Easy Cucumber Mint Lemonade Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink

Quench your thirst with this easy cucumber mint lemonade recipe, perfect for a refreshing summer drink.

This non-alcoholic mocktail is simple to make and a delicious way to cool down. It’s a fantastic option for backyard barbecues, casual get-togethers, or just a quiet afternoon on the porch.

This recipe focuses on fresh, vibrant flavors that come together quickly, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sunshine. It’s a family-friendly beverage that everyone can enjoy, offering a delightful twist on classic lemonade.

Cucumber Mint Lemonade

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Quench your thirst with this easy cucumber mint lemonade recipe, perfect for a refreshing summer drink. This non-alcoholic mocktail is simple to make and a delicious way to cool down. It’s a fantastic option for backyard barbecues, casual get-togethers, or just a quiet afternoon on the porch. This recipe focuses on fresh, vibrant flavors that come together quickly, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sunshine. It’s a family-friendly beverage that everyone can enjoy, offering a delightful twist on classic lemonade.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 large cucumber

1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed

1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)

1 cup granulated sugar

4 cups cold water

Ice, for serving

Lemon slices and extra mint sprigs, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumber: Wash the large cucumber thoroughly. If using a regular garden cucumber, you might want to peel it to avoid any bitterness from the skin. For English cucumbers, peeling is usually not necessary. Cut the cucumber into rough chunks that will fit easily into your blender.

2. Blend the cucumber and mint: Place the cucumber chunks and the packed fresh mint leaves into a blender. Add about 1/2 cup of the cold water to help with blending. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and no large pieces remain. You should have a vibrant green liquid.

3. Strain the mixture: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher or bowl. Pour the blended cucumber and mint mixture through the sieve, pressing down on the solids with the back of a spoon or a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp left in the sieve. This step ensures your lemonade is smooth and free of fibrous bits.

4. Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar with 1 cup of cold water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. This creates a simple syrup that easily incorporates into the cold liquid without leaving grainy sugar at the bottom. Let it cool slightly.

5. Combine all ingredients: To the pitcher containing the strained cucumber-mint liquid, add the fresh lemon juice, the cooled simple syrup, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined.

6. Taste and adjust: Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s too tart, add a touch more sugar (dissolve it in a tiny bit of hot water first).

7. Chill and serve: For the best flavor, refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to ensure it’s perfectly chilled. Serve over plenty of ice in glasses, garnished with fresh lemon slices and extra mint sprigs for an appealing presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: drink
• Method: blending
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: lemonade, cucumber, mint, refreshing, summer, drink, mocktail, easy, non-alcoholic, party

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This cucumber mint lemonade is a true winner for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly refreshing, making it the ideal beverage for hot summer days when you need something light and hydrating. The combination of cool cucumber, zesty lemon, and aromatic mint creates a flavor profile that is both unique and universally appealing. It’s a fantastic non-alcoholic mocktail, meaning it’s suitable for all ages and occasions, from kids’ parties to adult gatherings where not everyone wants an alcoholic drink. This recipe shines when you need a quick and impressive drink that doesn’t require a lot of fuss or fancy ingredients. It’s perfect for casual entertaining, a simple family meal, or just as a delightful pick-me-up throughout the day. If you’re looking for a way to add a touch of spa-like refreshment to your routine, this is it.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Making this cucumber mint lemonade is straightforward, requiring only a few fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. You won’t need any specialized equipment, just standard kitchen tools.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large cucumber
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice, for serving
• Lemon slices and extra mint sprigs, for garnish

For the cucumber, choose one that is firm and blemish-free. English cucumbers work wonderfully as they have thinner skins and fewer seeds, but a regular garden cucumber will also be fine; just peel it if the skin is thick or waxy. When it comes to mint, fresh is non-negotiable for the best flavor. Spearmint is commonly used and readily available. For the lemon juice, always opt for freshly squeezed. Bottled lemon juice can have an artificial taste that will detract from the fresh profile of this lemonade. The sugar amount can be adjusted to your preference, but one cup provides a balanced sweetness that complements the tart lemon and cool cucumber.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, perfect for when you want a delicious drink without a long wait.

