Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hydrating and Refreshing: The cucumber provides a cooling effect, making this drink ideal for staying refreshed.
- Simple Ingredients: Utilizes common kitchen staples, ensuring ease of preparation.
- Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the sugar to your taste preference for a personalized touch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 6 lemons, juiced
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare Simple Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of water with ½ cup of white sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Extract Cucumber Juice: Blend the sliced cucumber until it forms a pulp. Place the pulp in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, extracting approximately 2/3 cup of cucumber juice.
- Combine Ingredients: In a pitcher, mix the cooled simple syrup, cucumber juice, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Serve: Pour the lemonade over ice and garnish with additional cucumber slices or lemon wedges if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Additional Time: 30 minutes for cooling the simple syrup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Herbal Infusion: Add a few fresh mint leaves to the pitcher for a minty twist.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate a small amount of grated ginger for a hint of spice.
- Sweetener Alternatives: Replace white sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store the lemonade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serving: Serve chilled over ice.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
While fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor, bottled lemon juice can be used as a substitute if necessary.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the lemonade?
Taste the lemonade after combining all ingredients and add more sugar or sweetener to achieve your desired sweetness.
Is it necessary to strain the cucumber juice?
Straining the cucumber juice helps remove pulp, resulting in a smoother beverage.
Can I make this lemonade ahead of time?
Yes, preparing the lemonade in advance allows the flavors to meld, enhancing the overall taste.
How can I make this recipe in larger quantities?
Multiply the ingredient amounts by the desired number of servings. Ensure you have a sufficiently large pitcher or container to accommodate the increased volume.
How do I make cucumber juice without a blender?
Grate the cucumber finely, place it in a clean cloth or cheesecloth, and squeeze out the juice into a bowl.
Can I use sparkling water instead of still water?
Yes, substituting sparkling water will add a fizzy element to the lemonade, making it more refreshing.
How can I make this lemonade more tangy?
Increase the amount of lemon juice to enhance the tartness of the lemonade.
Is this lemonade suitable for children?
Yes, this lemonade is non-alcoholic and suitable for all ages.
Conclusion
This refreshing cucumber lemonade offers a delightful twist on traditional lemonade, combining the coolness of cucumber with the tartness of lemon. It’s an easy-to-make beverage that’s perfect for quenching your thirst on a warm day. Enjoy the crisp, invigorating flavors of this homemade drink!
Refreshing Cucumber Lemonade Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending, Stirring
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Stay cool and refreshed with this refreshing cucumber lemonade recipe! Combining the hydrating properties of cucumber and the tangy flavor of lemon, this drink is perfect for hot summer days. Simple to make, with customizable sweetness, it’s the ultimate thirst quencher
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 6 lemons, juiced
Instructions
- Prepare Simple Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of water and ½ cup of white sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Extract Cucumber Juice: Blend the sliced cucumber until it forms a pulp. Place the pulp in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and let it sit for about 15 minutes to extract approximately 2/3 cup of cucumber juice.
- Combine Ingredients: In a pitcher, mix the cooled simple syrup, cucumber juice, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Serve: Pour the lemonade over ice and garnish with additional cucumber slices or lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- For a minty twist, add fresh mint leaves to the pitcher.
- Replace white sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- If you like a tangier lemonade, increase the amount of lemon juice.
