Drink: Cucumber-Aloe Cocktail

Here's a summer cocktail that isn't too herbaceous or vegetably," Kinch says. "Aloe juice goes well with cucumbers, and Hendrick's Gin adds nice rose and cucumber notes.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Basil

Health benefits of Cucumber-Aloe Cocktail

Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

8 1/4"-thick slices cucumber
12 small fresh shiso leaves
1/4 cup Hendrick's Gin
6 tablespoons tonic water
1/4 cup aloe juice
2 teaspoons Chartreuse liqueur
Ingredient info: Shiso leaves, from the perilla plant (also known as Japanese basil), are sold at Japanese markets. Aloe juice is available at better supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

Instructions

Using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, crush and mash cucumber and shiso in a cocktail shaker. Add gin and mash again. Fill shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add tonic, aloe, and Chartreuse. Stir to blend well. Fill 2 Old Fashioned glasses with ice; strain cocktail into glasses.

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