Cucumber, gin, and rose cooler

Serves 2 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: nil

This is a light, less sweet alternative to the English summer favourite, Pimms’. Go easy on the rosewater to start with or the drink will taste like perfume.

10cm piece of telegraph cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced Juice of two limes

- 1 teaspoon rosewater 100ml gin Soda water or tonic Cucumber slices and rose petals to garnish (optional)

Put the diced cucumber in a cocktail shaker or jar with the lime juice and teaspoon rosewater. Use a cocktail muddler (like a miniature meat tenderiser) or the end of a wooden spoon to crush the cucumber to a pulp. Add the gin and stir.

To serve, divide the gin mixture between two glasses (strain through a fine sieve if you don’t want the pulp). Add ice and top with soda water. Garnish with