EASTER FRIDAY COCKTAIL - CUCUMBER MINT GIMLET

Great signature cocktail for your Easter crowd. You could substitute vodka for the gin, but then it isn't quite a true gimlet. These green-checked napkins are a perfect match to the color of this cocktail.

Ingredients:
4-1/2 cups Cucumber Gin (see below)
2-1/4 cups fresh lime juice
1 cup plus 2 tbl Mint simple syrup (see below)
Cucumber peels
Mint sprigs

Cucumber Gin: Steep 2-1/2 cups peeled cucumber in 4-1/2 cups gin. Cover and chill 8 hours to 4 days. Strain out cucumber and store in the refrigerator until you Drink It Up.

Mint Simple Syrup: Mix 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water and heat until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup mint leaves and remove from heat. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes to an hour. Strain and discard mint leaves. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

To prepare cocktails: In a 2 quart pitcher combine gin, lime juice and syrup. Refrigerate for about an hour. Fill cocktail shaker with ice and cocktail mixture. Shake and pour into ice filled cocktail glasses. Serve with a cucumber peel and mint sprig. So refreshing!

HAPPY EASTER!
ENJOY!