Cucumber Lime Mint Sake Spritz
Cool cucumber, fresh mint, lime, and sake make a clean, bubbly spritz for an easy afternoon pour.
Prep: 10 · Cook: · Total: 10 · Serves: 2 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (88 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
This original spritz treats cucumber as the main flavor rather than a garnish. Dry sake gives the drink a subtle savory edge while lime and mint keep it bright.
Story
I wanted a drink that tasted like opening the windows after a hot day. The cucumber does the cooling, the lime keeps the glass awake, and the sake gives it a soft little backbone without crowding the mint. Make two at once because one disappears before the ice has finished cracking.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tiny pinch fine salt
- 3 ounces chilled dry sake
- 1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces chilled sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- 2 mint sprigs
- 2 cucumber ribbons
Instructions
- Add the cucumber, mint, sugar, and salt to a cocktail shaker and muddle until the cucumber is juicy and the mint smells bright.
- Fill the shaker with ice, add the sake and lime juice, and shake for 10 seconds.
- Fill two tall glasses with fresh ice and strain the cucumber mixture evenly between them.
- Top each glass with sparkling water, leaving space for a gentle stir.
- Stir each drink once from the bottom up so the flavors combine without flattening the bubbles.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and cucumber ribbon, then serve immediately.
Chef Tips
- Use a dry sake so the cucumber and lime stay crisp rather than syrupy.
- Muddle firmly enough to release juice, but do not pulverize the mint or it can taste bitter.
- Chill the sparkling water before mixing for the liveliest finish.
- For a zero-proof glass, replace the sake with chilled white grape juice and add extra lime.
Cook's Notes
- **Cucumber:** Use a firm English cucumber for the cleanest flavor.
- **Bubbles:** Add sparkling water last.
- **Balance:** Taste the cucumber before adding more sugar.