Blinded by the midday sun, slung high above sparse, pillowy clouds, I close my eyes and throw my head back in submission. Ice clinks against the glass in my hand as it slowly melts, shape-shifting into smaller and smaller fragments before giving up on maintaining solid form altogether. Cicadas buzz and sizzle in the heat, flooding the air with their electric symphony. All extraneous details quickly fade away; this could be anywhere in space, at any point in time.

Just like that, days turn into weeks, trickling by without particular notice, blending into one another to create the fabled “endless summer.” Undoubtedly, the heat will persist well beyond the calendar’s seasonal boundaries, strengthening that illusion with every subsequent sunny forecast. Unfortunately, that magic never lasts, choosing to suddenly disappear for its final trick. With it goes the bounty of luscious summer produce. Goodbye to the watermelon and blueberries, so long tomatoes and cucumbers; we know you’ll come visit again, but a year feels like forever away.

We can’t make summer stay, but we can preserve some of that magic. Pickling is one of the easiest ways to save these seasonal gems while injecting some extra flavor. Inspired by the classic cocktail featuring gin and lime juice, gimlet pickles transform simple seedless cucumbers into savory snacks elegant enough to act as a garnish, but without being so fussy as to stand out in a sandwich or served on a charcuterie plate.

Gin contributes a uniquely woodsy flavor, imparted by juniper berries, that reminds me of pine needles with a touch of lemon. Since that can be a bit polarizing, a popular variation on the mix uses vodka instead. Taking a page from that traditional twist, feel free to play around with any distilled spirit you prefer.

Whatever you do, don’t let summer slip away. It may feel limitless right now, but in an instant, it could be swept away by cold winds and dark days. Drink in every savory moment while you still can.

Yield: Makes 1 Pint

Gimlet Pickles

Lemony and herbaceous just like the original cocktail, these gimlet pickled cucumbers taste like summer in a jar.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/3 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Salt
• 1 Cup Gin
• 3/4 Cup Lime Juice
• 1 Pound Persian Cucumbers, Quartered Lengthwise

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, mix the water, sugar, and salt. Stir gently over low heat until dissolved; about 5 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before whisking in the gin and lime juice.
2. Meanwhile, carefully pack the sliced cucumbers into a 1-pint glass jar, wedging them in tightly. Pour the brine on top, allowing it to fill all the spaces between the vegetables.
3. Seal tightly and let stand at room temperature until completely cool. Store in the fridge for at least 3 days for the best flavor, and up to 2 weeks.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Celtic Sea Salt, Fine Ground, Vital Mineral Blend, 1 lb (454 g)
• 
  1-Quart Pouring Saucepan
• 
  Wholesome, Organic Sucanat, Whole Cane Sugar, 2 lb (907 g)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 48Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 794mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

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