Cucumber Cooler (Cucumber Agua Fresca)

This cucumber mint cooler mocktail is a our take on a cucumber agua fresca! Made from fresh cucumber, fresh lime juice, and fresh mint, this refreshing drink has a delicious balance of flavors. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot day!

I LOVE a good agua fresca recipe in the summer! These hydrating drinks are a sweetened flavored water that’s so refreshing when it’s hot out or you’re eating a spicy meal.

This cucumber agua fresca (agua de pepino) is a perfect example!

We flavor this easy drink with fresh cucumbers, mint, lime, a touch of sweetener, and a few little flavor boosters to round it out. Not only does it have a stunning bright green color, but the flavor is so bright and refreshing–it’s a perfect drink for warm weather!

You have to try one next time you’re making tacos, grilling, or sitting out by the pool!

There’s no fussing with simple syrup or hard-to-find ingredients. You just need 6 simple ingredients to get started…

Gather Your Ingredients

• Cucumbers. I like English cucumber for this cucumber mocktail because they’re thin-skinned and mild in flavor. Persian cucumbers and other thin-skinned varieties of cucumber also work well! 
• Water. A cucumber agua fresca needs plenty of water. I like cold water for the base and then I sometimes finish with sparkling water for a little fizz.
• Fresh Lime Juice. A must for some brightness and tang! Lime and cucumber are a natural pairing since their flavors are so complementary.
• Agave Syrup or Sugar. Next, for a bit of sweetness, I like using agave nectar (aka agave syrup). If you don’t have any, granulated sugar or cane sugar works here.
• Fresh Mint. Another way to add some freshness! Fresh mint leaves have a cooling effect and elevate the citrus flavor of the lime. They’re a must for this recipe!
• Maybe Some Fresh Ginger. If you have some, I recommend adding a bit of fresh ginger. It adds that little something extra that keeps you coming back for one more sip.
• Ice. If it’s not an ice cold cucumber agua fresca, I don’t want it!

How To Make This Cucumber Cooler Mocktail, Step By Step

As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below.

1. Blend. In a blender, combine cucumber, water, lime juice, agave, mint leaves, and fresh ginger (if using). Puree until very smooth. 
2. Strain TWICE. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer twice to remove any extra pulp. (I recommend stirring but not pressing the pulp in the strainer to avoid pushing extra pulp through.) Discard pulp and pour cucumber juice into a large pitcher. Taste and add more lime juice, or agave, as needed. 
3. Finish. When you’re ready to serve, add 2 cups sparkling water (or more cold water) to the pitcher along with about 2 cups of ice cubes. 
4. Serve & Store. Garnish with lime slices, a little bit of fresh mint, a few thin cucumber slices, or a cucumber ribbon & enjoy cold. Leftover cucumber agua fresca can be stored in the fridge 3-4 days. 

Variations & Twists To Try

• Add The Ginger! If you haven’t made this cucumber cooler mocktail with the optional ginger, try it! It adds a subtle spicy warmth that’s delicious with the cool flavors of mint and cucumber.
• Try a Splash of Pineapple. Or, add a splash of pineapple juice to the mix! This tropical flavor pairs perfectly, and adds a little extra sweetness.
• Swap Basil for The Mint. Basil might seem like a strange choice, but it’s DELICIOUS in drinks like Strawberry Basil Lemonade. It can be a fun alternative to mint here!
• Use Coconut Water. This will make the coconut mint mocktail sweeter,
• Get Fizzy! For more of a mocktail feel, you can finish with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale instead of sparkling water. It’ll get sweeter, but can be a fun, refreshing twist on a hot summer day!

FAQ + Tricks For The Best Cucumber Agua Fresca

Can I Use Another Kind of Sweetener? I’m using agave because it has a nice, neutral flavor that pairs well with mint and lime, but cane sugar/granulated sugar also works well! I do not recommend honey or maple syrup since they taste too strong for this cucumber mint mocktail recipe, but you can experiment with alternative sweeteners (like monkfruit or stevia), if desired.

Do I Need to Peel The Cucumber? That part is up to you! If you’re using a mild, thin-skinned variety of cucumbers, then you probably don’t need to. If your cucumber has thicker skin or stronger flavor, you probably want to peel it first. Just know that the dark green peel contributes to that bright green color, so cucumber agua fresca made from peeled cucumbers will have a lighter color.

More Gluten-Free Cookie Bars To Try

Classic Homemade Lemonade

Blue Hawaiian Mocktail

Homemade Cherry Limeade

Recipe Card

Cucumber Cooler (Cucumber Agua Fresca)

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5 from 1 review

• Author: Emily Dixon, Sweets & Thank You
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: about 8 cups 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This refreshing summer drink has notes of citrus, cucumber, and mint, making it the perfect cooling drink for a hot day! 

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Ingredients

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For The Cucumber Agua Fresca:

• 2 English cucumbers, cut into chunks*
• 2 cups water
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup agave syrup or granulated sugar*
• 10 fresh mint leaves (about 1/3 cup mint)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh mint leaves, cucumber ribbon, thin cucumber slices, lime slices

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Instructions

1. Blend. In a blender, combine cucumber, water, lime juice, agave, mint leaves, and fresh ginger (if using). Puree until very smooth.
2. Strain TWICE. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer twice to remove any extra pulp. (I recommend stirring but not pressing the pulp in the strainer to avoid pushing extra pulp through.) Discard pulp and pour cucumber juice into a large pitcher. Taste and add more lime juice, or agave, as needed.
3. Finish. When you’re ready to serve, add 2 cups sparkling water (or more cold water) to the pitcher along with about 2 cups of ice cubes.
4. Serve & Store. Garnish with lime slices, a little bit of fresh mint, a few thin cucumber slices, or a cucumber ribbon & enjoy cold. Leftover cucumber agua fresca can be stored in the fridge 3-4 days. 

Notes

• Cucumbers. I like English cucumbers because they’re thin-skinned and mild in flavor. If you’re using regular cucumbers, or want an even milder flavor, you can peel the cucumbers before chopping.
• Sweetener. I’m using agave because it has a nice, neutral flavor, but cane sugar/granulated sugar also works well! I do not recommend honey or maple syrup since they taste too strong for this recipe, but you can experiment with alternative sweeteners (like monkfruit or stevia), if desired.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Drink
• Method: Blender
• Cuisine: American

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