Cucumber Limeade

I don't know what was going on today, but the heat in Brooklyn (and I suspect the rest of NYC, lol) was unbearable! And being that I don't have air conditioning, I was going nuts...it was horrible.

I braved the heat to do some quick produce shopping and picked up some cucumbers for a salad. During my walk home, I scrapped the idea of salad, but I didn't want the cooling, refreshing nature of cucumbers to go to waste...so I thought I'd copy what I'd seen in restaurants and just add some cucumber slices to a large pitcher of water.

By the time I walked through my door, I realized plain cucumber water wasn't going to cut it in this heat. I needed something that was both replenishing and refreshing, and what could be more refreshing than lemonade? Lemonade with cucumbers, of course!
Unfortunately, I didn't have any lemons, but limes worked just as well...


I was just about to grab some ginger to add to the syrup for the limeade...then I realized that I had a few mint sprigs just on the verge of retirement in my fridge. The perfect finishing touch, lol.

I'll try the ginger next time :o)

Cucumber Limeade
~ 2 1/2 quarts

3 large cucumbers
6 limes
4 cups water

Syrup
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
sprigs of mint (optional)


I started off with the syrup so it would have a little time to cool before adding it to the rest of the drink...

Bring the sugar, water and mint to boil in a small saucepan. Once the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is clear, set aside to cool.

Using a juicer, juice the limes and cucumbers. If you'd like a less intense lime flavor, zest off the skin before juicing...

I have to say, the cucumber juice smelled sooo good! My grandmother loves the smell of fresh cut cucumbers, and I never understood it...until today, lol!!

Combine the cucumber-lime juice, water, and simple syrup in a large pitcher and chill. That's it!

I sipped this throughout the day, and it did help keep me cool...but I really do need to get an air conditioner, lol...

Cheers!