Cucumber Watermelon Martinis are crisp, cool, perfectly sweet and refreshing!
There’s something about watching the Olympics every night that putting me into a boozy kind of mood.
I don’t know what it is! I feel like I should be all, let’s drink protein shakes and lift! while watching the super athletes swim, dive, and handspring their way into athletic immortality, but in reality I’m all, pass me a Corona…and make sure there’s two limes in it this time.
The fact that the heaviest watermelon Ben and I could find after rifling through the watermelon bin at Costco last weekend (that’s right) has been sitting on my counter top next to a rapidly growing pile of cucumbers from my garden all week, made my decision to make a batch of ultra-girly Cucumber Watermelon Martinis to sip on while watching tonight’s gymnastics all-around competition a no-brainer. (Go Gabby!)
Cucumber Watermelon Martinis are sweet, cold, frothy and refreshing, and, better yet, perfectly match the London Olympics gymnastic stadium’s floor, which is oddly, yet pleasantly, PINK this year. :)
Start the Cucumber Watermelon Martini by making the cucumber simple syrup that will flavor the watermelon juice-based martini. This stuff is so simple (HA!) to make. Just peel then slice a large cucumber (reserving a few slices before peeling for garnish if you want to get all fan-cay with it.)
Next combine 1 cup each sugar and water in a small saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a boil for 10 seconds, then remove it from the heat. Seriously, that’s it.
Add the cucumber slices then allow them to steep and flavor the simple syrup until it comes to room temperature.
Strain the cucumber simple syrup into a jar with a tight fitting lid, then stash it in the fridge. It’ll stay good in there for up to a month!
Next consult your watermelon. That’d be this guy. I chopped ’em up at 6:30 this morning so a single iPhone photo was all I could manage in between gulps of coffee. BTW – here is how I choose then cut a watermelon. This 15+ pounder yielded 24 CUPS of melon!
When you’re reading to make your ‘tinis add 2 cups watermelon cubes to a blender then let ‘er rip. We’re looking for watermelon juice here, which won’t take long to make!
Pour 1 cup of the watermelon juice into a martini shaker, along with 1 1/2-2oz cucumber simple syrup (depending on how sweet ya’ like it) 3oz vodka and the juice of 1/2 lime.
Add ice then, shake, shake, shake! Shake, shake, shake! Shake yo’ mar-ti-ni…shake yo’ mar-ti-ni!
Enjoy this summery cocktail out by the pool, with your girlfriends, on the porch at sunset, or while watching Michael Phelps beat the snot out of Ryan Lochte in the 200 meter individual relay, which is also airing tonight. I’M JUST SAYING! ;)
Cucumber Watermelon Martini
Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 cups chopped watermelon (need 1 cup juice total)
3oz vodka
1 1/2 – 2oz cucumber simple syrup (depending on sweet you want the martini)
juice of 1/2 lime
ice
For the Cucumber Simple Eyrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 large cucumber, peeled & sliced
Directions:
- Prepare the Cucumber Simple Syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil for 10 seconds then remove from the heat and add cucumber slices. Allow syrup to come to room temperature, then strain into a jar and place into the refrigerator to chill. Syrup will be good for up to a month.
- Place watermelon into a blender and blend until smooth. Measure out 1 cup juice then pour into a martini shaker with vodka, cucumber simple syrup, and lime juice, then fill the shaker 3/4 of the way full with ice and shake. Strain into two martini glasses and serve.
Happy sipping!
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I recently made Cucumber Infused Vodka, I tried the recipe above by omitting the syrup and adding the Cuke Vodka in place of regular vodka….Excellent!!!
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Fruit cocktail recipes 08.07.2012
This is a great recipe! It looks delicious and low calorie. It will be a great addition to my work out plan.
Amy 08.04.2012
Just saying I’ve been making these for a couple of days now – they’re terrific! The cucumber syrup really makes it zing.
If you have any ideas for autumn apple based cocktails, they’d be appreciated – looking ahead to September :)
Iowa Girl Eats 08.05.2012
This is my FAVORITE Fall cocktail! http://tampopopress.blogspot.com/2010/09/ginger-apple-bourbon.html
Amy 08.04.2012
Love your blog and the photos you take are always amazing! If you don’t mind sharing, what is the background you’re using that is the hard wood? Love it!
Iowa Girl Eats 08.05.2012
Thanks! It’s just flat wood slats glued together (Ben made it.) Here’s the tutorial he followed! http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2011/04/diy-distressed-wood-photo-backdrop.html
Val 08.03.2012
How refreshing and utterly delicious.
Ksenija 08.03.2012
What an amazing idea! Especially the cucumber syrup sounds so exciting and refreshing. Cannot wait to have a try… probably you could also use this in different ways? With a dry white wine for example?
Iowa Girl Eats 08.05.2012
That sounds awesome!
Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin 08.03.2012
These look incredible!! I am having some girl friends over tomorrow night for drinks and appetizers and I think I’ve found the cocktail of the night :) Thanks!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles 08.02.2012
This is like the definition of a girly drink. And of course, anythign with watermelon is awesome.
Jackie 08.02.2012
Love your blog!! I have been reading for a bit now and made a few of your recipes, a few times each (warm caprese salad mad sweet corn bulgar what to ame a few!) and we’re definitely awesomeness. Just went to read your “how to pick a watermelon” post and saw we are exact birthday buddies- to the year I think (83?? Yikes!) which I just wanted to wish you a pretty belated birthday! Love the blog-keep it coming!!
Iowa Girl Eats 08.05.2012
Ahhaha, yep ’83 – crazy! Happy belated bday to you too! ;)
Barbara Miehls 08.02.2012
Iowa girl, your taste buds are genius. Had a watermelon martini recipe. It was well received, this one could beat it.
Construction Equipment Houston 08.02.2012
Sounds so refreshing and summery!
kim@hungryhealthygirl 08.02.2012
What a refreshing treat! It has watermelon and cucumbers,so it’s healthy, right?!?
Katie 08.02.2012
what an awesome martini! I will definitely be trying these. :)
Andrea 08.02.2012
This looks awesome! And now I feel better that I’m not the only one enjoying an Olympic-style thirsty Thursday :)
Em 08.02.2012
I would love to swim in an Olympic-sized pool of these!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) 08.02.2012
This is the prettiest girly drink I’ve ever seen!