Quench your thirst with a glass of rejuvenating Cucumber Agua Fresca, the epitome of refreshing summer drinks. Learn all about this invigorating Mexican beverage and its vibrant flavors, easy preparation and creative possibilities. This hydrating, cool drink deserves a spot at your next gathering or as your go-to sip on a scorching hot day.
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Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca recipe
Want to beat the heat this summer? Agua fresca is the beverage you’ll want to savor. This flavored water is not only a breeze to prepare but also incredibly invigorating.
The term “agua fresca” directly translates to “fresh water” and it lives up to its name in every sip. You can create your favorite flavors with a variety of fruits, from pineapple agua fresca to watermelon agua fresca.
When it comes to the most refreshing and crisp taste, cucumber takes center stage. Its clean, mild flavor and vibrant green hue make it a perfect choice. This recipe is an excellent opportunity to make use of those surplus cucumbers from your summer garden or produce box.
Aguas frescas are an excellent option for serving at gatherings as a non-alcoholic alternative, or you can whip up a batch for your own enjoyment, whether it’s by the pool, in your backyard, or at the beach.
More cucumber drink recipes: Pimm’s Cup • London Mule • Vodka Soda
Why you’ll love this recipe
Cucumber agua fresca embodies the essence of refreshment and flavor — an ideal thirst quencher on those scorching summer days.
- Making it couldn’t be easier, as you can prepare it using a blender or food processor.
- In a matter of minutes, this cool and invigorating beverage is ready to grace your table.
- What’s more, it’s a great way to make the most of any surplus cucumbers you might have on hand. They love to overflow gardens this time of year!
Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner soirée, firing up the grill for a cookout or simply enjoying a laid-back day at home, this revitalizing drink is a versatile choice to please any palate.
Its bright green color also makes it a festive choice for holidays, like St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo.
What is agua fresca?
Aguas frescas are refreshing, non-alcoholic beverages that can be crafted by blending fruits, grains, flowers or seeds with a blend of sugar and water. The resulting flavor profile combines elements of fruit juice with the subtlety of flavored water.
This popular drink hails from Mexico and Central American countries, where it is sold at convenience stores, juice bars, restaurants and street vendors. Agua de pepino (or agua fresca de pepino) is the Spanish term for cucumber agua fresca.
Aguas frescas offer a versatile canvas for culinary creativity, as you can use a wide range of herbs and fresh fruit, spanning from the tropical allure of pineapple and mango to the crisp refreshment of watermelon and the sweet allure of strawberry.
Horchata, traditionally made from rice, also falls within the category of aguas frescas.
Tools & glassware
For this cucumber agua fresca recipe, you’ll want to gather a few essential tools:
- You may want a
vegetable peeler to peel the skin from the cucumbers. - A cutting board and a sharp knife are essential for preparing the cucumbers to perfection.
- Having a citrus squeezer on hand is needed for extracting fresh lime juice.
- Lastly, ensure you have your trusty blender and a fine-mesh strainer at the ready to create a smooth and delightful cucumber infusion.
A high-speed blender works the best, but a regular blender or food processor will do since you are going to strain the mixture anyway.
Ingredients
You’ll need a few simple ingredients to make this refreshing drink recipe:
Fresh cucumbers: You can experiment with other types of cucumbers, such as Persian cucumber or English cucumber. If you’re in a hurry, consider purchasing pre-cut cucumber slices from your local grocery store’s produce section to streamline your prep.
Water: Opt for the freshest water you have available, whether it’s tap water, filtered water or bottled water.
Honey: Alternatively, you can explore agave nectar, a touch of sugar or even a fruity simple syrup as sweetening options.
Fresh lime juice: While fresh lime juice is the ideal choice, lime concentrate can serve as a suitable substitute if necessary. Just be mindful that it is potentially more tart.
Ice cubes or crushed ice: If you’re in the mood for a slushy-like consistency, crushed ice can elevate the refreshment factor of your cucumber agua fresca.
