I’m so happy to be teaming up with Tadin Tea for this next post. Tea is something I’ve always incorporated into my recipe developing at home and behind the bar. This Aloe Cucumber Cooler is so refreshing and the perfect cocktail for the warm months ahead.
Usually, when I use tea in cocktails I gravitate towards the more floral and fruity teas. The selection of teas Tadin has available was so impressive. Tadin has been creating unique tea blends since 1982 that are all naturally good for you. Immediately I knew I wanted to use the aloe vera cactus tea in a cocktail. Drinking aloe has numerous health benefits such as extra hydration, aids in liver function, healthy skin, and digestion. I guess healthy cocktails are kind of my thing lately. 😉
Aloe Cucumber Cooler, serves 1
2 oz. Hendrick’s gin
1 oz. aloe vera juice
1/2 oz. lime juice
3/4 oz. tea syrup (using Tadin aloe vera with cactus tea)
cucumber slices and mint, for muddling
top with club soda
cucumber ribbons and mint sprigs for garnish
Making tea syrup is so easy and such a great way to add extra flavor to your drinks and simple syrup. First, brew the tea. I used 3 tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes and then discard the tea bags. While the tea is still hot, add the same amount of sugar to make a 1:1 tea simple syrup.
Regarding the aloe juice, I bought mine packaged. I wanted to juice it fresh but the day I was looking for it, of course, it was nowhere to be found. I’ve linked to the one I used above. If you can find that brand I suggest using it. It is 99.8% aloe. Make sure whatever aloe juice you’re buying has no added sugars, is made from 100% pure aloe, and is made from the inner gel fillet. So many of the aloe drinks on the market are flavored and have lots of additives and sugar.
Now you can build your cocktail. Add aloe vera juice, lime juice, tea syrup, cucumber, and mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle lightly. Next, add your gin then shake with ice and strain into a highball glass. Top with soda and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig. To make cucumber ribbons I used a mandolin slicer.
This Aloe Cucumber Cooler turned out way better than I anticipated. It’s:
Cold
Refreshing
Fizzy
Earthy
Herbal
Hydrating
I was a little nervous how well the tea and actual aloe juice would work in a cocktail but the results are amazing. The tea is super herbal and earthy which goes so well with muddled mint and cucumber. Also, I decided to use Hendrick’s gin to add extra cucumber and floral notes to this drink. Feel free to use any gin or even vodka if that’s your preference. I will certainly be consuming a lot of these this Summer. Can we hydrate our livers and drink at the same time? I’m not sure but it’s worth a shot!
Also, make sure you head over to Instagram to enter the giveaway I’m hosting with Tadin Teas. One lucky winner will win Tadin Teas entire collection. That’s 33 different teas! I’d love to see you mix up your own Tadin Teas cocktails at home. Good luck everyone!
