Cucumbers may just be the perfect summer fruit—yes, it’s actually a fruit—and it’s 95% water, refreshing, and relatively neutral in taste, which makes it ideal for use in drinks.
But that’s not all: cucumbers are packed with biotin, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins B5, B6, A, E, K, and C. They are also an excellent anti-inflammatory [source] and good for detox [source].
Together with cucumber’s high water content, all these compounds make cucumbers one of our favorite beauty ingredients, too. Eating cucumbers promotes skin elasticity and collagen formation while also fighting free radicals [source] and flushing out toxins.
3 Cooling Cucumber Drink Recipes
It’s recommended that we eat at least one-half of a cucumber daily, which shouldn’t be so hard when you sip on one of these delicious drinks. Full recipes at the end of the post!
1. Low-Cal Cucumber Margarita
First thing that comes to mind when thinking fresh and healthy is the combination of cucumber with lemon. Cucumber seeds contain the same enzyme your body uses to help the liver metabolize alcohol [source], while its diuretic compounds flush the junk out of the system.
Cucumbers nourish the body’s cells with vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, to sustain their natural detox function. Lemons and limes are very alkaline, which is a good balance to the acidic nature of alcohol, and provide a fresh zing to your cocktail.
2. Hydrating Watermelon Cucumber Slush
Once you get over the stress of picking the perfect watermelon, the possibilities are endless. Mixing it with lime, cucumber, and mint is the easiest way to get hydrated when temperatures are on the rise.
It also doesn’t hurt that watermelon contains antioxidants such as lycopene [source] and amino acids such as citrulline [source], both of which contribute to heart health and lower blood pressure. Vitamin A, B6, and C are also part of watermelon’s arsenal and a good reason to include it in your summer diet.
3. Cucumber–Lime Daiquiri Recipe
Traditional daiquiri recipes contain only sugar, ice, lime, and rum. I like to play with new flavor combinations, and after a few experiments, I found this very interesting one.
Basil and cucumber are everywhere in the summertime, and white rum has a mild flavor that doesn’t compete with the produce while keeping the calories in check. A homemade basil syrup with agave nectar adds even more flavor with minimal calories and sugar.
The recipe for the basil-infused agave syrup is very basic. You can keep this syrup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks and use it in lemonades or other cocktail recipes. Its fragrant flavor adds an interesting twist to any summer drink.
Want more cucumber ideas?
Make your own cucumber spa water, or freeze the taste of summer with these cucumber basil spa pops.
3 Refreshing & Hydrating Cucumber Drink Recipes
Three light cocktail recipes with fresh cucumber juice to keep you hydrated on hot summer days.
Ingredients
Low-Cal Margarita with Cucumber Juice
- 2 pounds fresh cucumbers
- 6 limes, juice only (plus extra for garnishing)
- 2 oz triple sec
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 tablespoon organic raw honey
- Ice cubes to serve
Cucumber and Basil-Infused Lime Daiquiri
For the basil syrup
- 1 cup water
- Handful fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp agave nectar
For the cocktail
- 3 medium cucumbers (with skin)
- 3 limes, freshly squeezed juice only
- 3 tsp basil syrup
- 6 ounces white rum
- Ice cubes, lime slices, fresh basil leaves (to serve)
Watermelon Cucumber Slush
- 1 cucumber (peeled, cut into chunks)
- 4 cups watermelon
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 3 tbsp raw sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon/lime juice
Instructions
Low-Cal Margarita with Cucumber Juice
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Cut the cucumbers in cubes, and place them in the blender with the lime juice. Pulse to obtain a gorgeous green colored liquid.
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Use a colander to remove the cucumber pulp.
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Place the juice in a shaker with the ice cubes and honey.
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Pour into serving glasses, add a drizzle of triple sec, decorate with lime slices, and serve.
Cucumber and Basil-Infused Lime Daiquiri
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Mix all ingredients for the syrup, and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Cool, strain and store in the fridge for up to 3weeks.
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Wash the cucumbers thoroughly, cut into slices, and add them into the blender along with the lime juice.
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Process to obtain a gorgeous green liquid. Strain. Add the liquid in a cocktail shaker together with the white rum and some ice cubes. Shake well to combine.
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Fill the serving glasses with fresh ice cubes, then strain the daiquiri mixture into glasses. Add 1 teaspoon of basil syrup to each serving glass. Garnish with lime slices and fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately.
Watermelon Cucumber Slush
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Blend together and then pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the solids.
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Combine watermelon juice with 2 cups of ice in a blender and pulse until slushy.
Recipe Notes
Low-Cal Margarita with Cucumber Juice
If you don't have honey, feel free to use agave nectar, maple syrup, or even rice syrup. Unrefined Muscovado is also an option because it preserves all of the naturally occurring nourishing minerals from sugar cane.
You can scale this recipe up or down depending on the number of people you'll be serving.
Cucumber and Basil-Infused Lime Daiquiri
You can keep this syrup in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks and use it in lemonades or other cocktail recipes. Its fragrant flavor adds an interesting twist to any summer drink.
Watermelon Cucumber Slush
Best served immediately but you can also freeze any leftovers.