Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Catrina
Is it warming up where you are at? If so, you need this refreshing cucumber mint limeade to cool you down! Cucumber mint limeade blends cool cucumbers and mint with a bit of lime juice and sugar to make a deliciously refreshing drink!
Here in Mexico, it is common to have your midday meal with a refreshing agua fresca, literally cool or fresh water. These drinks are made with a variety of ingredients from fruit like mango, papaya, watermelon, orange, guava, or vegetables, like cucumber, to flowers, like hibiscus! What’s so awesome about these drinks is:
- They are fast and easy to make
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients, and
- The sweetness can be customized to your liking!
This cucumber mint limeade is a favorite Mexican agua fresca of mine because the fresh flavor of the cucumber with the tanginess of lime, and the herby flavor of the mint leaves is perfect for cooling off in the hot summer weather! Don’t you think you need this delicious drink as you lounge by the pool during these summer weekends? The answer is, you do!
What’s in cucumber mint limeade?
- cucumber: I use a regular cucumber
- water
- lime juice
- granulated sugar
- spearmint leaves
Luckily, these ingredients are easy to find! Check the recipe card for the full ingredient quantities!
Substitutions and variations
Cucumber
I use a standard, regular cucumber for this drink. They are relatively cheap and widely available. If you prefer an English cucumber, you don’t need to peel it before blending.
Sugar
I have only tested this recipe with regular, granulated sugar. But you could use an alternative sweetener if desired. My suggestion is to add the sweetener slowly, and taste between additions. That will help ensure that this drink doesn’t become too sweet! Not all sweeteners can be substituted 1 for 1! So, definitely, taste as you go if you choose to use a different sweetener!
Lime juice
I use the juice from fresh limes for this recipe because I like the fresher flavor and I usually have them on hand. I need about 2 large limes to get the 1/4 cup of juice that this recipe calls for. Of course, if you don’t have fresh limes, you could use the bottled 100% lime juice available at most grocers.
Spearmint
I have tested this recipe with both spearmint and peppermint. Both mints work great here, but my preference is for the slightly sweeter, milder-tasting spearmint.
The bottom line is you can use whatever mint variety you have on hand and prefer.
How to make cucumber mint limeade
This drink is so easy to make! Below I give you a quick overview of the process, but please check the recipe card for complete ingredient quantities and process steps!
Peel and blend the cucumber
If you are using a standard cucumber like I do, then you will need to peel the cucumber before blending. Cut it into large chunks and put it in the blender with about 3 cups of water.
Strain cucumber to remove pulp
The cucumber pulp doesn’t really bother me in this drink, but I have included this optional step of straining the blended cucumber through a fine-meshed sieve if you like your drinks less thick. The drink presentation is also a bit nicer without the pulp, but whatever you prefer is fine!
Add other limeade ingredients
Pour the strained cucumber water back into the blender. Add the lime juice, mint leaves (whatever variety you are using), and sugar. Give the blender another spin on high speed until all of the ingredients are well-blended. You want to make sure that the mint leaves are blended into ultra-fine pieces.
Enjoy cold!
I usually pour this drink into a pitcher and leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours before drinking. But if you can’t wait that long, serve over ice!
FAQs and tips
What’s the difference between spearmint and peppermint?
If you are curious about the difference between these types of mint, though, I have provided a short explanation.
Spearmint has a less intense flavor with hints of sweetness. The leaves are typically longer, more pointed, and lighter colored than peppermint leaves. Spearmint is on the left in the picture above.
Peppermint has a strong menthol flavor. The taste is almost spicy (hence the name). The leaves tend to be rounder, darker colored, and the stems have a purple color. Peppermint is on the right in the picture above.
If you are looking for more in-depth information on peppermint vs. spearmint, you can check out this Reader’s Digest Article. I also found this article from heybigsplendor.com informative!
Can I use either spearmint or peppermint in this drink?
You may wonder if the type of mint is really important in this drink. And the short answer is that either peppermint or spearmint will work here. I tested this recipe with both and found both drinks to be refreshing! My personal preference is to use spearmint here because the flavor is milder and sweeter.
Related recipes
Looking for other refreshing summer recipes? Try the below!
Are you ready to try this refreshing, Mexican cucumber mint limeade? If you make this drink, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a star rating!
Cucumber Mint Limeade
Ingredients
- 1 large standard cucumber peeled and cut into large chunks ~13 oz or 370g, see notes
- 4 cups water, divided
- 1/4 cup lime juice Juice from about 2 large limes
- 1/4 cup packed spearmint leaves see notes
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar see notes
Instructions
- Place 3 cups of water and the cucumber chunks in a blender. Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds until the mixture has a smooth, even consistency.1 large standard cucumber peeled and cut into large chunks, 4 cups water, divided
- Using a fine-meshed sieve, strain the blended cucumber mixture into a pitcher. Use a spoon to stir the mixture in the sieve and ensure that the maximum amount of water drains through. Discard the cucumber pulp. See notes.
- Place the strained mixture back into the blender and add in the remaining water, lime juice, peppermint leaves, and sugar. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and no large chunks of peppermint leaves remain.1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup packed spearmint leaves, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 4 cups water, divided
- Taste for sweetness and add more if desired. I like to give this drink a quick whiz in the blender between each addition of sugar. Pour into a pitcher for serving.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or serve immediately over ice!
- Although the mixture is strained, you may still see some settling after the drink rests. This is normal! Just give it a quick stir before you pour into individual glasses.
Notes
- I use a standard cucumber for this recipe. If you choose to use an English cucumber, then you can blend without peeling.
- I like spearmint in this recipe. But I have made this recipe with peppermint too. Either mint variety will work fine!
- I like this drink with a hint of sweetness, but of course, you can add more or less sugar depending on your tastes! You could also use an alternative sweetener, if desired, however, I have only tested this recipe with regular granulated sugar.
- Straining this mixture is totally optional. I think straining makes for a prettier, less pulpy drink. But if you don’t mind a bit of texture, you could skip straining and include all of the ingredients in the blender from the start!
(The below nutrition label is included as a courtesy. Our terms and conditions explains our nutrition policy.)
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