I was at a restaurant in Mexico the other day, and the waiter told me that they were making Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca in the kitchen.
It wasn’t on the menu and “exclusive for a short time.” Translation: “until they run out.” FYI: This is very common in Mexico.
These are the advantages of being fully bilingual: being able to order stuff on the restaurant’s hidden menu.
Many people enjoy this beverage in the summer, but south of the border, we drink it all year long.
How to Make Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
- Peel a cucumber.
- Chop it into pieces.
The weird thing about traveling back and forth to Mexico is existing in two countries, two completely different cultures.
Even for Mexican-Americans who don’t visit the motherland often, they experience a cultural change. For me, though, I love being able to move so easily in both countries.
Some people ask me: Is Mexico safe? … You guys, Downtown San Diego scares me more than Mexico.
Have you seen that homeless lady singing and dancing in the middle of the street as cars and buses try to dodge her? I don’t know whether to clap or cross to the other side of the street!
- Add chopped cucumber, sugar, lime juice, and 3 cups water to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
This Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca is a very popular beverage. I know it sounds strange.
You want me to drink a Cucumber? YES! Cucumber is a fruit.
It is not too sweet and will quench your thirst when you need it most.
Key limes is what we normally use in Mexico. Not regular limes.
Look for them next time at the grocery store. They are usually cheaper than regular limes.
- You can use regular limes, if you do not have any key limes.
- You can also use lemon instead.
There are parts of Mexico that get extraordinarily hot in the summer, and remember that most places don’t have AC. You’ll see señores riding in bikes with large containers of Agua Frescas.
You can also find them at ice cream and popsicle shops. They are everywhere because there is no waste. You gotta do something with overly ripe fruit. It’s a genius invention!
As you can tell, this agua fresca recipe is very easy to make.
- Make sure that the cucumber is fully blended.
- The mixture will be chunky.
Even my gringo husband is starting to learn Spanish, and not just the bad words either. 😉 … He loves this Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca. The two go together so well.
Every now and then, after our Little Red has gone to bed, we add some adult liquid (like vodka) to make a Cucumber Lime Alcoholic Drink. It makes a delicious beverage for those 21 years and over!
- Strain the cucumber mixture.
- Add water and more sugar, if needed.
- Stir to combine.
We have names for everything. If you don’t have a nickname, stick around a Mexican long enough, and you’ll get one.
That said, there are several names for this drink.
Other Names for this Drink
- Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
- Pepinada
- Cucumber Lime Water
- Cucumber Limeade
- Agua de Pepino
- Agua de Pepino con Limon
If you see any of these names on the menu, you will get this drink.
It will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it into cubes or popsicles.
For the adults 21 and over, I made a variation of this in a Cucumber Gin Cocktail.
This agua fresca recipe is a real keeper. Deliciously refreshing, cool, light and crisp.
Personally, I love this drink with a seafood dish like Coctel de Camarones or a tasty Avocado Mango Salsa.
Make it for your next summer gathering. It will blow your guests away. Hope you enjoy!
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Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
Equipment
- Blender
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers peeled and chopped
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 5-6 limes
- 2/3 cup sugar
Instructions
- In a blender add cucumbers, lime juice, sugar, and 3 cups of water.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the liquid into a pitcher.
- Press down with the back of spoon to extract all of the juice.
- Discard the pulp
- Add the remaining water.
- Taste for good measure.
- Serve chilled over ice.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Pineapple Agua Fresca, or Agua de Piña, is one of those drinks that screams summer. Make a big batch of this yummy and sweet Mexican drink. It’ll be gone in no time.
When it’s hot out, nothing beats the heat like Cantaloupe Agua Fresca, or Agua de Melon. Refreshing and sweet, light and delicious. A perfect drink for summer or all year long.
Banana Agua Fresca, or Agua de Plátano, is what you need to make this summer. A crisp and delightful Mexican drink made with ripe bananas.
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Not sure about this one. Only way I will know is to try it and see what everyone thinks.
You’re going to love it. Hope you try it!
Give me some vodka and this would be perfect 😉 Cucumber is always great infused in water, I bet this is even better!
Oh yeah! We add a little vodka to this agua fresca … after our kiddo has gone to bed. 🙂
This sounds so refreshing, and the perfect way to cool off this summer!
It’s my favorite summer drink. 🙂
THis looks like a beautifully refreshing drink. Yum! I am looking forward to a few weeks from now after I have my baby and enjoying a drink like this in the summer sun!
I can’t wait for the sun to come out. It’s been playing peek-a-boo in San Diego…
This is a great drink for summer! The flavors you used are wonderful, and it sounds so easy to make. Definitely, need to try this.
Easy and refreshing. Love this drink!
Just so you know, I made this sugar free because I’m doing a keto diet, and it was delicious. I used Swerve (powdered dissolved easily) which is an all natural sweetener mix of stevia and erythritol. To taste as I don’t think it is one to one with sugar. Very yummy and low cal.
My dad is a diabetic. How you made it is exactly how I make it for him.
This was so delicious!!! I used 1.5 large peeled/seeded cucumbers, 4 large limes (approx 150 mL), 1 tbsp agave, 2 stevia packets, 2 shakes of salt. And a couple cups of water and ice. It was a little tart but so good, so refreshing. Took it to a friend gathering and everyone loved it. Served 4 with multiple refills.
I read your comment and had to make this Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca again. Love it! Thank you for making this recipe.
Just made this! Super easy and so yummy! I plan to use it in a drink I had at a restaurant that added gin and extra lime juice.
Sounds delicious. Has anyone tried it with honey in place of the sugar?!
Just made this today. We have an over abundance of home grown delicious limes and this makes good use of them! It’s very very frefrshing! Tonight? We will add some vodka! Thanks for the recipe. Really fantastic!
We sometimes add vodka too. Love this agua fresca!