Cucumber drinks at M&S

More usually found in  green salads and cream cheese sandwiches, the humble cucumber is now turning up in the most fashionable of drinks. While the odd slice has always been an essential part of the classic Pimm's, cucumber is now to be found as a flavour in its own right in both soft and alcoholic beverages. For example, cucumber-infused gin burst onto the scene relatively recently, with brands such as Hendrick’s and Miller’s gaining big followings quite quickly.

Now, one of M&S’s new range includes this modern classic: their Elderflower & Cucumber Gin Fizz (£4.99 for 70cl) is a ready-mixed sparkling cocktail of white wine, elderflower extract, London gin and cucumber flavour.

Another star of the new cucumber-infused drinks fashion is the Cool Cucumber Martini, a ready-to-pour Martini (£12 for 50cl) that would be perfect shaken and poured over ice at the start of the evening.

If you're driving, there’s British Elderflower and Cucumber Cordial and a sparkling British Apple & Cucumber Presse (£2/750ml).