Step 1

Combine the sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and immediately add cucumber slices. Press them into the liquid. Let stand until room temperature, about one hour, then strain.

Step 2

Add 1 ounce of the strained cucumber syrup to a cocktail shaker, along with vodka, grapefruit juice and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice, cap and shake for five seconds. Strain the cocktail into a highball glass with crushed ice.

Step 3

If you want to create the smoking pot effect, place a ramekin containing a small amount of water into a clay pot. Using tongs, add dry ice (do not touch the dry ice with your bare hands). Set a glass containing the cocktail into the pot and decorate the rim with herbs.