Cucumber Agua Fresca
Agua fresca de pepino or cucumber agua fresca is a delicious and refreshing beverage made from fresh cucumbers, citrus juice, water, and a touch of sweetener. Drink this juice as is or top with sparkling water. Mix with alcoholic spirit of choice to make fresh cocktail! Yield: 4 ½ cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6
Calories: 224kcal
Blender
strainer or cheesecloth
- 2 pounds cucumber
- 2 cups filtered water
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 Tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ cup simple syrup, or more to taste
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
In a blender, combine cucumber, filtered water, lime juice, and lemon juice. Process until smooth.
Pour mixture through a fine strainer (or cheesecloth lined strainer) to separate the pulp. Squeeze out all must liquid as you can. You will end up with about 4 cups of liquid. Discard pulp. *Straining is optional, but highly recommended. Pour into a large pitcher. Sweeten with 1/2 cup simple syrup, or adjust according to taste preferences. Enjoy immediately served over ice. Or, keep chilled in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
Simple Syrup:
Combine water and sugar in a heavy bottom sauce pot. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge up to a month.
- Agua fresca keeps in the fridge for up to 72 hours. Ideally, you should consume the fresh juice within 48 hours for best results.
- Any variety of cucumber will work (slicing or pickling). You may keep the skin on, peel some of the skin, or peel all the skin. Keep in mind: there is flavor in the skin of the cucumber.
- Use fresh cucumbers that are firm to the touch. Do not sure soft or soggy cucumbers.
Sparkling Cucumber Agua Fresca Recipe:
- Add 1/2 cup cucumber agua fresca to serving glass half full of ice. Top with chilled sparkling water of choice. Stir to combine.
Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.4g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g, Sodium: 26mg, Potassium: 235mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 56g, Vitamin A: 111IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1mg