Are you in the mood for an incredible, speakeasy-style craft cocktail with a floral twist? If so, this lime, gin and cucumber cocktail, also affectionately known as the Juliet and Romeo is for you. Come along as I show you how to make this.
Lime, Gin Made Better
A few years ago I adopted gin as my liquor of choice. I love the botanical flavors it adds to any drink. Pairing lime, gin and tonic water was my go to, simple cocktail. That was, until I ordered the “Juliet and Romeo” and my life was forever changed.
My love affair with this drink began in the speakeasy style cocktail lounge, The Patterson House in Nashville. A dear friend suggested I order this drink. I read the description: lime, gin, mint, cucumber and rose water.
I’ve been a lover of rose-flavored food for as long as I could remember, but I had not seen it used in a cocktail until this moment. One sip, and I knew I was in love.
Floral and herbal, refreshing and delicious, its flavors paired remarkably well, and transported me briefly to an English garden. My mission was clear: I needed to find a way to replicate this drink at home.
Lime, gin, cucumber, mint, rose water, simple syrup (not pictured) and bitters complete the list of ingredients.
A few simple ingredients are all that is needed to make this recipe. I realize that not everyone has rose water lying around in their cupboard, so you may need to pick some up. I’ve had the bottle pictured above for years, and it’s still halfway full. It lasts a long time because its flavor is so concentrated that you only need a small amount.
Any good gin will do, however, I highly recommend using Esmé gin in this particular recipe due to its cucumber and rose petal notes.
Fresh lime, cucumber, mint, simple syrup, plus bitters for the garnish complete the list of ingredients.
Fresh squeezed lime juice.
Start by squeezing fresh limes. You’ll need about 1 oz for this Juliet and Romeo drink.
Cucumber and mint, muddled.
Next, add the cucumber slices and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle to release the fragrance and flavor of the mint and cucumber. Add the lime, gin, simple syrup, 2 drops of rose water and ice. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass.
I use a coupe glass, as that is how it was served to me at the Patterson House, and anytime I can replicate an amazing past experience, I try and do so. But other glasses could work as well, such as a rocks glass.
And by the way, I picked up my coupe glasses at Goodwill for 99 cents. No need to spend a ton on these.
Garnish by placing 1 smaller mint leaf in the center of the glass and carefully place 3 drops of bitters around the leaf. Since I’m a rose fanatic, I also usually add an additional drop of rose water on top of the mint leaf, but that is not required. I find that the two drops used in the drink are plenty.
The final product, with the mint leaf and bitters garnish.
This drink is so lovely and refreshing and is probably my favorite drink, although my grapefruit mint margarita is a close runner-up. If you enjoyed this drink, please leave a comment and let me know. Follow along on Instagram and Pinterest and sign up for our email list to receive great drink and food recipes directly in your inbox.
Cheers friends!
This lime, gin and cucumber cocktail incorporates mint and rosewater to add an incredible infusion of floral/herbal flavor.
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz simple syrup .....you can buy premade or make it yourself by combining equal parts sugar and water and bringing to a boil
- 3 drops rose water divided
- 3 drops bitters
- 1 sprig mint .....plus one small leaf for garnish
- 3 slices cucumber
- 1 cup ice
Muddle cucumber and mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Add the lime juice, gin, simple syrup and two drops of rose water and ice.
Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
Strain and pour into a glass.
Garnish with 1 mint leaf, 3 drops of bitters surrounding the leaf, and 1 drop of rose water on top of the leaf (optional).
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