Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
Ingredients
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- 1 cucumber – cut into chunks (peel only if thick-skinned)
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup lime – juiced
- ice cubes – for serving
- cucumber – thinly sliced (for serving)
- lime – cut into wedges (for serving)
Instructions
1. Rinse the cucumber and limes. Peel the cucumber only if the skin is thick or waxed, then cut into chunks.
2. Add the cucumber chunks to a blender with 2 cups of the water, the sugar, and the salt. Blend on high until very smooth, 30–45 seconds.
3. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a pitcher and strain the mixture, pressing on the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids or reserve for another use.
4. Stir in the remaining 2 cups water and the lime juice until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust with a bit more sugar or lime to balance sweetness and acidity.
5. Fill glasses with ice. Pour in the agua fresca and garnish with cucumber slices or lime wedges. Serve well chilled.
Cucumber lime agua fresca is a light, thirst-quenching drink with a cool, green fragrance from fresh cucumber and a bright, citrus snap from lime. It’s lightly sweet, clean on the palate, and especially refreshing served ice-cold on hot days. The texture is smooth and crisp whether strained clear or left slightly pulpy, making it easy to sip in generous glasses.
Rooted in Mexico’s family kitchens, mercados, and street stalls, agua fresca (literally “fresh water”) refers to fruit- and seed-based beverages stretched with water and a touch of sugar. The tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when fresh produce was blended with water to make portable, refreshing drinks. While flavors like jamaica (hibiscus) and tamarindo are classics, cucumber and lime have become a popular modern pairing for their cooling qualities and bright balance.