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    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino)

    Published: Jan 31, 2021 · Modified: Apr 15, 2021 by Elise Shivamber · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) in a tall glass

    This easy, refreshing Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) is the perfect Summer drink. This recipe has cucumber, mint and lime poured over ice. A great healthy drink to keep you cool in the Summer. It is a non-alcoholic drink but but you can always add tequila, vodka, rum or gin!

    Agua fresca is a delicious fruity non-alcoholic drink that is perfect for any day of the year. My favorite time to enjoy these is in the Spring and Summer when I want as much fruit as possible in my diet. Try an Orange Agua Fresca / Agua de Naranja or a Pineapple Agua Fresca!

    Jump to:
    • What is Agua Fresca?
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Notes on Sugar
    • How to Store Agua Fresca
    • You May Also Like
    • 📖 Recipe

    I never tried agua fresca before moving to California. If I'm being honest, I never even heard of it before my move! Now that I've been introduced, there's no going back, I'm a converted agua fresca lover. It's refreshing, packs fruit, and is a bit tart - everything I love in one!

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) in a short glass with cucumber garnish

    Aguas frescas come in so many different flavors, from pineapple (agua de piña) to hibiscus (agua de jamaica). The first one I ever tried was one like this recipe. The mint, lime, and bright green color take me to a tropical place!

    What is Agua Fresca?

    Agua fresca is a traditional Mexican drink or juice. The literal translation of agua fresca is ‘fresh water’. It is water blended with fruit, tea, and/or vegetables. It is sweetened with sugar and served cold or over ice.

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) pouring into a tall glass

    Agua de pepino or ‘cucumber water’ is an agua fresca flavored with cucumber. To take it up a notch, I love adding mint and lime.

    What does agua fresca taste like?

    If you’ve never had agua fresca, think of it as a fruit-packed water, or like a lemonade or iced tea. Because the pulp is strained, the drink is smooth like water but packed with flavor.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) ingredients in the blender

    STEP ONE: Add limes, cucumbers, mint and sugar into the blender.

    STEP TWO: Pour the first four cups of water (or as much fits in your blender). Blend until smooth.

    STEP THREE: Strain into a pitcher. (Keep the pulp and you can use it to make a leftover pulp tropical simple syrup!)

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) pulp

    STEP FOUR: Add the remaining water. Add more sugar to adjust per your taste.

    STEP FIVE: Pour over ice in small glasses.

    Juicer Version

    If you have a juicer, juice the cucumbers, limes and mint. Add the juice to a pitcher and mix the water and sugar in.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • CUCUMBER. Definitely need cucumbers as the star of the show in the cucumber agua fresca. I used two English cucumbers. Substitute for four Persian cucumbers or two hothouse cucumbers if you can’t find.
    • LIME. Lime is a must have in the agua fresca.
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    • MINT. If you can’t find mint or don’t like mint, you can definitely leave it out. A good substitute would be basil, for a more savory taste.
    • SUGAR. Agua fresca can be too tart without sugar. I’m a huge fan of tart drinks, so I usually go lighter on sugar and you can too! It’s easily adjustable - add more after blending if it’s too tart for your preference. Use any type of sweetener. While I used turbinado sugar, try maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or simple syrup.
    • WATER. Any type of drinkable water is fine - I use tap water.

    Notes on Sugar

    I used raw turbinado sugar (a kind of white cane sugar) in this agua de pepino recipe. I definitely recommend using sugar or the agua fresca can be quite tart. I use a small amount and it’s easy to add more after blending.

    Any type of sugar works and is adjustable. Raw sugar works, but you could also use simple syrup, honey or agave to dissolve easier in the juice.

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) in a short glass

    How to Store Agua Fresca

    Keep agua fresca in a pitcher (without ice) in the fridge. It will last about 2-3 days.

    Before drinking again, stir to mix ingredients together.

    You May Also Like

    If you want more non-alcoholic drink ideas, try my Pineapple Ginger Juice or all-natural cranberry soda. For other agua fresca recipes, try Orange Agua Fresca or Watermelon Agua Fresca.

    📖 Recipe

    small glass of cucumber agua fresca with a mint leaf and a lime on the side

    Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino)

    Elise Shivamber
    This easy, refreshing Cucumber Agua Fresca (Agua de Pepino) is the perfect Summer drink. This drink recipe has cucumber, mint and lime poured over ice. A great healthy non-alcoholic drink to keep you cool in the Spring or Summer. (Serves 6-8)
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cooling Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 70 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 English Cucumbers skins still on
    • 3 Limes peels still on
    • ⅓ Cup Mint
    • ⅓ Cup Sugar see note below
    • 5 Cups Water 4 Cups + 1 Cup separated

    Instructions
     

    • Make sure all fruit and mint are thoroughly washed. Halve the limes. Cut each cucumber in the middle and then slice each half lengthwise.
    • Add cucumbers, limes, mint and sugar into the blender. Keep the skins of the cucumbers and limes on. Pour the 4 cups of water over. (If water doesn't fit in your blender, pour as much as fits. Then add the extra water in step 5)
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Strain into a large pitcher. Press on the pulp to get as much juice out as possible. (Save pulp to make a leftover pulp tropical simple syrup)
    • Add the separated 1 cup of water to the pitcher. (If all of the water didn't fit in the blender, add it at this stage)
    • Stir and add more sugar if preferred.
    • Pour directly over ice in glasses or place the pitcher into the fridge for later.

    Notes

    NOTE ON SUGAR IN RECIPE. I recommend starting with ⅓ cup sugar. For a sweeter version add ½ cup. If it's still too tart for your taste, gradually add by tablespoon, stirring the sugar into the agua fresca.
    JUICER RECIPE. If you have a juicer, juice the cucumbers, limes and mint. Add the juice to a pitcher and mix the water and sugar in.
    CUCUMBER. Definitely need cucumbers as the star of the show in the cucumber agua fresca. I used two English cucumbers. Substitute for four Persian cucumbers or two Hothouse cucumbers if you can’t find.
    LIME. Lime is a must have in the agua fresca.
    MINT. If you can’t find mint or don’t like mint, you can definitely leave it out. A good substitute would be basil, for a more savory taste.
    SUGAR. Agua fresca can be too tart without sugar. I’m a huge fan of tart drinks, so I usually go lighter on sugar and you can too! It’s easily adjustable - add more after blending if it’s too tart for your preference. Use any type of sweetener. While I used turbinado sugar, try maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or simple syrup.
    WATER. Any type of drinkable water is fine - I use tap water.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 70kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 228IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword agua fresca, cucumber, lime, mint
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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