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Cucumber Lemonade at Home
Instructions
I get the ingredients ready for the cucumber lemonade. I use fresh, thin-skinned cucumbers without any bitterness – they give the drink a delicate base.
I trim the ends off the cucumbers and cut them into several pieces. The ends can be bitter, so I always cut them off.
I move them into the blender bowl.
If you like, you can add a little water to the bowl – it will be easier for the blender to break down the cucumbers. I switch it on to maximum speed for about 2 minutes, until smooth.
I move on to making the sugar syrup. I pour 150 g of sugar into a saucepan.
I pour 150 ml of warm water (about 50–55 °C) over the sugar. I stir until the sugar dissolves completely – warm water dissolves sugar faster than cold.
I separate the juice from the cucumber pulp. I strain the cucumbers through a sieve into a separate container. One filtering is usually not enough – we will do a second, more thorough one at the end.
I pour the cucumber juice into the sugar syrup. This gives a "cucumber concentrate".
Using whatever method is handy, I squeeze the juice of two lemons into the saucepan with the cucumber juice. The lemon gives the classic "lemonade" note and balances the sweetness.
I pour 2 l of cold water into the concentrate and stir everything together.
I strain it through a sieve and serve straight away. If you want to get rid of the last of the cucumber pulp, strain it once more thoroughly through several layers of cheesecloth. The cucumber lemonade at home is ready. I serve it with ice and slices of lemon and cucumber to garnish.Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- 1
CHOOSE cucumbers that are tender, thin-skinned and fresh – old or overgrown ones will be bitter. Taste a piece before blending.
- 2
For a brighter cucumber aroma, DO NOT PEEL the skin – this is where the essential oils are concentrated. But be sure to wash them well.
- 3
Filter TWICE – through a sieve and then through cheesecloth – for a clean, clear lemonade without pulp.
- 4
Serve it WITH ICE and slices – of both cucumber and lemon. This adds to the refreshment and makes a lovely presentation. The same trick works in other summer lemonades.
Video
FAQ
Can cucumber lemonade be bitter? +
Yes, if you happen to get "bitter" cucumbers. Causes of bitterness: variety (some early ones have a touch of bitterness), too much water during watering, lack of sun, the cucumber ends (they contain more cucurbitacins). How to avoid it: taste a piece before using, always cut 2–3 cm off each end, peel the skin from bitter specimens, and use only young cucumbers. A bitter lemonade can be rescued by adding 1–2 tbsp of honey or by doubling the sugar. But the best way is to start with good-quality cucumbers.
What can you add to the flavour? +
Variations. Minty: blend 5–7 mint leaves together with the cucumbers – the classic "cucumber and mint". Ginger: 1 tsp of grated ginger in the syrup for a spicy note. With elderflower: 2 tbsp of elderflower cordial in place of some of the sugar for a floral aroma. Fizzy: replace 500 ml of the cold water with sparkling water for a summer "cocktail". With strawberry: 100 g of strawberries in the blender for a sweet pink version. Grown-up alcoholic: 50 ml of vodka or gin per glass for a "Garden Gin" cocktail.
How long does the finished lemonade keep? +
In the refrigerator in a sealed bottle – 1–2 days. On the second day the taste often becomes brighter as the cucumber fully "opens up". I do not recommend keeping it longer – cucumber juice spoils quickly and develops a "sour" aftertaste. At room temperature – 4 hours at most. You can freeze it in ice-cube trays to get "cucumber cubes" that you add to plain water for a quick refresher. The concentrate (after step 9) can be frozen in a plastic bottle for up to 1 month.
Is it suitable for children? +
Yes, cucumber lemonade is one of the safest and healthiest drinks for children. Cucumber is 95% water with mineral salts – a great alternative to shop-bought juices. For little ones (3+ years), dilute the finished lemonade with water 1:1 to reduce the acidity. Instead of sugar you can use 1 tbsp of honey (for children over 1 year old). For a first taste, give 50 ml and watch how they react: citrus can sometimes cause allergies. In the summer heat cucumber lemonade is great for hydration – it can be drunk more often than sugary drinks.
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