Wellness Origin HubCucumber, lime and mint agua fresca
Cucumber blended with lime, mint, a little sugar and cold water, then strained and poured over ice. A light cucumber agua fresca for hot days, ready in ten minutes.
Cucumber agua fresca is fresh cucumber blended with lime juice, mint, a little sugar and cold water, strained and served over ice. It is pale green, lightly sweet and very cooling, more like flavoured water than juice. A jug takes about ten minutes and needs only a blender and a sieve.
Aguas frescas, "fresh waters", are sold all over Mexico from big glass barrels at markets, street stalls and taquerias. They are made from whatever is in season: watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, hibiscus flowers, rice, tamarind. The idea is always the same, fruit or flowers thinned with plenty of water and sweetened lightly, so they quench thirst rather than fill you up. Cucumber with lime, often called agua de pepino con limón, is one of the most refreshing.
How to make it
- Wash the cucumber. Peel it only if the skin is thick, waxed or bitter, then chop it roughly.
- Put the cucumber, lime juice, mint, sugar, salt and half the water in a blender.
- Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds, until completely smooth.
- Pour through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing gently with a spoon. For a clearer drink, strain a second time.
- Stir in the rest of the cold water. Taste and add more lime or sugar if needed.
- Chill, or pour straight over ice and garnish with lime wheels and mint sprigs.
Tips for the best flavour
- Taste the cucumber first. Most cucumbers are mild, but the occasional one is bitter at the ends. Cut off a slice from each end and taste before you blend.
- Leave some skin on. The skin gives the drink its green colour. Thin-skinned cucumbers, such as English or Persian ones, can go in whole.
- Be gentle with the mint. Too much mint, or blending it for too long, can make the drink grassy. Start with a small handful; you can always add a sprig to the glass.
- Sweeten lightly. Agua fresca should taste of cucumber and lime, not of sugar. The amount above is moderate; many market versions are sweeter.
- A pinch of salt helps. It brings out the cucumber and makes the drink taste more refreshing.
- Serve very cold. Chill the water beforehand, or blend with a few ice cubes in place of some of the water.
Cucumber, juice or water
Agua fresca sits between plain water and juice. This is roughly how they compare, per large glass.
| Drink | Sweetness | Body | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water with lime | None | Very light | Everyday drinking |
| Cucumber agua fresca (this recipe) | Lightly sweet | Light | Hot days, with food |
| Fruit agua fresca (watermelon, pineapple) | Medium | Light to medium | Summer, parties |
| Fruit juice | High | Full | Small glass with breakfast |
Variations
- Pineapple and cucumber: replace a third of the cucumber with fresh pineapple and reduce the sugar.
- Chia: stir a tablespoon of chia seeds into the finished jug and leave for 15 minutes, as in Mexican agua de chía.
- Celery and ginger: add a stick of celery and a slice of fresh ginger to the blender.
- Sparkling: make the base with half the water, then top each glass with soda water.
- Basil: use basil in place of mint for a softer, more peppery flavour.
- Jamaica: for a deep red agua fresca made from dried hibiscus flowers, see our hibiscus iced tea.
Make ahead and storage
Keep the strained agua fresca in a closed jug or bottle in the fridge for up to two days. It separates as it stands, so stir before pouring. The lime flavour fades and the colour dulls after the first day, so for a party, make it the morning of. Add ice only to glasses, not to the jug, so it does not get watery.
Questions people ask
Do I need to strain it?
Not necessarily. Unstrained, it is thicker and keeps the fibre of the cucumber, closer to a thin smoothie. Straining gives the light, clear texture of market agua fresca. Both are fine. A good blender makes the unstrained version smoother; our blender guide covers the options.
Does cucumber agua fresca count towards hydration?
Yes. It is mostly water, and drinks like this count towards your daily fluid in the same way as water does. Our article on how much water you need explains how much most people need and how food and drinks both contribute. It is not a sports drink, though; after long, sweaty exercise you may need salt and other electrolytes too, as set out in our electrolytes guide.
Can I make it without sugar?
Yes. Ripe cucumber and lime are pleasant on their own, especially with a pinch of salt. Or sweeten with a few chunks of melon or pineapple blended in.
Photograph: AI-generated image
