Cucumber Mint Gimlet

1. These may be a little dangerous due to their refreshing, delicious flavor and large quantity of alcohol but I am here to tell you they are the best new summer cocktail I have found!!!

   
   

   Cucumber Mint Gimlet

   
   

   
   

   4 1/2 cups Cucumber Gin (or 2 oz.), how-to follows 

   2 1/4 cups fresh lime juice (or 1 oz.) 

   1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Mint Simple Syrup (or 1/2 oz.), how-to follows 

   Cucumber peels, for garnish 

   Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

   
   

   Cucumber Gin:

   Steep 2 1/2 cups diced, peeled cucumber in 4 1/2 cups gin, covered and chilled, 8 hours to 4 days (or 1/2 cup cucumber in 1 cup gin). Strain; store indefinitely in the refrigerator. 

   
   

   
   

   Mint Simple Syrup:

   Heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water over medium-high heat, stirring until dissolved. Add 1 cup mint leaves; remove from heat. Cover; steep 30 minutes to 1 hour. Strain; discard mint. Refrigerate up to 2 months. 

   
   

   
   

   In a 2-quart pitcher, stir gin, lime juice, and syrup. Refrigerate. 

   
   

   
   

   
   

   To serve, pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and divide among ice-filled 10-ounce glasses. (For a single drink, mix in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake.) Garnish each with cucumber peel and mint.

   
   

   ENJOY!!!!