Turn plain water into a refreshing drink in 5 minutes with this cucumber water recipe! Here are my tips for the perfect infused spa water, plus creative variations with herbs and citrus.
Want to make your hydrating more fun? Try cucumber water! You may have seen it at resorts or spas, and the botanical flavor tastes like poolside relaxation in a sip.
I love making a pitcher of this tasty infused water for parties, or simply when I want to make my daily water intake more enjoyable. Do you simply combine cucumber and water? Well, kind of. Here’s what you need to know about how to make this tasty drink!
5 Star Reader Review
“I harvested so many cucumbers from my garden that I didn’t know what to do with them until I came across this recipe. It’s quick, easy, and deliciously refreshing. It also makes drinking water so much more enjoyable.” -J
How to Make Cucumber Water, Step-By-Step
Cucumber water requires two ingredients: cucumbers and water. But to make it, you do need one extra thing: time! It takes 1 hour for the flavor to infuse into the water. Here’s what to do:
- Slice ½ cucumber into thin rounds.
- Muddle for maximum flavor. Here’s my secret: I gently mash the cucumber slices at the bottom of the pitcher with a wooden spoon before adding water. This releases those refreshing juices, creating a more flavorful drink.
- Add 8 cups of cold water.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a hurry? This infused water actually tastes pretty good after about 10 minutes. So if you’re in a rush, you can serve immediately. Just use very cold water.
Choosing Your Cucumber
You can use any type of cucumber for this cucumber water! Often, you’ll see it with the standard variety, but an English cucumber works, too:
- English cucumbers are long and straight, with a thin skin with ridges and very small seeds. Because the thin skin is so fragile, it’s sold with a plastic covering in the grocery store. This is my favorite type to use in cucumber recipes like cucumber salad or tzatziki sauce, because the flavor is so mild and it doesn’t need to be peeled.
- Standard slicing cucumbers are shorter, with thick, dark green skin and very large seeds. The thick skin and seeds can be bitter, so they’re often removed when cooking.
How Long to Leave Cucumbers in Water
One hour in the refrigerator gives you the best balance of flavor and vegetable crispness. You can serve it after about 10 minutes in a pinch, and you can also let it infuse overnight for a stronger flavor.
I don’t recommend leaving the cucumber slices longer than 3 days refrigerated, because after that the slices start getting mushy and the water can start to taste flat.
Creative Variations and Add-Ins
On the regular, I just drink it straight up, but there are a few optional ingredients you can add before and after serving to make it really pop. These are perfect for entertaining:
- Fresh mint: Add a few sprigs right along with the cucumber to brighten the flavor. (See my easy mint water recipe.)
- Lemon slices: Lemon adds a gorgeous presentation and add a pop of citrus. See my lemon herb cucumber water recipe.
- Lime: A few lime wheels are a fresh twist (check out my lime water recipe!).
- Basil: I especially like a small handful of basil with the cucumber.
Storage Tips
Cucumber water lasts even longer than most infused water recipes. Plan to store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. (Other fruits and veggies like strawberries tend to fall apart over time!) That all said, this cucumber water tastes best within 1 day.
Try It with Sparkling Water
Revive your cucumber water with some bubbles! One of my favorite ways to serve this is to fill a glass halfway with the infused cucumber water, then top it off with sparkling water or club soda.
I use a SodaStream at home, but any sparkling water brand works. For more inspiration, check out my quick guide to sparkling water and my roundup of delicious infused waters for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cucumber water is a refreshing and hydrating drink. Cucumbers are high in water content and contain vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and potassium. Staying hydrated is important for overall health, and cucumber water can be a tasty way to increase your water intake.
Yes, you can use any type of cucumber you prefer. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are often preferred for their thinner skin and fewer seeds, but regular slicing cucumbers work well too. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before using.
Yes, you can enjoy cucumber water daily as part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and enjoy the refreshing flavor of cucumbers.
It comes down to your personal preference! Cucumber water is mild and mellow, while lemon water is brighter and more tart. Of course, you can also put them together in cucumber lemon water.
Cucumber Water
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5 from 4 reviews
What makes hydrating easier? Cucumber water! Add spa-like tranquility to your day with this infused water.
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Infused
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium cucumber
- 8 cups (64 ounces) cold water
- Lemon slices, for serving (if desired)
- Fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice the cucumber.
- Add the cucumber slices to bottom of a pitcher. Use a wooden spoon to lightly muddle (mash) them several times to release the juices.
- Add the cold water. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. (You can add fresh mint sprigs if desired.)
- Flavor is best within 1 day, but you can store up to 3 days refrigerated. Serve with lemon slices if desired, or add a splash of sparkling water.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/dJgIqOi
