Cucumber Cooler

So, while writing this post on this random Wednesday evening, I happened to be watching the Detroit Tigers baseball game, which was in the 9th inning.  Their pitcher, Armando Galarraga, was on the final out of a perfect game.  He had one more batter to face.  He would have been the 21st pitcher to pitch a perfect game in all of baseball history.

But it was not to be.  Not because he didn't deserve it, but rather, because of a bad call.  The play in question, a play in which Galarraga covered first as the first baseman was pulled off the bag to field the hit, wasn't even close.  The baserunner was out by a full step.

It's sad.  Galarraga deserved the perfect game.  This is likely to haunt him for the rest of his life.  The ump too though will suffer.  This game, this call, will haunt him for the rest of his life.  It's terrible for everyone involved.

Interestingly enough, unbeknownst to me, I was watching the Indians feed.  I didn't realize it at the time, I thought I was watching the Tigers feed.  The Indians announcers, the opposing team's announcers, were baffled by the call.  I can't imagine how the Tigers broadcast must have sounded (actually, I switched over once I realized I was on the Indians broadcast, and let's just say that the Tigers announcers were pissed).

In better news though, we're a mere 9 days away from the United State v. England in the World Cup.  We'll delve more fully into the World Cup next week, as the group play gets underway.  The US team just arrived in South Africa, and the build-up is getting to me, bit by bit.  I've watched the Nike ad about 100 times by now, and each time I get really excited to see the US players (and Cesc too, obviously, throwing aside the newspaper).  If you haven't seen it, it's worth a couple minutes of your time.  Check it out, here. 

Today, we're drinking the Cucumber Cooler!  Perfect for the summer:

Recipe taken from Hendrick's Gin website, available here.

Cucumber Cooler

1 1/2 oz Hendrick's Gin
3/4 oz St. Germain
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz simple syrup
soda water
5 mint leaves

Place all ingredients but soda water in a long glass. Muddle gently. Add ice and top with soda water. Add a cucumber garnish.

This is a superb, refreshing, summer cocktail.  What exactly makes this cucumber-y enough to be called a Cucumber Cooler is admittedly a bit lost on me.  Sure, there is a cucumber garnish.  And, if you were to add the garnish to the mix, like dropping it in the drink, there would be an added cucumber flavor.  I will say that eating the cucumber garnish, as I have in this particular instance, is a nice compliment to the drink.  Know though that there isn't much of a cucumber flavor to the drink itself, as the name would suggest.

But no matter what you call the drink, it's good, and can easily be compared to other summer favorites like the Mojito and the Tom Collins - drinks that offer cooling refreshment by way of both ice and the addition of soda water. 

The mint leaves offer a nice addition as well, providing aromatics at the end of the drink that make for a quality finish.  Make a big batch of Cucumber Coolers for your next BBQ, or just make a couple for you and your better half.  You'll enjoy the cocktail, and it may give you a reason to purchase Hendrick's and St. Germain, two excellent bottles that should be in your collection.

Unfortunately, this is an abbreviated week due to the holiday and my impending departure to Detroit (Rock City) for my friends' wedding. 

Coming up next week...

Next week we're going to delve into some reader suggestions.  We've received some quality ideas recently from you all, and it's time to share the ideas with the masses.  We'll also revisit the Jack Rose, so look alive on that one.  As always, we here at the Amateur Mixologist appreciate your readership, comments, suggestions and feedback - and look forward to drinking with you all again soon.

Until then, cheers!  Have a great weekend!