Cucumber Mint Lemonade
Few things in life feel more appropriate for summer than this lemonade. It is crisp, cool, and insanely refreshing without being overly sweet. The mint adds subtle sophistication, and the fresh cucumber juice is packed with cooling health benefits perfect for hot days. We are just obsessed.
Cucumber Mint Lemonade
Makes about 8 cups
2 cups fresh lemon juice ~ 18-20 lemons worth
large bunch fresh mint ~ 1 oz
2-3 large cucumbers, peeled + chopped ~ 2 pounds
3/4 cups sweetener of choice, or more
4 cups water
Combine mint, cucumbers, sweetener and 3/4 cup of water in a blender. If it doesn't fit, feel free to do it in two batches. Blend on high until completely pureed. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. You can use a spatula to help it through. Discard the solids. Mix the cucumber juice mixture with the lemon juice and add remaining 3 1/4 cups water. It's not a very sweet lemonade, but feel free to adjust to taste adding extra water or sugar. Keeps fresh for about 2 days.
Notes:
- Though totally not a problem, if you don't peel the cucumbers completely the lemonade will be slightly green in color.
- Feel free to play with the amount of mint. I've made this lemonade with a small handful of mint leaves, a giant bunch (1.5 oz) and a medium bunch (.75 oz). I think the strong minty flavor is super refreshing and love the giant bunch, but for something subtler go for less.
- What about a juicer? I wanted this recipe to be accessible to non-juicer owners so I experimented first with the blender/sieve technique then the juicer. Both work, and I could be crazy, though I found the blender method actually produced better minty flavor.
- I've tried this lemonade with coconut sugar, cane sugar, and agave. All work great.