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The Cucumber Lime Zinger + 5 Years [Giveaway]

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Kitchen Konfidence is officially 5 years old!!  Gosh, can you believe it?!

Cucumber Lime Zinger Cocktail

I started Kitchen Konfidence back in 2010 as a way for me to express and share my passion for food through recipes and photography.  And I’m glad to say that Kitchen Konfidence continues to act as my creative happy space 5 years later.  I love cooking, I love photography and I love sharing my recipes.  I love that moment when someone tastes something I’ve made, and their eyes grow wide, the corners of their mouth turn up to a smile, and they exclaim, “YUM!”  These are the things that keep me going.

Another big part of why I still enjoy blogging is YOU!  All of the readers, bloggers, friends and family that continue to check in here, leave comments, send e-mails, tweets and all other manner of communiqué.  Connecting with other passionate foodies is what makes this FUN.  So thank you.

Finally, I’ve really grown to enjoy all of the local San Diego activities that I get to do as a result of being a food blogger.  Events with the San Diego Food Blogger group, restaurant experiences around town, product tastings, local partnerships and my monthly recipe column in Pacific Magazine.  The San Diego food scene has really come up since I first moved here back in 2004, and I love being just a small part of the big picture.

From time to time, I like to look back at my old recipes to see how I’ve grown over the years.  For example, take a look at my original post on Blueberry Ice Cream.  The photos are dark, the focus is way too tight on several photos and the recipe is in an unfriendly format.  Also, remember FoodBuzz??  I do miss that.  Last year, I reposted the same Blueberry Ice Cream recipe, reimagined with an Oat Crumble Topping.  My photos are now bright, vibrant and there’s even an animated gif thrown into the mix!  I’m not saying that these photos are perfect, but they’re definitely improved!  Week-by-week, Kitchen Konfidence allows me to hone my photography, writing, editing, styling, recipe testing/development, and teaching skills.  It’s a challenge, and I love it.

So that’s it for the love fest!!  Now, on to the cocktail.  Continue reading to hear more about this Cucumber Lime Zinger plus a cookbook giveaway.

The Cucumber Lime Zinger starts with a base of homemade Cucumber, Dill and Black Pepper Vodka.  Ribbons of cool cucumber are steeped in vodka along with fresh dill and toasted black peppercorns.  The resulting infusion is crisp, complex and wonderfully aromatic.  To make the cocktail, the infused vodka is muddled with cucumber and rosemary, then shaken with lime juice, lime zest and simple syrup.  To finish, the drink is topped off with chilled sparkling water.  This Cucumber Lime Zinger is tart, herbaceous and incredibly refreshing.  Exactly what you’d want to drink on a hot summer afternoon.

This recipe comes from Summer Cocktails: Margaritas, Mint Juleps, Punches, Party Snacks, and More by Maria del Mar Sacasa, a book that’s been in-use at my house for the past month and half!  Seriously, it’s packed with so many fun, seasonal cocktails.  I love that Maria also includes recipes for alcohol infusions and other DIY goodies (shrubs, syrups, mixes).  If you love a good cocktail (like me!), you need to check this book out.  PS. I’m giving away two copies down below.

Cucumber and Dill

Peeled Cucumber

The lovely folks over at Quirk Books provided me with two copies of Summer Cocktails to give away to Kitchen Konfidence readers!!  Enter to win here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jarred Cucumber

Cucumber, Dill and Black Pepper Vodka

Cucumber Lime Zinger Cocktail
5 from 6 votes
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The Cucumber Lime Zinger

Recipe adapted from Summer Cocktails: Margaritas, Mint Juleps, Punches, Party Snacks, and More.
Servings 1 drink
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary needles
  • 2 slices English cucumber
  • 2 oz. Cucumber Dill and Black Pepper Infused Vodka* (recipe below)
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons simple syrup**, plus more to taste
  • Small pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup chilled sparkling water
  • Cucumber round and rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place rosemary needles and cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker, and muddle to release cucumber juice and rosemary oils. Add infused vodka, lime zest, lime juice, simple syrup, salt and ice. Shake until well-chilled (about 30 seconds). Gently stir in sparkling water, then taste for sweetness. If it's too tart, stir in a bit more simple syrup. Double strain (through the cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer) into an ice-filled glass, and garnish with a cucumber round and rosemary sprig.

