Cucumber and Tonic

An evolution of soda water with bitters, think of this as a spin on the gin and tonic. Vegetal cucumber and herby mint replace the botanicals in the gin. If tonic water is too bitter for you, swap in soda water instead. And, if you're eschewing alcohol in all its forms, skip the bitters. (They do contain alcohol, though it's diluted here.)

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cucumber, preferably hothouse
• 4 thin slices of lime
• 2 sprigs mint
•  Tonic or soda water, to taste
•  Peychaud's bitters, to taste (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber lengthwise until you have long, wide ribbons.
2. Place a few slices of lime and mint leaves in the bottom of a Collins glass, or other tall glass, and, using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle them to release the juices in the lime and oils in the mint. Add a few strips of cucumber and fill the glass with ice (crushed, if you’ve got it).
3. Top with tonic water and a few dashes of bitters, if using.