Cucumber Mezcal Cooler

Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Cucumber Mezcal Cooler cocktail containing English cucumber peeled, Salt, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Suze Aperitif, Liber & Co. Demerara Gum Syrup, Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice in a Old-Fashioned.

Curiada Ingredients

1.00 fl oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal or alternative
0.75 fl oz Suze Aperitif or alternative
0.25 fl oz Liber & Co. Demerara Gum Syrup or alternative

Other Ingredients

3.00 slice English cucumber peeled
1.00 pinch Salt
0.25 fl oz Freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice

Directions

Muddle cucumber slices and salt in base of shaker
Add remaining ingredients to shaker
Add ice to shaker and shake well
Fill old-fashioned glass with ice
Strain mixture into ice-filled glass
Garnish with cucumber slice and dust with cinnamon

Cocktail Description

This smoky and herbaceous cooler masterfully balances mezcal's intensity with refreshing cucumber and tart grapefruit, creating a cocktail that's both sophisticated and deeply refreshing.

The Cucumber Mezcal Cooler delivers a complex flavor journey, opening with vegetal cucumber freshness before revealing layers of earthy mezcal smoke, Suze's gentian bitterness, and bright citrus notes from the pink grapefruit juice. The demerara syrup provides subtle depth and sweetness, while the cinnamon dust garnish adds an aromatic spice element that complements the mezcal's character. Perfect for warm summer evenings or as a pre-dinner aperitif, this cocktail shines when paired with grilled fish tacos, spicy Mexican street corn, or manchego cheese with quince paste. While it requires a few specialty ingredients and some muddling technique, the preparation is straightforward enough for home bartenders with basic skills, making it an impressive yet achievable signature drink for your next gathering.