1 1/2 oz gin or green garden vodka*

1/2 to 3/4 oz aloe pulp juice

1 slice lemon

1 slice cucumber

soda

muddle cucumber and lemon.  cover with ice.

add liquor and aloe pulp juice.

shake.  strain over fresh ice in a tall glass and top with soda.

garnish with lemon slice and thyme sprig.

originally concocted for the launch party for the catering biz, modified to accomodate the green garden vodka that i made a month ago (note for those making the gin version at home: add a sprig or two of fresh thyme to the ingredients, and crunch it up a bit to release the oils).   a nice, clean, dry summer cooler, in both its manifestations.