Recipe Notes

* Don't want to make infused vodka? Try this with regular vodka, white rum or gin.

** Please don't buy simple syrup. It's very easy to make at home. Place equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan (for example, 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar), bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and let boil for 1 minute. Take the saucepan off the heat, and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature before using. Done! How easy is that? Simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for many weeks.

5 from 6 votes
Print

Cucumber, Dill and Black Peppercorn Infused Vodka

Servings 750 ml
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

  • 1 English cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 1 small bunch of fresh dill
  • 1/4 cup toasted black peppercorns
  • 750 - 1000 ml of good quality vodka (nothing cheap, but not top shelf)

Instructions

  1. Place cucumber slices, dill and black peppercorns in a jar with an air-tight lid. Add vodka to cover the ingredients (I used just over 750ml). Let infuse for 4 days in a cool, dark spot.
  2. Strain infused vodka into a clean jar or bottle. Discard solids. Infused vodka will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month or the freezer for up to 4 months. The vodka won't go bad, but flavors will start to dull as time goes by.

Let’s all have a drink to celebrate this milestone.  Cheers!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    Congrats on 5 years, Brandon!!! TIME FLIES! Wow. I am so happy for you and how you’ve grown your blog and all you’ve done in San Diego from your West Elm demos to the your Pacific Mag column, you’re a mover and a shaker and so happy to know you!! (Not entering the giveaway b/c I have the book and it’s GREAT…I want every drink in it!)

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Awww, thanks so much Averie!! So happy to know you as well 🙂 Glad we met at Matt’s workshop!!

      Reply

  3. Lauren says

    Lately, I’m all about the Tom Collins! I love trying new craft cocktails (as well as the tried & true).

    Reply

  7. Adrienne says

    I love anything with mint and/or lime, so fresh and summery! I also prefer clear alcohols in the summer, more thirst quenching. I think a good stiff Mojito (heavy on the lime!) is probably my fav cocktail!

    Reply

  13. Lisa @ Whisk & Cleaver says

    Yay congrats on five years!! Wow – so many great blogs were started five years ago this month 🙂 I love your photography and it’s been so fun getting to know you through blogging. As for cocktails, yours always look amazing, but I have to admit, we’re pretty much G&T folks up here in Carlsbad. We could use your sense of adventure, though, for sure! xo

    Reply

  23. Starla B says

    5 stars
    HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! What an absolutely awesome milestone! All of these seriously look so good. That’s a hard decision- I love a good margarita anyday, though!

    Reply

  27. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    Congrats on 5 years. Isn’t it amazing how the time flies? I just can’t believe how long we’ve been doing it for and all the places and opportunities that have come out of it. And, of course, the relationships. Those are the best.

    Love everything about this. I don’t do nearly enough with cucumber… despite it being a favorite ingredient in our house. Really need to start using it in cocktails… starting with this beauty.

    Reply

    • Brandon Matzek says

      Thanks Brian!! Yeah the years just fly by, and each one seems to get more exciting! Definitely start using cucumber in your cocktails. So refreshing during the summer months.

      Reply

  31. Steph @ Steph in Thyme says

    Congrats on the 5 year blogiversary! It’s so cool that you’re able to see your progression over the past five years. My photography skills have improved so much in just the past year alone, I’m excited to see where my blog will be in 4 years. And what a way to celebrate – with a cool, refreshing zinging cocktail!

    Reply

  32. cristina says

    5 years flies by quickly, doesn’t it? Happy blogversary and all your beautiful and tasty contributions. 😉 This cucumber lime zinger is a refreshing way to celebrate!!

    Reply

  33. Anita says

    Congrats on five years! You have a beautiful blog and it’s clear how much work and love you put into it! Looking forward to visiting your site more!

    Reply

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