Sparkling Cucumber Lime Gin Cooler

As the craziness of our current situation rages on, now is a better time than ever to prioritize your health. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anything! Continue to have fun, but make your choices “cleaner;” especially in this gorgeous green sparkling cocktail. This spring Sparkling Cucumber Lime Gin Cooler made with vodka or gin makes a beautiful naturally green party cocktail.

How to Add Natural Green Color

Love beautiful colors in your food and drinks, but not sure how to add them without the usual green dye? While many aspects of the wellness world are debated, even conventional medicine/food seems to have acknowledged the dangers of artificial colors, as made evident by the mass overhaul of processed foods switching to natural coloring.

Luckily, your Christmas, sports teams, St Patrick’s Day, and other green party/holiday favorites don’t have to suffer either! You can go simple by grabbing some natural coloring or making some of your own (my preferred method). Here’s some great ideas to “go GREEN:”

• Make some green food coloring from spinach
• Add some matcha or spirulina power (both have pretty strong flavors so better to be used when this won’t affect your final dishes flavor)
• Add to your dish or puree/strain/add or garnish a cocktail: green apples, kiwi, green grapes, cucumbers, mint, limes, or honeydew.

Beginner Bartending 101 – Become a Bartender Tonight!

Bartending not your expertise?! Me either – but I love healthy options and I love entertaining. That’s why every cocktail you’ll find in this blog is easy to make at home, quick, and made with gluten-free, natural ingredients!

My expertise is in finding healthy, wholesome ingredients that are easier for those with autoimmune issues, worried about their health, super into fitness, or simply to eat cleaner for more energy! When I began eating healthier, I spent a ton of time researching, as didn’t want my social life and fun foods to fall at the wayside. I didn’t want to feel deprived and neither should you have to, so I’m here to help you do the same.

The Healthy Cocktail Ingredients

Let’s get started with some GREEN entertaining! This cocktail begins with high-quality gluten free liquor (see below for a little more info). This is pureed in blender with cucumber and mint (which add both flavor and green color). This is then strained to make it smoother.

Raw honey and lime juice are mixed in to add a fresh, and lightly sweet, smooth flavor! Garnishes and cubed ice can be added into (2) 16 oz highball glasses, the green puree is divided evenly amongst them, and they are topped with sparkling water for an even lighter, refreshing finish.

Depending on what you’re serving these cocktails for, you may want to add some fun party picks (for this one I used cute sparkly green shamrocks for St Patrick’s Day), lime wedges, cucumber pieces, and whole mint leaves for even more green!

The ingredients for this recipe make two full cocktails, but if you’re having a party, you’ll likely want to double or quadruple it which should be easy given the even measurements below!

Is There Gluten in Gin? Vodka?

Gluten-free? This can be a hot topic as most liquor made from wheat is said to be distilled enough to remove the gluten. However, being extra sensitive, I’d always recommend being safe vs sorry and choosing liquor made from non-gluten containing ingredients.

Both vodkas and gins can be commonly made from wheat, so I opt to research my favorite brands prior. In this case, this recipe has the option for either vodka or gin, depending on personal taste preference.

Vodka created a slightly milder, sweeter flavor in the final cocktail. I used Titos Vodka, which is made from corn.

Gin created a slightly earthier, deeper yet slightly more refreshing final cocktail. Prairie Organic Gin or Aviation American Gin are both great options.

Get Your Healthy Party Ready!

As always, you can get the party (or nightcap) going and keep your health how it should be! So grab your favorite gluten free cocktails and healthy party recipes and get started!

Here’s to drinking healthy, keeping it naturally green, colorful parties, and regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