Ken Smith was our second landscape architect, and August in New York called for something directly in line with what he suggested as well: light, bright, and frothy. Chartreuse gave this highball a firm structure along with that beguiling green, perfectly reflecting someone whose life is spent in verdant pursuit.
Chop cucumber into small pieces, reserving one long slice for garnish. Muddle pieces along with the mint leaves in a shaker, then add gin, simple syrup, lime, and Chartreuse. Add ice and shake well. Double-strain into a large rocks glass half-filled with ice. Top with soda and garnish with cucumber slice, a lime wheel, and the mint sprig.