Hold the Cucumber

The above title does not refer to a wild party game but a request I have received from a few folks—my housemate among them—to avoid using any cucumber in the preparation of food and drink. Apparently, there is a small number of people who have an intensely disagreeable response to what for most of us is a fairly bland item. Go figure.

But the cooler below creates much the same green, vegetal impression as a cucumber drink, and should avoid setting off whatever the offending receptor might be.



Cucumber Choke

• 1 1/2 oz pisco
• 1 1/2 oz Cynar
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• dash celery bitters
• 1 1/2 oz soda, or to taste

Shake all except soda, and strain into a double old fashioned. Add soda and fresh ice. Lime wheel, mint sprig.
ROWEN, FOGGED IN LOUNGE

Cynar and celery bitters seem like a natural pairing. The mint garnish contributes to the overall aroma of pseudo-cucumber-ness.