Agua de Pepino (or Cucumber Agua Fresca) is a hydrating, delicious Mexican drink perfect for a hot day.
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Growing up, this drink was not just reserved for summer. We made it all the time, all year long.
To this day, it’s one of my favorite agua frescas served next to a Ceviche de Camaron, of course! 😃
Light, crisp, and so refreshing. You’re going to love every sip!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- cucumbers, peeled and chopped 🥒
- water 💧
- granulated sugar (or to taste) 🍚
- Lime Juice 🍋
- Ice cubes ❄️
Selecting a fresh cucumber:
Choose cucumbers that are firm to the touch, without any soft spots or wrinkles.
Opt for a deep green color, avoiding any yellow or overly pale cucumbers.
Smaller cucumbers often have fewer seeds and a more concentrated flavor, making them ideal for this agua fresca recipe. 🌟
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the chopped cucumber, cold water, and sugar.
- Blend until smooth and well combined.
Agua fresca translated into English means “fresh water.” 💦
History
Aguas frescas, with their centuries-long history in Mexico, have been quenching thirsts since pre-Columbian times. Ancient Mesoamericans blended fruits, flowers, and grains with water, creating these refreshing drinks. The 16th-century Spanish added new flavors, enriching the aguas frescas tradition.
Today, these vibrant thirst quenchers remain a beloved part of Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, delighting taste buds worldwide. They are one of the best ways to enjoy fresh fruit. Agua Fresca de Pepino is a beloved variety, combining the natural crispness of cucumbers with a touch of sweetness for a drink that’s as healthy as it is satisfying.
- Strain the cucumber mixture through a fine mesh sieve and into a large pitcher or a bowl.
- Press down with the back of a spoon to extract all of the fruit juice.
- Discard the pulp.
OPTIONAL: Some people will skip this step and make a chunkier drink. This is up to you.
Other Names for this Drink
- Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
- Cucumber Lime Water
- Cucumber Limeade
- Agua de Pepino y Limon
- Agua de Limón y pepino
- Jugo de Pepino
If you see any of these names on the menu, you will get this drink.
- Add the remaining 4 cups of water, lime juice, and ice cubes to the pitcher.
- Stir to combine. 🥄
- Grab a glass and add plenty of ice.
Taste your cucumber water and lemon for good measure. It’s really a matter of taste.
A healthier option, of course, is to use less sugar or add a cup of water.
Or, add more lime juice for a more tangy flavor.
For my diabetic friends, use a sugar substitute like Stevia to sweeten the drink.
Pour into the glass and garnish with cucumber slices, if desired.
Pro Tips:
Adjust the sugar to taste, depending on your personal preference.
Try adding fresh mint leaves for a burst of extra refreshment! 🍃
For a grown-up twist, mix in a splash of gin or vodka for a cucumber-infused cocktail as in this Spiked Agua de Pepino recipe🍹 or Cucumber Gin Cocktail.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Or, cover the container with plastic wrap to preserve freshness and important vitamins.
Place in a sealable plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Agua de Pepino (or Cucumber Agua Fresca) tastes like a spa day in a glass – refresh, relax, and relish every sip! 💆♀️🥤 Make a big pitcher of this popular Mexican Agua Fresca today.
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Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
Equipment
- Blender
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers peeled and chopped
- 6 cups water
- ½ cup fresh lime juice about 5-6 limes
- ⅔ 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was recently republished. You might remember the old images.
This light, refreshing and fabulous flavored agua fresca is going to be the hit of the summer in my house.
Sounds great! Hope you and your family enjoy my Agua de Pepino recipe.
This is the perfect drink to sip while sitting out on the porch on a hot summer’s evening! So light and refreshing. Thanks for sharing!
You’re absolutely right! Agua de Pepino is indeed the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer evening while sitting out on the porch. Hope you enjoy!
This is so so refreshing! Absolutely love it. Perfect time of year for it now!
It’s indeed a perfect drink for the warmer season. Glad you enjoyed this recipe.
We made this refereshing cucumber cooler for Mother’s Day and this was a hit!
That’s wonderful to hear! I’m glad this Agua de Pepino was a hit on Mother’s Day. Cheers to many more delicious and memorable moments with your loved ones!
Such a perfect drink on a hot summer day!
Absolutely! Agua de Pepino, or Cucumber Agua Fresca, is indeed a perfect beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s so refreshing!
So delicious! I made a half recipe today because it’s just for me. Also I put a few mint leaves in with the cucumbers. Yum! I used my Vitamin and the mixture was completely smooth. I strained it, but there was nothing left in the strainer. I’ll be making this regularly. Thanks.
Yum. With mint leaves, delicious!
This was so easy to make and Soooooo delicious & refreshing. Thanks for the Recipe. Geneva
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I made this aguafresca today and my kids love it! Thank you Maggie!!
Yay! So glad they enjoyed it. 🙂
I made this today and …. wow. So easy peasy limon sqeezy! I’ve always loved agua frescas. Thank you! Delicious!
That’s awesome! This is my favorite agua fresca.
I love cumber and I love lime! I made this agua for my family this morning. It’s delicious and refreshing. Perfect for summer!
I think so too delicious glad you liked it
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!
Sounds delicious. Has anyone tried it with honey in place of the sugar?!
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.
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 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.
Made this and it was so refreshing and easy. We have more of a sweet tooth, so I added 1 cup of sugar instead 😉 also didn’t have limes on hand but had loads of lemon and it came out just as yummy! Thanks for the recipe ! We will be enjoying this quite a bit this summer
One of my favorite Agua frescos! Happy to Hera you enjoyed it. 🙂
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!
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 sounds so refreshing, and the perfect way to cool off this summer!
It’s my favorite summer drink. 🙂
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. 🙂
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!