Cucumber is great in salads and sauces…but an even better use for this green veggie, in our opinion? In drinks! Here’s one that’s absolutely perfect for summer: Cucumber Lemonade! The vegetable adds a cooling, vegetal finish to any drink that’s reminiscent of spa water. Combine that with the zing of the lemon, and it’s the ideal drink for sipping on the patio for a summer barbecue. It’s easy to make: here’s how it’s done!
Ingredients for cucumber lemonade
Cucumber lemonade is simple to whip up using a blender for bringing out the flavor of this green vegetable. Blend the cucumber with sugar, then mix it with lemon juice to form lemonade. You can use any type of cucumber you have: a standard cucumber or English cucumber. English cucumber is typically our preference for salads because of its thin skin and lack of seeds. But you can use a standard cucumber here if you peel and remove the seeds: so either works! You’ll need:
Cucumber Lemons Sugar
How to make cucumber lemonade (basic steps)
Making homemade lemonade is easier than you think! the only time consuming part is juicing the lemons. Here are a few notes on the process, or jump to the recipe below for quantities:
Juice the lemons. Using a press juicer is the quickest way to juice lemons: it gets out the most juice and saves your fingers from tiring out from squeezing. Blend the cucumber, sugar and water. Give it a whiz in the blender. Strain it with a fine mesh strainer! This removes any sediment that might float on the top of the surface of the lemonade. Mix the pitcher. Mix the cucumber syrup with lemon juice and water in a pitcher. That’s it!
For the garnish
Serving this cucumber lemonade for a party or entertaining guests? It’s nice to add a few garnishes to the glass to make it look festive. Here’s what we like to do:
Cucumber slices: Add a few cucumber slices to the glass or pitcher; you’ll need to buy an extra cucumber for this. Lemon wedges: Lemon wedges or wheels also look lovely in a glass or pitcher! Colored straws: It’s all about the presentation! We like adding these striped paper straws to glasses.
Variations on cucumber lemonade
Want to add a spin on this cucumber lemonade? Here are a few ways to step it up:
Sparkling lemonade: Replace 4 cups cold water with soda water for a sparkling variation. Spiked lemonade: Spike it by the glass! Add ¼ cup vodka or 3 tablespoons gin to 1 cup cucumber lemonade. Arnold Palmer: Make a Cucumber Arnold Palmer by mixing 6 tablespoons lemonade with 1 cup iced tea.
More lemonade flavors? Try Ginger Lemonade, Mint Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade or Watermelon Lemonade.
More cucumber drinks
There are many of ways to add this green vegetable to drinks, from cocktails to water! Here are a few ideas you’ll love:
Try quick and easy Cucumber Water Opt for Cucumber Juice or a Easy Cucumber Smoothie Try a Cucumber Margarita, Cucumber Martini, Cucumber Gimlet or Sparkling Cucumber Cocktail Browse all our 12 Cucumber Drinks & Cocktails!
Dietary notes
This cucumber lemonade recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free. 5 from 2 reviews
