Let me guess, you love a good cocktail but you’re eating “clean” right now.
Or, you’re doing your first Whole 30 and you are DYING for a delicious beverage that makes you feel like you are participating in something special.
Isn’t that what cocktails are all about? Celebrating and participating in special moments and events with a little indulgent alcoholic beverage to seal the occasion?!
And, sometimes they’re perfect for making those ordinary moments feel special. Sometimes, you don’t even need a reason to enjoy a good beverage. Especially if it’s this Cucumber Gin Fizz Cocktail or Mocktail.
Cocktail or Mocktail
Well, if you are looking to celebrate those ordinary days or extraordinary, this gin tonic cocktail remix is going to make you smile! This Cucumber Gin Fizz will even make your taste buds smile a bit. If you’re looking for a more traditional holiday cocktail, try the No Simple Syrup Maple Old Fashioned.
But, fear not! If you are doing a Whole30, Keto, Bulletproof, AIP, Paleo or other diet and you really don’t want to cheat, I’m sure a Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail will bring a little extraordinary to your hydration game and some joy to your day.
How to Make My Cocktail Paleo or Whole30 Compliant
WHOLE 30
So, as promised, here is my recommendation for making this Cucumber Gin Fizz a Whole30 compliant and/or Paleo approved drink.
For a Whole30 compliant drink, simply skip all alcohol. That’s it. This drink is 100% Whole30 if you omit the gin.
Now, we could have a big discussion about SWYPO here, but I think that is something you will personally have to evaluate based on your Whole30 and your personal needs and goals.
Since we are on the topic of skipping the alcohol, here is a really good read: How to Drink Alcohol without Ruining your Paleo Diet or Getting a Hangover.
PALEO
Which transitions me into making this a Paleo drink.
How can I make this Cucumber Gin Fizz paleo?
Hate to break it to you, but if you are hard-core Paleo, you already know this.
Alcohol isn’t really Paleo.
The above article is pretty spot on and provides healthy ways to approach alcohol. I also think you’ll agree that living a 100% perfectly Paleo diet isn’t really possible or necessary for most.
This Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail or Cocktail can be made with gin and still be an almost Paleo drink as the mixers are all sugar free (naturally sweetened with fruit). It’s basically soda water and gin with the perfect sweet and sour from the lime and the perfect zesty zip from the raw ginger root.
Also, it’s a perfect cocktail choice if you are watching your carbs (Keto) and eating clean (Paleo). Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail or Cocktail uses 1/2 a lime which also helps with insulin sensitivity! Bonus! It’s really a very healthy drink if you are going to drink.
Hopefully you’ve just skipped ahead to the recipe by now! But, here you have it: Cucumber Gin Fizz Cocktail or Mocktail; delicious to enjoy with any meal from my blog but I especially recommend a mocktail version with my Whole30 and Paleo Sweet Potato Nachos or Easy Chicken Stir Fry| 20 Minute Meal. Enjoy!
Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail or Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz Gin
- Cucumber
- 2 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/2 tsp Grated Ginger Root
- 8 oz Club Soda/Soda Water
- 1/2 Fresh Lime
Instructions
- Begin by dicing the cucumber into small cubes. Use enough to cover the bottom of the glass (about 2 slices diced).
- Cut a piece of ginger root and peel the outer bark. Using a grater, or garlic mincer, grate about 1/2 a tsp of ginger root into the glass.
- Squeeze 1/2 a lime into the glass.
- Add two mint leaves.
- Pour 1 oz. of gin into the mix. Muddle the contents together with a muddler or a heavy spoon (I use my meat hammer).
- Let set for about 10 minutes.
- Add some ice and club soda. Remove any annoying leaves and particles and garnish with a fresh leaf.
Notes
- Paleo- You know that alcohol isn’t really Paleo. But, this recipe doesn’t need any other adaptations except to remove the gin to be a very Paleo compliant mocktail.
- Keto- You will be at 77 calories if you make this with Vodka but your net carbs remain at 3.8g. I recommend keeping the recipe as is and possibly subbing out the lime to reduce carbs (although, the lime has so many other health benefits like helping with insulin sensitivity).
- Whole 30- Omit the alcohol.
- Extra Delicious and Indulgent? You can use 1/2 ginger beer and 1/2 club soda for some added spice and flavor.