Cucumber tonic mocktail

A refreshing, botanical drink, ideal for hot summer days without the bitterness of alcohol. When the temperature rises, I love turning to cucumber, it is thirst-quenching and adds a real touch of originality. In the Ninja Slushi, this mix with tonic transforms into an icy and highly pleasant drink, perfect to sip through a straw. The velvety texture of the filtered juice, combined with the zing of the lemon, makes it a must-have for my summer aperitifs.

Cucumber tonic mocktail

Recipe by Camille RoosCourse: Alcohol-free drinkCuisine: Difficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

10

minutes

Freeze time

45

minutes

Total time

55

minutes

A refreshing, botanical drink, ideal for hot summer days without the bitterness of alcohol.

Ingredients

• 350 ml fresh cucumber juice (blended and strained)

• 100 ml sugar syrup or honey

• 60 ml lemon juice

• 490 ml tonic water

Instructions

• Prepare the cucumber juice by blending fresh cucumber and then straining out the pulp. The sugar in the syrup is essential to ensure the mix sets without turning into a block of ice.
• In a container, mix the cucumber juice, sugar syrup, lemon juice, and tonic.
• Pour the mixture into the vessel of the Ninja Slushi, making sure to stay between the min and max lines.
• Select the Slush programme and let it run until you get a lovely icy texture (around 45 min).

Alcoholic version (Frozen Gin Tonic)

Add 100 ml of gin to the mixture (reducing the tonic water to 390 ml) and run the Frozen Cocktail programme.

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The importance of straining and sugar

Cucumber is 95% water, which makes it ultra-refreshing but a bit tricky to freeze without making a giant ice cube. This is where the sugar rule comes into play! With the Slushi, without a sufficient amount of sugar, the preparation will not set correctly. I generally use simple cane sugar syrup or honey to add texture. The other essential tip: strain the juice well after blending. If you leave the pulp in, you risk having a result that is too grainy on the palate. To compare with my cucumber mint granita with the Ninja Slushi, the texture obtained here by straining is infinitely more pleasant to sip.

Managing tonic bubbles

When you use tonic water or sparkling water in the vessel, you have to be careful about the foaming effect when pouring. Take it easy! The Slush programme is perfect for this alcohol-free preparation because it adjusts the cooling to keep the drink fluid. If your machine ever beeps, check that you have respected the max line, as the gas can cause the volume to rise at the start. And if you feel like exploring other botanical combinations, my coconut cucumber and lime slush is another beautiful summer idea.

Prefer a mocktail version or a splash of gin for this summer classic?

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace the sugar syrup with a sweetener?

It is risky. Sugar acts as a natural antifreeze in the Ninja Slushi. Without it, your mocktail risks freezing into a solid block and stalling the auger.

Why does my mocktail foam so much at the start?

Tonic releases its gas under the movement. Pour it in gently and wait a few moments for the bubbles to settle before starting the programme.

Is the Slush programme available on the small FS301 model?

Yes, the Slush programme is present on all models, including the FS301. Only the total capacity of the vessel varies.