Cucumber Agua Fresca
I can only handle so much plain water, I crave flavor. So when I am working in the garden or chilling out on the patio one of the drinks I enjoy is a Cucumber Agua Fresca. Also called Aqua De Pepino, this cucumber water recipe is so so refreshing!
Not only is this a light and cold drink recipe, you can make an Agua Fresca in minutes! This cucumber lime water is made with just 3 ingredients plus water and salt (optional). After you make it once, the recipe will stay in your memory and you can whip it up off the top of your head anytime you want.
I like to make my own Lime Soda and Strawberry Soda however, when I don't want bubbles and I want a drink with some benefits, I make an Agua Fresca.
This is a fabulous non-alcoholic drink offering for summer BBQ's!
Table of Contents
Ingredients to make Aqua De Pepino
- Cucumbers (I like using English / Hothouse cucumbers for this however garden variety works as well
- Sweetener, I like simple syrup which you can make in minutes. You can also use honey, agave or your go-to sweetener.
- Fresh mint leaves
- Pinch of salt
- Water & ice
Tips
- The fresher your ingredients, the better your agua fresca will be.
- The green color is so pretty, however, I recommend peeling most of the cucumbers for a less textured drink, unless you want to strain it that is. I like leaving a couple strips of peel on each cucumber used for color. Straining with a cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer will take any of the tiny skin particles out.
- Most blenders should be able to pulverize the seeds (English cucumbers especially since they are less seeded). If you are using regular garden variety cucumbers you may want to discard just the center seeds unless you are using a juice or high powered blender.
The benefits of cucumber include vitamin C, K, magnesium and potassium. You'll also get a little fiber and protein. Cucumbers are low in calories, carbs and sugar. Cucumbers score low on the glycemic index and contain antioxidants.
Variations
- Swap out lemon for the lime for a change in flavor.
- Add basil instead of mint.
- Make is as sweet (or not) as you like.
- Swap sugar for agave, sugar in the raw, or your favorite alternative sugar.
- Put a nice pinch of salt in it for electrolytes, especially in hot weather.
- Freeze some of your agua fresca in ice cube trays to use as ice cubes so you don't dilute it.
- Swap water for coconut water for a different flavor.
I recommend using English cucumbers for this Agua Fresca, as they have less seeds vs a typical garden cucumber. If you use regular cucumbers, simply cut around the densely seeded area.
Benefits of this Cucumber Water Recipe
- A low calorie drink, each cucumber is approximately 30 calories..
- You control the sweetness.
- A great way to stay hydrated.
- The benefits of cucumber include vitamin C, K, magnesium and potassium. You'll also get a little fiber and protein. Cucumbers are low in calories, carbs and sugar.
- While the added mint contains iron, folate, manganese, vitamin a and some fiber.
- Cucumbers score low on the glycemic index and contain antioxidants.
- Recent research show cucumbers contain high amounts of CUB / Cucurbitacin B which is a naturally occurring plant compound gaining attention for its effect on cancer cells.
- Mint is also touted as an immune system booster, and better cognitive function helper among other things.
Storage
- While this Aqua De Pepino is the absolute best the day you make it, you can place it in a large mason jar or a glass pitcher and enjoy for 2-3 days. If placing in a pitcher, cover the top with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
- Give it a good shake or whirl in your blender before pouring over ice to enjoy.
I hope you love this refreshing summer drink recipe as much as my family & I do! XO Colleen
Drink Recipes to try
Colleen Kennedy is the author of 3 cookbooks and has appeared on QVC and other shows inspiring home cooks of all levels. She has a popular TikTok channel @ColleensCooking with hundreds of short recipe videos. Colleen lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and kids, she started the food blog, Soufflé Bombay in 2009. Read more about her here.
Cucumber Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 1.5 English cucumbers, partially peeled and chopped chopped into 2 inch pieces about 4 cups (you can also use regular garden cucumbers, see notes)
- 2 limes, ¼ cup to ⅓ cup juice depending on your preference
- 12 mint leaves or more depending on your preference for mint flavor. If they are tiny leaves, add more.
- 5 TBS sugar more or less to taste
- 3 fingered pinch of sea salt or Celtic salt fabulous for electrolyte's
- 2 cups water
- ice
Instructions
- Fully or partially peel your washed cucumbers. If you leave a little peel on its more colorful. If you leave it all on its a little thicker. I like to only leave 2 strips of peel on.
- Cut cucumber into chunks and add to blender along with ¼ to ⅓ cup fresh lime juice (start with ¼, taste and decide if you want to add more.
- Add in a 3 fingered pinch of Celtic or sea salt, mint leaves and sugar (if adding) and blend on high until liquid.
- Add in 4 cups of water and blend. Taste and adjust. Add in additional lime juice or water if you like.
- Enjoy over ice garnished with mint, a lime slice/cucumber slice or as is.
Lime is mentioned but not how it is used. is it as a garnish or as a juice added to the cucumber drink?
Thanks Linda for the catch, I updated the recipe card, I must not have fully saved what I wrote the last edit before published. Hope you enjoy!