This Cucumber & Mint Gin Cocktail Is Perfect For Spring

A couple years ago, as the weather was just begining to warm up, I walked into the Standard East Village for an afternoon tipple. One of the bartenders at the time was the talented Natasha Sofia. She greeted me with a smile and asked what I'd like. "Something refreshing," I responded. "I trust you."A few minutes later, Natasha presented me with a lovely light green sour-style cocktail, with specks of dark green resting on the surface of the liquid, served up in a coupe glass. It was delightful. When I asked what was in the drink, she reponded nochelantly "mint, cucumber, lime juice - the three best friends."I spent the summer playing with these ingredients, combining them with different clear spirits until arriving at this drink, a cross between a gin sour and a cucumber margarita that I now refer to as "The Three Green Friends," as something of a nod to Natasha's original description. This drink is light, bright, and refreshing, and most importantly, easy to make.