Hi Friends! I’m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

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Cucumber Gimlet + Friday Randoms

Aug 17, 2012

I am writing this post from our balcony over looking the ocean, savoring our last day of beach vacation.   This has been a much needed week of relaxation for me and my family.

I wanted to pop in today and share a new cocktail we made this week that was hit with everyone.  I introduce to you the Cucumber Gimlet.  It is light, refreshing,  and ridiculously good.

It all started with our girls lunch at a restaurant here in Pawleys Island called Chive Blossom.  We all ordered the Cucumber Gimlet and became obsessed with it.  We knew we had to recreate it!

The original recipe at Chive Blossom called for Gin but all of us ladies subbed Vodka for Gin.  Is it just me or does Gin taste like Christmas trees?  I just can’t drink it.  Could also be the fact that in college my drink of choice was gin and tonic.  I drank so many of those I will never touch it again.   This cocktail is pretty simple, all you need is Vodka, Cucumber, limes,  and a touch of simple syrup.

CUCUMBER GIMLET


– 1 English Cucumber peeled and half finely diced, half sliced

-6-7 limes

-1/2 cup simple Syrup (simmer 1/2 cup sugar in 1 cup of water on stove til sugar has melted)

-Vodka

Take the diced cucumber and the juice of 6 limes and slightly puree in a blender with ice. You don’t want it to be pure liquid just slightly pulsed.  In glasses add ice and few pieces of the sliced cucumber.  Pour about a shot glass worth of the pureed cucumber/lime mix over the ice in a glass and add in 2 shots of vodka and let it sit for a few minutes.  It helps to let it sit to infuse the cucumber flavor in the vodka.  After a few minutes add in simple syrup to your liking.  We each added in about 2 teaspoons per drink.  You can make as sweet as you want but we don’t like our drinks too sweet.  We also squeezed an additional half a lime over the top of each drink.

Enjoy!

_________________________

I found a new nail polish color I am obsessed with thanks to my sister- Essie E-nuf is E-nuf.  It is a gorgeous color.  Perfect for the end of Summer.

 I had to share our attempts to try and get a family photo this week.  We really don’t have many photos of the three of us so I really wanted a good one.  This is so not easy with a two year old.  This was the beginning of the week.  Pretty standard he cries everytime the camera comes out.


{Attempt One}

{Attempt Two}

This time he wouldn’t take his hands out of his mouth.  Plus my hair is a hot mess.

{Attempt Three}

Finally by the end of the week we got this quasi successful picture.  We are totally shaded out by the sun but oh well at least we are all looking at the camera!

Also, just because I can’t resist, I have to share one picture of my little man looking adorable.  This is our last summer in jon-jons so I have to relish it!

In keeping with my fabulous guest posts from this week, I purchased the first item for Sterling’s Big Boy Room at a shop here in Pawleys Island.  How adorable is this Burlap Pillow?  I am going to use it on his Eames Rocker.


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Lastly,  I am guest posting over at Lindsay’s blog Sadie + Stella.

 I am sharing my recipe for this amazing Butterbean and Shaved Zucchini Salad. Trust me you are going to want to make it,  and frankly I need to eat it everyday next week to make up for all the junk I consumed this week.  You can check out my recipe HERE.

Have a great weekend!  I will be savoring every last minute til back to reality Monday!

+ view comments

Leave a Reply

  1. love the pillow for Sterling! Is it from Currents? I love that store!

  2. megan says:

    Ick, gin definitely tastes like Christmas trees to me. I don't see how people drink that stuff. The pillow you bought for Sterling is adorable!

  3. Maggie says:

    New follower here… your blog is so cute! I am excited to see what you do with your son's room.

    Hope you have enjoyed your vacation. We are heading to Pawley's tomorrow! 🙂

  4. Amanda says:

    Gin is gross! I currently love Tito's vodka! I have to try that drink! Sounds so refreshing.

    The last pic of you guys turned out so cute!

  5. Lauren says:

    I LOVE that cocktail at Chive. I'm a Pawleys local and everything that restaurant has is fantastic. I think vodka would make it even better!

  6. Courtney says:

    Precious picture in the john john and love that pillow:)

  7. Chive Blossom is so good. We're at Litchfield every month and that has become my fave place to eat. Bloody Marys there are awesome, too.

  8. Love that last family photo!! "You look great. 😉

  9. So happy you're having fun Nat!! Enjoy your last day.

  10. Viviana says:

    I'm definitely gonna have to try that cucumber deliciousness!

  11. so cute! boy is your little boy adorbs!

  12. I had to come over and visit after seeing your delish recipe at S&S blog. So glad I did!! Cucumber Gimlet…yes please. I have been addicted to Rosemary Gimlet for quite a while so this will be a welcome change. So glad to have found your wonderful blog.

  13. I randomly made basil simple syrup last night, so I think this will be the perfect cocktail for my husband and me this weekend! Sounds so yummy with the cukes and lime, and I can't imagine that the basil s.s. would be an unwelcome addition!

  14. Taylor says:

    hope the beach has been amazing!! and yes, no gin for me please. only vodka – that drink looks yummy. enjoy the last day at the beach!

    http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/

  15. I can't get over how cuuuute he is! And I love all 3 family photo attempts. 🙂

  16. ok, I need to try both the drink and that salad! LOVE all the family shots, you guys look great!~ xo

  17. Julia says:

    LOVE Chive Blossom (and your blog!)!! HATE gin!

  18. I am a new follower. I really like your site–lots of different things. I agree with you about Gin–it does taste like Christmas trees and I love any type of drink with cucumbers–perfect for summer!!

  19. Your family is so gorgeous! Love all the family vaca photos 🙂

  20. Pinned that drink! Yes to vodka, no to gin.

  21. Bud and Leo says:

    that gimlet sounds amazing- I agree gin is like pine trees it's soooo gross! and I'm a vodka girl too so excited to try this! And LOVE LOVE LOVE your family pics. The little things are what makes them adorable. Hope you had a fun vaca & glad you're back 🙂

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