Recipe
- 1oz absinthe
- 1oz lime juice
- 1oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar/water)
- 3oz cold water
- 5-6 cucumber slices (or a few long rolled strips)
Add all liquid ingredients into a glass filled with crushed ice. Add cucumber slices and gently stir to combine.
About
This is one hell of a drink, aptly named. Whenever someone mentions an absinthe-heavy drink, this one immediately comes to mind, with a full ounce of the high proof peppery anise-y spirit. I first discovered this drink a couple years ago when I wandered into Absinthe Bar – a classic San Francisco restaurant/loungebar dedicated to the famous green libation. They actually feature an entire absinthe cocktail list and on it was The Green Beast – a seemingly simple cocktail with cucumber, lime, and sugar.
It is intense, and if you have any reservations about the flavor of absinthe, it’s probably best to stay away. But man oh man is this one of the most unique flavor-bombs. Even though the cucumber is only gently slipped in at the end, it’s incredible how strongly the refreshing flavor comes through in the drink. Upon first sip, the intense peppery, herbal absinthe hits you like a brick (in a relatively pleasant interesting way), but is immediately mellowed by the complementary fresh flavors of the lime and cucumber. For absinthe fans, I think this would be the perfect go-to cocktail whenever you’re feeling a change from a straight absinthe drip!
Highly recommend trying at least once; you might just fall in love.