Cucumber Lemonade

This 4-ingredient cucumber lemonade is a super refreshing, thirst-quenching, super-hydrating beverage perfect for sipping on hot summer days! Sugar-free + flavored options available!

Super Refreshing Cucumber Lemonade Recipe

Simple, clean, crisp cucumber lemonade is a simple and refreshing drink any time of the year, so making the step to cucumber lemonade was practically inevitable as the weather heats- perfect for enjoying pool-side, at picnics, gatherings, and to keep in your fridge all summer between pitchers of basil lemonade, watermelon cooler, and fresh strawberry lemonade.

Honestly, this cucumber lemonade recipe is not only a refreshing twist on the classic, but it’s one of the easiest lemonade recipes you’ll try. There’s no simple syrup making or cucumber de-seeding. Just chop the ingredients, chuck everything in a blender, and in 2 minutes, it’s ready.

Even better, there are several ways to add your own personal twist to this crisp, summery homemade lemonade, including using your choice of sweetener (refined, unrefined, or sugar-free) and/or adding fresh herbs, or fruit.

The Ingredients

• Cucumber: Use ripe, firm cucumbers to add the delicious, subtle, yet super fresh flavor to the cucumber lemonade recipe. I prefer to use English cucumbers, which are rarely bitter.
• Lemons: Use Meyer lemons for the sweetest, most flavorful homemade lemonade. Cucumber limeade will also taste delicious.
• Water: You can use regular still water or sparkling water. However, if using the latter. Blend the ingredients with still water and top it up with the sparkling.
• Sweetener: There are several ways to sweeten the cucumber lemonade recipe, including regular granulated white sugar, agave, unrefined sweeteners like raw can sugar, or a sugar alternative, like xylitol/erythritol. Adjust the amount to taste.

You could also use a homemade simple syrup by combining equal parts water and granulated sugar (but feel free to use less sugar) in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Leave to cool and enjoy!

What Else Could I Add?

• Basil: Use fresh, vibrant, aromatic leaves to create delicious cucumber basil lemonade.
• Mint leaves: The fresh and delicious flavor of mint complements cucumber’s freshness for a super summery, refreshing mint cucumber lemonade.
• Rosemary: Add subtle, aromatic, herbal flavor by adding a sprig of rosemary to the pitcher of cucumber lemonade while it chills before serving.
• Ginger: For the slightly spicy, zingy flavor of ginger, add some finely grated ginger.
• Elderflower syrup: Just a little, as it really complements the cucumber flavor. You can use this alongside or instead of another sweetener.
• Lemon peel: Add lemon zest or peel for a more intense citrusy flavor without tart flavor.
• Watermelon: Increase this lemonade’s super refreshing, hydrating quality with about ¼ of a small watermelon (cut up or blended into the cucumber lemonade).

You could garnish the lemonade (or muddle it into the drink) with other fruits, too, like fresh berries, mango, pineapple, peach, etc.

• Chia seeds: Add 3-4 tbsp chia seeds to this lemonade and leave it to chill for several hours for added texture and protein.

For enhanced presentation, add watermelon or other fruits and use a melon baller or shape cut-out tools to add to the pitcher.

How to Make Quick Cucumber Lemonade

• 1) First, peel and roughly chop the cucumber and peel and quarter the lemons (remove as much white pith as possible).

Alternatively, juice the lemons to avoid having any bitter peel/pith in the drink. Though we’ve found it isn’t necessary – it’s up to you.

• 2) Then, add the prepared ingredients, sugar, and one cup of water to a blender and blend for about 1 minute until smooth.

• 3) Add the remaining water, pulse a few times, then taste and adjust the amount of sugar and lemon if preferred.

• 4) For smooth lemonade, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or nutmilk bag, squeezing/pressing well.

Enjoy the lemonade as-is or in glasses with ice. Optionally, garnish the cucumber lemonade with thin cucumber ribbons.

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Not peel or peel the cucumber: We prefer to do the latter, as cucumber peel can add a bitter flavor to the lemonade. However, it’s up to you. Cucumber seeds can also be slightly bitter, so de-seed it if preferred.
• Tweak to taste: Easily adjust the amount of sweetener and lemon juice to your liking.
• Chill before serving: For the best flavor, allow the cucumber lemonade to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to meld.
• To avoid watered-down lemonade: Add ice to cups rather than the pitcher. OR make special cucumber lemonade ice cubes, so they don’t dilute the flavor as they melt.
• Zest the lemons: Even though zest isn’t required for this recipe, if you zest the lemons before juicing them, you can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Storage Information

Store any leftover cucumber lemonade in a covered jug in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, stirring well between servings.

More Fun Vegan Drinks

• Refreshing mango bubble tea
• Fresh watermelon slushie
• Virgin Bloody Mary
• Ginger fruit smoothie
• Green milk tea
• Kale pineapple smoothie

Or enjoy browsing our entire collection of budget-friendly vegan drink recipes!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla