Cucumber Cooler

This is one of Mikey's favorite summer drinks, its refreshing and perfect for a warm evening on the patio, it translates into larger batches very well so go ahead and make a pitcher sit back and relax! With the simple syrup, especially flavored ones, we like to make large batches, you can store these in an airtight container in a dark cool place indefinitely!

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup sugar 

2 stalks lemongrass, sliced on the bias 1/4"

4 tablespoons ginger, roughly chopped

1 cucumber, diced 

juice of two limes

2 cups cachaça 

Pioncillo, (mexican brown sugar) 

In a small saucepan, combine the  water and the sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the lemongrass and ginger, let seep for 30-45 minutes. Strain through a fine meshed sieve, and reserve. In a large bowl muddle cucumber and lime, pour into a pitcher, add cachaça and simple syrup top of with ice and stir until chilled. Pour the mixture into rocks glasses. Garnish with a wedge of lime and grated pioncillo over the top of the drink.