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Chilling time (optional but recommended): 30 minutes
• Total time: 15 minutes (or 45 minutes with chilling)

The majority of the time is spent juicing lemons and blending the ingredients. The optional chilling time allows the flavors to meld even further and ensures the lemonade is perfectly cold when served.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Follow these simple steps to create your refreshing cucumber mint lemonade. The process is designed to be easy, even for beginner cooks.

1. Prepare the cucumber: Wash the large cucumber thoroughly. If using a regular garden cucumber, you might want to peel it to avoid any bitterness from the skin. For English cucumbers, peeling is usually not necessary. Cut the cucumber into rough chunks that will fit easily into your blender.
2. Blend the cucumber and mint: Place the cucumber chunks and the packed fresh mint leaves into a blender. Add about 1/2 cup of the cold water to help with blending. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and no large pieces remain. You should have a vibrant green liquid.
3. Strain the mixture: Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher or bowl. Pour the blended cucumber and mint mixture through the sieve, pressing down on the solids with the back of a spoon or a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp left in the sieve. This step ensures your lemonade is smooth and free of fibrous bits.
4. Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar with 1 cup of cold water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. This creates a simple syrup that easily incorporates into the cold liquid without leaving grainy sugar at the bottom. Let it cool slightly.
5. Combine all ingredients: To the pitcher containing the strained cucumber-mint liquid, add the fresh lemon juice, the cooled simple syrup, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined.
6. Taste and adjust: Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice. If it’s too tart, add a touch more sugar (dissolve it in a tiny bit of hot water first).
7. Chill and serve: For the best flavor, refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to ensure it’s perfectly chilled. Serve over plenty of ice in glasses, garnished with fresh lemon slices and extra mint sprigs for an appealing presentation.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This cucumber mint lemonade is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of lemon juice slightly to make it less tart, or add a splash of sparkling water to individual servings for a fun fizz. If you want to make it even more visually appealing for a party, consider adding a few thin slices of lime or some blueberries to the pitcher.

For adult gatherings, this lemonade makes a fantastic base for a cocktail. A shot of gin or vodka turns it into a sophisticated summer drink. You could also muddle a few extra berries, like raspberries or blackberries, into the glasses before pouring the lemonade for an extra burst of fruit flavor and color. Serving it in a large glass dispenser with a tap makes it easy for guests to serve themselves at a buffet or barbecue. Don’t forget plenty of ice, as this drink is best enjoyed very cold.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.

• Using bottled lemon juice: This is the biggest mistake. Bottled lemon juice often contains preservatives and lacks the bright, fresh flavor of freshly squeezed lemons. Always use fresh lemons for the best taste.
• Not straining the mixture properly: If you don’t strain the cucumber and mint blend thoroughly, you’ll end up with a pulpy, less appealing lemonade. Use a fine-mesh sieve and press out all the liquid.
• Adding sugar directly to cold liquid: Granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquids, leading to a gritty texture. Always dissolve the sugar in a small amount of warm water to create a simple syrup first, then add it to the cold ingredients.
• Over-blending the mint: While you want a smooth cucumber-mint base, over-blending mint can sometimes release a slightly bitter flavor. Blend just until smooth, no longer.
• Not tasting and adjusting: Everyone’s palate is different, and the tartness of lemons can vary. Always taste your lemonade before serving and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This cucumber mint lemonade is best enjoyed fresh, but you can certainly make it ahead of time and store it for later. Store any leftover lemonade in a tightly sealed pitcher or container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and it often tastes even better the next day.

To make it ahead for an event, prepare the lemonade as directed and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, give it a good stir, as some of the ingredients might settle. Add fresh ice to individual glasses just before serving to prevent dilution. Avoid adding ice to the entire pitcher if you plan to store it, as it will water down the lemonade over time. If you want to prepare even further in advance, you can make the cucumber-mint base and the simple syrup separately and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then, simply combine them with fresh lemon juice and water right before serving.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use a different type of mint? Yes, while spearmint is common, you can experiment with peppermint or even chocolate mint for a slightly different flavor profile. Just ensure it’s fresh mint.

Do I have to peel the cucumber? If using an English cucumber, peeling is optional as their skins are thin. For regular garden cucumbers, it’s recommended to peel them, especially if the skin is thick or waxy, to avoid any bitterness.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar? Absolutely! The sugar amount is a guideline. You can reduce it to suit your preference for a less sweet, more tart lemonade. Start with less and add more if needed.

How long does this lemonade last in the fridge? When stored in

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.