The Cucamelon Cocktail combines the botanicals of a dry gin with citrus notes in a Gimlet style drink that’s bright and refreshing.
Cucamelon Cocktail – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Cucamelons are known by several names including Mexican sour gherkin and mouse melons. They grow on a vine during summer and produce the cutest fruit that looks like a mini watermelon and tastes like a cucumber with a hint of lime. If you’re contemplating growing an edible garden and you have the space for a vine, the plant is easy to grow and is relatively pest free. You can read more about growing cucamelons here.
We’ve previously featured a cocktail with cucuamlons, namely the Shiso Cuce which combines blanco tequila, shiso syrup with the unusual fruit in a tall, refreshing drink served over ice. In this cocktail, we’re pairing it with a dry gin. The citrus tang of the cucamelon lends itself to a Gimlet style cocktail where the fruit is muddled and shaken with gin, freshly squeezed lime juice and simple syrup. A few drops of saline brighten the flavours and enhance the citrus notes.
In this case, we recommend a dry, juniper-forward gin or one with a citrus and coriander backbone for optimum flavour.
Cucamelon Cocktail Recipe
Original recipe created by Cocktails & Bars
Ingredients
- 60ml dry gin (juniper forward)
- 30ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 20ml simple syrup (1:1)
- 4 cucamelons, cut in half
- 3 drops of saline solution
Glassware: coupette
Garnish: cucamelon on a skewer
Method
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucamelon pieces with lime juice and simple syrup. Add gin, ice and shake hard until cold. Strain into a chilled coupette. Add 3 drops of saline solution or a small pinch of sea salt and garnish with a cucamelon on a skewer.
For a variation on this cucamelon cocktail, use blanco tequila instead of gin.
