Cucumber and Gin Sorbet with a hint of mint

This particular sorbet is refreshing and sweet, with a lovely hit of gin and mint.  I love cucumber in salads and fresh juices and have been tempted to make a sorbet with cucumber in it, for a while.

Don’t add the mint to a hot sugar syrup – it wilts and tastes a bit odd. Wait for the syrup to cool down a bit before you steep the mint in the liquid.

Hot, sticky days? You need a scoop or three of this, enjoyed in the shade and or served pool-side. Hello Summer!

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 large cucumbers, peeled

200 g caster sugar

200 ml water

35 ml glucose powder

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 t salt

16 mint leaves

160 ml gin (I used Jorgensen’s Distillery artisanal gin)

Method

1. Juice cucumber in juicer or blend with a stick blender till smooth. Leave in fridge until needed.

2. In a pot on medium-high heat, add the sugar, water and glucose. Once the mixture starts to boil, add the salt and lemon juice. Make sure all sugar is dissolved and take off heat. Leave for 5 minutes.

3. Stack mint leaves one on top of the other and slice finely ( technique is called: chiffonade) . Add to the warm liquid and leave somewhere to cool completely. Allow to steep for 45 minutes, at least.

4. When cool, add cucumber juice and pour mixture through a strainer. perched over a bowl, to remove mint and any lumpy bits.

6. Pour the gin into the cucumber mix, mix through and churn in an ice cream maker for 60 minutes or follow David Lebovitz’s  manual instructions here.  Add to suitable freezer container, wrap in cling film and store for 5 hours or overnight.

Serve in small glasses with a sprig of mint, or a a palate refresher between courses.