Cucumber Mint Refresher

 

The base for this homemade drink is modeled after a traditional Iranian sweet and sour syrup called Sekanjabin.

 

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

2 cups mint leaves

2 cups grated cucumber (from 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded)

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 liter club soda

 

In a saucepan bring the sugar, water, and mint to a gentle boil. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cucumber and vinegar. Let steep for one hour. Using a wire-mesh strainer, strain the syrup into a jar. To make the drink, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour 2 T. of syrup over the ice and add 12 ounces club soda. Mix well.

 

More Traditional Persion Sekanjabin

 

2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

½ cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 cup fresh mint, loosely packed

3 Persian cucumbers, grated

 

In a small pot over medium-high heat whisk together sugar with 1 cup water until sugar is dissolved. Let syrup boil together for 10 minutes, then add vinegar. Reduce heat to medium and cook until syrup thickens, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint. Remove mint when syrup has cooled. For a drink, mix a pitcher with syrup (measuring about 1 ½ cups) with 6 cup s cold water and grated cucumbers. This will yield a sweeter drink. Add more water to dilute to your taste preference. You can use the syrup to dip lettuce, or to drizzle over beautiful citrus fruit.  The syrup can be used to make a Vodka and Mint Fizz, or A cranberry Liqueur.