This summer has been hot and dry which is the perfect climate for many of our garden vine plants, including cucamelon (or Mexican sour gherkin). We are growing cucamelon for the first time this year and they are without a doubt the cutest fruits around! They look like tiny watermelons but actually taste like a tart cucumber and are perfect for salads, pickling, munching and even cocktails! Since the cucamelon is naturally tart and cucumber-like it turns out it makes a really delicious margarita! Like a cucumber margarita but with tiny watermelon-like fruits, it is just the right sip to savor what’s left of the summer season!
CUCAMELON MARGARITAS
Crisp and cool margaritas, infused with cucamelon simple syrup, fresh tequila and lime, on the rocks with a salt rim.
I admit I ate many of the cucuamelon while prepping the margaritas! Luckily I had just enough leftover for the batch of simple syrup. One cup of gherkins is all you need.
Learn more about the adorable garden fruit below!
WHAT IS A CUCAMELON/MEXICAN SOUR GHERKIN
This small and cute cucumber, is bite sized with an outer skin that looks very much like a watermelon. Cut in half it resembles the look and taste of a cucumber with a tart flesh and seeds in the center. Like cucumbers, this vine plant grows well on a trellis or lattice and loves the heat. The small fruit bears a tiny yellow flower and ready to harvest at 1 inch in size. I made the margaritas with our first harvest while also giving some away to family. Since they continue to produce after each harvest, they are a plentiful addition to the garden, when the weather conditions are just right.
In addition to being delicious straight off the vine, the cucamelon is a great palate cleanser, and makes for the cutest pickles too. The pickled cucamelon would be a sweet addition to any charcuterie board as well!
Just a few fresh ingredients is all you need to make this recipe!
INGREDIENTS FOR CUCAMELON MARGARITAS
If you’re fortunate to grow or find Mexican gherkin at the farmer’s market, you’ll need one cup of fruit for this recipe, plus more for garnish. You will also need 1/2 raw organic sugar, juice from 4 limes, cointreau or orange liqueur, top shelf tequila, ice and kosher salt for the rim.
TO MAKE THE MARGARITAS
Lime and salt glass rims, then simply pour all of the ingredients into each glass over ice. Stir gently and garnish with cucamelon and lime and serve immediately!
Cheers!
Cucamelon Margaritas
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Cocktails
- Cuisine: Margaritas
Description
Crisp and cool margaritas, infused with cucamelon simple syrup, fresh tequila and lime, on the rocks with a salt rim.
Ingredients
FOR THE CUCAMELON SIMPLE SYRUP:
1 cups water
1/2 cup raw organic sugar
1 cup cucamelon/mexican sour gherkins rinsed.
FOR THE CUCAMELON MARGARITAS
Juice from 4 limes
3 parts tequila
2 parts cucamelon simple syrup
1 part Cointreau (orange liqueur) (half per glass)
Ice
Kosher salt, fresh lime and cucamelon fruit for the garnish
Instructions
For the cucamelon simple syrup:
Heat cucamelon, sugar and water in a saucepan.
Boil for 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Cool, then pour through a strainer.
Transfer syrup to fridge until ready to use.
FOR THE CUCAMELON MARGARITAS:
Rim two glasses with lime juice and kosher salt.
Fill both glasses with ice.
Pour 1.5 part tequila into each glass.
Pour 1 part cucamelon simple syrup into each glass.
Pour in lime juice and Cointreau.
Stir gently.
Garnish with cucamelon and lime.
Cheers!
Keywords: garden cocktails, cucamelon, margaritas, Mexican sour gherkin, summer cocktail recipes, unique cocktail recipes, cucumber margaritas, easy cocktails
If you’re looking for a unique margarita to try, then look no further than this refreshing cucumber tasting cocktail! It’s a great option for happy hour at home and the recipe serves 2!
Have you grown cucamelon/mexican sour gherkins before? If so, I’d love to know how you like to use them!
Check out more from our garden and another garden recipe here.
Cheers!
This post titled Cucamelon Margaritas was seen first on Posh Little Designs. All Rights Reserved. 2021
Looks beyond refreshing! I’m with you on the eating of cucamelons! Can you eat too many? (I don’t think so) 🙂 Thank you for introducing them to me! Margaritas are delicious anytime of the year but it’s wonderful to make them inspired from produce from your own garden. They sound delicious! Everything you present is so beautifully styled and photographed to–a triple threat and masterful! 🙂 xoxo
I think you’d love these margaritas! We’ll have to do a repeat this coming summer 2022! Cheers!