Variations and substitutions
Mix things up with one of these variations:
Change up the cukes. When preparing cucumber agua fresca, opting for fresh and perfectly ripe cucumbers, especially during their in-season peak, can infuse natural sweetness into your drink.
Adjust the sweetness. Using a different kind of cucumbers can allow you to skip the honey if you prefer a less sweet option. You could also use a sugar-free syrup or your favorite sugar substitute. If sweetness is your preference, you have a delightful array of options to explore in this recipe. Consider enhancing the flavor with ingredients like granulated sugar, agave nectar maple syrup or honey.
Seeds or seedless? Whether you use seedless cucumbers or those with seeds doesn’t matter, as the straining process will remove any unwanted bits.
Add flavor: For an extra boost of flavor, you can add a handful of fresh mint leaves or a slice of jalapeño to the blender along with the cucumber.
Try other fruits: Beyond cucumbers, the world of aguas frescas offers a canvas for creativity. Try experimenting with a wide variety of fruits, including pineapple, berries, juicy melon or mango. You can even venture into the realm of delightful combinations to create your unique flavor profile.
Make it a cocktail. Add a splash of gin or tequila to make this a delicious cocktail with that agua fresca taste.
How to make Cucumber Agua Fresca
Here’s how to make this Cucumber Agua Fresca recipe:
Place the peeled and roughly chopped cucumber, water, honey and lime juice into a blender.
Blend until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
To ensure a silky texture, strain the contents of the blender through a fine-mesh strainer, allowing it to flow into a pitcher or bowl and separate the cucumber pulp. This step effectively removes any solids or sediments left over from the cucumber.
For best results, refrigerate the agua fresca until nicely chilled. But, if you’re ready to enjoy it right away, serve it over a generous helping of ice cubes for an instant refreshment in the hot summer months.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- Look for cucumbers that are firm, evenly green and free of any soft spots or blemishes.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more sugar. If you prefer a tangier drink, add more lime juice.
- For a fun garnish, use a mandoline to slice a few slices of the cucumber lengthwise. This will give you an ultra-thin ribbon of cucumber. Thread it on a cocktail pick or place it in the glass. (Be careful with the mandoline! They are very sharp! I recommend using cut-resistant gloves with it, which come with the one I linked to.)
What to serve with Cucumber Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is great with chips and a fruity dip like peach salsa or pineapple salsa.
You could also enjoy it with a number of cucumber snacks, like cucumber bruschetta or cucumber salad. This Mexican cucumber recipe would also be so delicious!
Or you can use cucumbers as a dipper for white bean hummus or whipped feta dip.
FAQ
Also called agua de pepina, cucumber agua fresca is a refreshing Mexican beverage made by blending cucumbers, water, sweetener and lime juice. It’s a cooling and hydrating drink perfect for hot summer days.
Yes, you can make Cucumber Agua Fresca ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge for up to two days. The mixture can separate, so stir before serving.
Cucumber Agua Fresca is a healthy beverage that is low in calories and rich in nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. It is also very hydrating but the best part is it tastes delicious and refreshing! The calorie count does depend on how much sugar is added.
More non-alcoholic drink recipes
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Cucumber Agua Fresca
ingredients
- 2 cups cucumber peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice about ½ lime
- ice cubes or crushed ice for serving
- cucumber slices or ribbons for garnish
- lime slices for garnish
instructions
- In a blender, combine the cucumber, water, honey and lime juice, and blend until very smooth.
- Strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or bowl. This will remove any solids or sediments from the fruit.
- Chill for best flavor or serve immediately over ice.
notes
- Look for cucumbers that are firm, evenly green and free of any soft spots or blemishes.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more sugar. If you prefer a tangier drink, add more lime juice.
- For an extra boost of flavor, you can add a handful of fresh mint leaves or a slice of jalapeño to the blender along with the cucumber.
- For a fun garnish, use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to slice a few slices of the cucumber lengthwise. This will give you an ultra thin ribbon of cucumber. Thread it on a cocktail pick, or place it in the glass. Be careful with the mandoline! They are very sharp! I recommend using cut-resistant gloves with it, which come with the one I linked to.
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