Minted Kyuri: A Vodka Cocktail

Name: Minted Kyuri: A Vodka Cocktail
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Recipe: Keren Shemel , Okaru , Roslyn, New York

Photo: Jovani Demetrie

August 01, 2025

The Minted Kyuri: A Summer Vodka Cocktail

For a cooling summer cocktail, shake up this light and clean-tasting vodka refresher by Keren Shemel of Okaru in Roslyn, New York. “A touch of yuzu is enough sweetness to make it perfection!” says Shemel.

Ingredients

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. yuzu syrup
5 cucumber wheels
5 mint leaves

Tools:muddler, shaker, strainer, fine-mesh strainer
Glass:coupe
Garnish:3 cucumber balls on thin pick, basil leaf and lime zest

Preparation

Add the cucumber wheels and mint leaves to the shaker and muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients with ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish.
Yuzu SyrupBring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of agave nectar to simmer over medium heat, shut off heat and add 1 Tbsp. of yuzu zest (or lime and lemon zest). When cool, add 1/4 cup of yuzu juice and reserve. Will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.