Capsaicin Free Garlic-Herb Cucumber Gazpacho Shooters
Cool, herby, and impossibly refreshing, these cucumber gazpacho shooters are the kind of appetizer that disappears from a party tray before you even set it down. English cucumber forms the base, blended smooth with garlic, fresh parsley, mint, and chives, then brightened with apple cider vinegar and a whisper of ground ginger. The result is a clean, garden-forward sip that feels elegant without requiring much effort at all. Traditional gazpacho often leans on tomatoes and chili-based heat for its punch, which can make it a minefield for anyone avoiding capsaicin. This version skips all of that entirely — the depth comes from garlic, fresh herbs, and good extra-virgin olive oil instead, so the flavor is genuinely complex without a trace of pepper heat. Straining the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve gives each shooter a silky, restaurant-quality texture that feels far more impressive than the ingredient list suggests. Served in small shot glasses with a thin cucumber round on top, these are as pretty as they are practical. Make them ahead, keep them chilled, and you've got a stunning no-fuss starter that proves bold flavor never has to come from heat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 large english cucumbers (about 2 lb total), roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ cup cold water, plus more as needed
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- thin cucumber rounds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the chopped cucumber, garlic, parsley, mint, chives, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, ground ginger, and cold water in a blender.
- 2
Blend on high speed until completely smooth, about 60 seconds. If the mixture is too thick to pour easily, add cold water 1 tbsp at a time and blend briefly until it reaches a pourable, slightly viscous consistency.
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