Recipe: Cucumber Gin & Tonic Pitcher Cocktail

My favorite cocktail is a gin and tonic. But sometimes, even if I use extra-fancy tonic water and good gin, it feels like it just needs a little bit more. Sure, a lime will do, but what about something a touch different? Something that could transform it into a party-ready cocktail rather than the quiet cocktail I sip on Sunday evenings. The answer to this dilemma is a slew of cucumbers — oh, and a big ol’ pitcher so that it can be batched and served up to whatever thirsty crowd you happen to invite over.

Icy-cold gin and tonics are extra refreshing in their most classic form, but add muddled cucumbers to the mix and they are even more so. The cucumbers add a fresh, green bite to the drink that complements gin’s herbal flavor and tonic’s gentle bitterness. Tossing all three ingredients into a pitcher means you’ve got a cocktail that is party-ready — all you need is a handful of ice-filled glasses for your friends to grab from and serve themselves with.

If you’re looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it an impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it’s as easy as three ingredients and your largest pitcher. That’s all it takes to kick off the party.