Cool as a Cucumber

This sounds really interesting! One of the entrants where I just entered....

You can enjoy this drink with or without gin. The trick is to make ice cubes ahead of time with some of the muddled cucumber in water.

Serves 6

• 2 English cucumber, sliced razor thin on a mandolin
• 6 limes
• 64 ounces mineral water (noncarbonated)
• tiny pinch of sea salt
• 9 ounces Hendrick's gin, optional
• sprigs of thai basil or lemon verbena, if desired

1. In a large punch bowl or glass pitcher, muddle the cucumbers, juice from the limes, half the mineral water and sea salt together. In an empty ice cube tray select some cucumbers to freeze in each of the 16 vacancies. Pour 3 cups of the muddled water into the tray. Freeze solid. Add the remaining mineral water to a pitcher and muddle with the remaining cucumbers and lime. Chill.
2. To serve add two or three cubes to each glass. Pour the drink (straining out the muddled cucumbers) over the ice cubes. Swizzle in some herbal garnish if desired.
3. If you want the version with gin, then add a one or two cubes to a martini glass. Add about one ounce of the muddled water and stir with 1.5 oz of gin per glass. Swizzle with herbal sprig.