Welcome to the latest edition of our NoKu Gastronomy Series, where we bottle the essence of villa-living into a glass. This November, we bring you the cocktail recipe for Cucumber Collins — a crisp, refreshing twist on the classic Collins, perfect for backyard sunsets, pool-side lounging, or a chill gathering in your luxury villa.

Cocktail Recipe – Cucumber Collins

Ingredients (serves 1):

  • 45 ml Gordon Gin
  • 30 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup
  • 3 sticks cucumber
  • 1 can soda water
  • 1 lemon ring

Method:

  1. Fill your highball glass with ice.
  2. Add 45 ml Gordon Gin, 30 ml lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup, and the cucumber sticks.
  3. Gently stir to combine and allow the cucumber to infuse slightly.
  4. Top up with soda water.
  5. Garnish with a length of cucumber peel (spiral if possible) and a lemon ring.
  6. Serve immediately: crisp, chilled and bright.

Tasting notes

The base of gin gives a reliable botanical backbone, while the crisp cucumber sticks provide cool, watery notes that refresh. The lemon juice lends zesty acidity, and the sugar syrup balances that with subtle sweetness. Topped with soda, this becomes light, effervescent, and perfect for warm-weather sipping. The cucumber garnish adds an elegant twist and enhances the visual appeal — truly villa-style.

Perfect Pairings

Complement your Cucumber Collins with dishes that match its lightness and brightness:

  • Grilled prawn skewers with a citrus-herb marinade — the gin’s botanicals echo the herbs, while the lemon in the cocktail ties in nicely.
  • Fresh herb-and-feta salad (mint, dill, cucumber, feta, lemon vinaigrette) — the cucumber throughout resonates with the drink, and the acidity in the salad echoes the lemon juice.
  • Lemon-and-thyme roasted chicken — a more substantial dish, yet still light enough so as not to overwhelm the drink’s subtlety.
  • Chilled cucumber-yogurt dip with pita chips — for a casual, poolside bite that mirrors the cocktail’s main ingredient.

Enjoy it at NoKu Beach House

Imagine this: you’re lounging at your private pool deck at NoKu Beach House, late afternoon light casting long shadows over smooth tiles. Your chilled glass sweats slightly in the tropical breeze. The cucumber peel curls gracefully at the rim. This is the vibe we’re after.

At home? No problem. Pick up premium gin, fresh cucumbers, and good soda. Use a tall, clear glass to let the cucumber sticks and lemon ring shine. Serve on a tray with perhaps a small bowl of lightly salted nuts, and you’ve brought the luxury villa moment to your living room.

Pro tips:

  • Pre-slice the cucumber sticks ahead of time and keep chilled.
  • Use extra large ice cubes so the drink remains cold but isn’t diluted too quickly.
  • Place a small tray of cucumber ribbons or lemon twists nearby — part garnish, part interactive experience.
  • If outdoors, add a linen napkin under the glass.

Sip Serenity in Paradise

Want the full NoKu experience? Book a stay at NoKu Beach House, our ultra-luxury beachfront villa in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. Here, every cocktail — including the refreshing Cucumber Collins — is crafted by your personal mixologist and served against a backdrop of golden sunsets over the shimmering infinity pool, and the soft whisper of the ocean breeze.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, dining under the stars, or toasting a special occasion, NoKu delivers world-class service, indulgent gastronomy, and a sense of tranquillity found nowhere else.
Ready to escape to paradise? Discover more at NoKu Beach House, where luxury meets the tropics — and every sip feels like summer.