Original Recipe: Almost Pickled in Havasu

Last week I taught a private cocktail class to some fine folks in Lake Havasu, AZ, centered around vodka drinks. We made three cocktails together, including a custom recipe I created just for their class -- their big responsibility was to name it! I've been told that the official name of this refreshing cocktail is Almost Pickled In Havasu, and that it will be enjoyed poolside on hot days. Check out the recipe below!

Almost Pickled In Havasu

1.5 oz vodka (or gin!)
3-4 cucumber slices
4-5 drops saline solution*
about 3 oz chilled tonic water for topping up

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber and vodka together until the cuke is nice and mashed up. Shake with ice, strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. If you don't want pulp, double strain using a tea strainer. 

2. Add the saline solution, then top up with a good quality chilled tonic water, such as Fever Tree or Q Tonic. 

3. Gently stir, and garnish with a cucumber wheel. 

*To make the saline solution, dissolve 1/2 tsp of Himalayan pink salt into a heavy half ounce of hot water. Store in the fridge.