Description
Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca is a refreshing, hydrating beverage that combines the cool flavors of cucumber and fresh mint with a hint of lime and sweetness. Perfect for hot days, this simple drink is blended smooth, strained for clarity, and served chilled with ice and garnishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber (about 1.5 lbs, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped)
- 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves (packed)
- 4 cups cold water (plus up to 2 additional cups, to taste)
- 0.25 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar (or agave syrup, adjust to taste)
- 0.125 tsp salt
- Ice (for serving)
- Lime slices (for garnish)
- Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)
- Thin cucumber slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the cucumber and mint leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities. Peel the cucumber if desired, or leave some peel for added color and fiber.
- Prep the Produce: Cut the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Roughly chop the cucumber into manageable pieces. Remove the mint leaves from their stems.
- Blend it Smooth: In a high-speed blender, combine the chopped cucumber, fresh mint leaves, 4 cups of cold water, lime juice, granulated sugar, and salt. Blend on high until fully smooth and a vibrant green color, about 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring no large pieces remain.
- Strain for Clarity: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher and pour the blended mixture through it. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to press and extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the leftover pulp.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the strained agua fresca. If the flavor is too strong or concentrated, slowly add 1 to 2 cups of cold water to reach your preferred taste and consistency. Adjust sweetness or acidity by adding more sugar or lime juice if needed.
- Chill Thoroughly: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the drink for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the beverage to become refreshingly cold.
- Serve and Garnish: Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour the chilled Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca over the ice and garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig, lime slice, or thin cucumber slice for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Leaving some cucumber peel on can add extra fiber and a nice green color.
- For a sweeter or less sweet drink, adjust sugar or agave syrup to taste.
- If you don’t have fresh mint, substitute with a small amount of mint extract carefully, but fresh leaves provide the best flavor.
- Straining ensures a smooth, pulp-free beverage, but you can omit this step if you prefer a more rustic texture.
- Keep the agua fresca refrigerated and consume within 2 days for the best freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Cucumber Agua Fresca, Mint Water, Refreshing Drink, Summer Beverage, Mexican Drink, Healthy Hydration
