Surely drinking green things is good for you. And tequila is chockablock full of antioxidants, right? OK, sadly that’s not true, but this refreshing green sipper is ideal for your mental health during these last few summer evenings of the year. Cool, crisp cucumber and zesty lime get goosed with a surprise jalapeno kick. It’s sweetened with a touch of agave, which enhances tequila’s smoky qualities.
As with all liquor, I beg of you – don’t buy the cheapest thing on the bottom shelf just because its going into a mixed drink. Spend a couple extra dollars for decent booze. It makes for a smoother, more nuanced drink, and it doesn’t taste like battery acid. I prefer a reposado tequila for this cocktail for a bit more depth of flavor, but a tequila blanco would also work.
Viva Verde Cocktail 2 servings
1 seedless cucumber, peeled
¾ cup water
¼ cup lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 Tbsp. minced jalapeno with seeds
2 Tbsp. agave plus more to taste
3 oz. tequila, divided
• Peel the cucumber and slice off 2 small rounds for garnish. Set aside the rounds and chop the remaining cucumber.
• Pulse the chopped cucumber, water, lime juice, jalapeno and agave in a blender until completely liquefied. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the juice into a bowl, pressing the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids. Refrigerate the juice at least 1 hour until chilled.
• Add half the juice mixture, 1½ ounces tequila and a handful of ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Shake hard 30 seconds, then strain into a martini glass. Repeat with the remaining juice and tequila. Garnish each glass with a slice of cucumber.
This article appears in September 2014.