And While We’re at It…Cucumber Gin Rickey Recipe

A gin rickey is like a gin and tonic, only with club soda: no sugar! No sugar, no sodium…how dietetic can you get?

Unless you squeeze a lot of lime or lemon into a gin rickey, it can be, on the whole, bland. On the other hand, it must be allowed that a large cold glass of plain carbonated water (slightly adulterated with alcohol) is mighty refreshing at the end of a 109-degree day.

To make it even more refreshing — and rather tasty — add a slice of cucumber.

The strategy:

Slice off a piece of Armenian cucumber (the kind that comes sealed in plastic) or peel a length of regular cuke (the kind that comes slathered in wax that you can’t wash off) and cut a peeled slice off that. One or the other — doesn’t matter ; just evade the wax.

Drop the cucumber slice into the bottom of a tall glass. Take a spoon and bash it a bit, within reason.

Add a jigger of gin. Squeeze an eighth or a quarter of a lemon over this (depending on the lemon’s size). Let it sit for a minute or so, maybe, depending on your sense of urgency.

Now add a few ice cubes, as desired. Fill to the top with club soda, preferably cold.

You could, in theory, drop in a sprig of mint.

Absolute, perfect refreshment.