Name: Jalapeno-Infused Avocado Cucumber Cocktail
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 3/4 cup gin or vodka; 1 jalapeno; 1 avocado; 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (plus zest of two limes and slices of lime to serve.); 1/4 cup coconut water (optional); 1/2 cup grapefruit soda; 3 tsp agave nectar or about 4 tsp. simple syrup (agave is sweeter); 4-5 slices cucumber (skins removed); 2 cups ice; 1/2 cup turbinado sugar or regular sugar (for rim of glass); *If you don' have coconut water just replace with more grapefruit soda

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As I type, it’s 90 degrees outside….so it’s friggin hot. I’m not complaining though. I like warmth as long as I am surrounded in air conditioning, HA! Since it’s feeling like summer around these parts, I’m sharing a beverage that’s so damn refreshing it should be illegal. This insanely delicious beverage is a jalapeno-infused avocado cucumber cocktail. Yes, I said avocado, cucumber, and jalapeno folks. Just trust me, once you try it, you will completely understand. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to fist pump the air and say YEAAAAAHHHHHHH (think Lil Jon)!

The idea for this drink came to me when I woke up this morning. It was so weird…the first thought that popped into my head was “Avocado Margarita”, which is even weirder because I barely drink. As soon as the idea popped into my head I thought it was brilliant, and for a second, wondered if I was the first person to come up with this idea (hysterical right?). Well wouldn’t you know that this awesome drink has already been created at a famous Austin, TX Mexican restaurant and has been recreated by some very popular blogs. Instead of looking like a copycat, I decided to create my own version of an avocado cocktail, and boy am I glad I did!

Because I’m such a lightweight, I can’t stand cocktails or drinks where all you taste is liquor. However, I do have an appreciation for those extra fancy drinks made by guys wearing suspenders with full beards and long mustaches. They do tend to make the BEST drinks, don’t they? Well today I think I’ve created a libation that could rival any hipster bar around.

The secret is in the jalapeno-infused gin. You could totally use vodka instead of gin in this drink too. The jalapeno makes the gin nice and spicy, while avocado, lime, and cucumber makes it creamy, cool, and refreshing. It might seem like overkill, but I added coconut water and grapefruit soda to give a summery flavor. Adding ice makes it nice and cold too, but in no way should it be in the same category as those fake margaritas with food coloring and cheap tequila. This drink is in a class of its own.

To make the jalapeno-infused gin, simply cut one jalapeno in half and add to a jar of gin. Let it sit overnight or up to three days. Strain out the pepper and seeds and keep it refrigerated for whenever you want to use it.

I rubbed a slice of lime on the rim and dipped the rim in turbinado sugar and lime zest. Regular sugar works great too.

Throw the avocado, skinned cucumber slices, gin, coconut water, grapefruit soda or club soda, and agave nectar or simple syrup in a blender, and voila! I don’t like using agave nectar for anything but cocktails. It blends well with fruit-infused drinks, but simple syrup (sugar and water melted together) works perfectly too.

OMG, she’s so beautiful, isn’t she?!

Get your summer party on! Let me know in the comments below if you make this drink.

Bon Appetit Ya’ll,

Leslie O.