Cucumber Water
Turn plain water into a refreshing drink in 5 minutes with this cucumber water recipe! Here are my tips for…
Turn plain water into a refreshing drink in 5 minutes with this cucumber water recipe! Here are my tips for the perfect spa-like infused 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 relaxion 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!
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 in 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 cold water.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Cheater tip: 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.
Use a standard or English 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. What’s the difference?
- 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 our 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.
Add-in ideas: herbs, lemon, and more
Once you’ve mixed up a batch of cucumber water, there are a few optional ingredients you can add before and after serving to make it really pop. This is perfect for entertaining! On the regular, we just drink it straight up.
- Fresh herbs like mint or basil: Add herbs when you add the cucumber; allow to infuse for 1 hour. See Cucumber Herb Water.
- Lemon or lime: I like serving this water with a few lemon wedges or slices, or you can let the citrus infuse. See Cucumber Lemon Water.
How long does cucumber water last?
Cucumber water lasts even longer than most infused water recipes. Plan to store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The cucumber holds up well to storage over time, which is not the case for other fruits and veggies like strawberries, which tend to fall apart (like in this Fruit Infused Water). However, it tastes best within 1 day!
It’s also great with sparkling water
Revive your cucumber water with some bubbles! You can add sparkling water or club soda to get a flavored bubbly water. We use a SodaStream, or you can use your favorite brand of sparkling water (La Croix, Topo Chico, etc).
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.
Cucumber Water
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeWhat makes hydrating easier? Cucumber water! Add spa-like tranquility to your day with this infused water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups
- Category: Drink
- Method: Infused
- Cuisine: Water
- 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.
More infused water recipes
If you love this cucumber water, you’ll definitely want to try my other infused water recipes! My lemon water or lime water with mint are incredibly zesty and refreshing, and my fruit infused water recipe adds natural sweetness. For something completely different, my collection of smoothie recipes offers options for when you want something more filling (like this strawberry smoothie).
