This drink is totally excellent. Just the thing when the weather feels like someone’s taken a U-Haul blanket, soaked it in boiling water and wrapped it around your head. (Like any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day in DC.) Cribbed from the NYTimes food section a few weeks back.

“The Cuke”

6 limes
3 unwaxed cucumbers
1 cup firmly packed mint leaves
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups gin or vodka
club soda
Thinly slice three limes and two cukes and put them in a pitcher. Juice the other three limes and add to pitcher along with the mint leaves and sugar. Muddle. Add gin or vodka, stir it on up, and let it sit in the fridge for at least half an hour.

Strain into ice-filled highball glasses. Garnish with a cuke spear and add a splash of club soda.

Serves 6