Spices in My DNA; The Girl on Bloor

12 Reasons Why You Should be Adding Cucumber to Your Drinks

Have you ever noticed how adding a few slices of cucumber to a glass of water instantly makes it 10 times more refreshing? This got me thinking. In the hot summer months, why aren't we drinking cucumber in all our drinks? Cucumber lemonade, cucumber coolers, cucumber cocktails, cucumber everything.

Apparently, I'm not alone in my thirst quenching quest because there are a plethora of stellar cucumber drink recipes out there just waiting to cool down your summer. To keep you hydrated and happy, I rounded up the best cucumber drink recipes around so you can stay cool as a cucumber all summer long.

1. Cucumber Mint Lemonade

A good porch relaxation session requires a tall, iced cold glass of lemonade. This recipe makes it even more refreshing with the help of some cool cucumber and fresh mint.

Get the recipe here.

2. Sparkling Peach Cucumber Lemonade

If you prefer your porch drinks more on the fruity side, try this recipe. It's fruity, fizzy fresh, loaded with cucumbers, and tastes like summer.

Get the recipe here.

3. Cucumber Detox Spa Water

Want to make your own copycat spa cucumber water? Try this recipe. More than just adding cucumber slices to water, it calls for fresh lemon juice, mint sprigs, and chia seeds to keep you hydrated all day long.

Get the recipe here. 

4. Watermelon Cucumber Cooler

Cucumber and watermelon? It doesn't get more refreshing than this on a hot summer day.

Get the recipe here.

5. Cucumber Pineapple Agua Fresca

When it comes to cooling off, take a hint from Mexico and turn your cucumber into an agua fresca. With this recipe, you get the coolness of the cucumber, the sweetness of the pineapple, and the ideal way to beat the afternoon heat.

Get the recipe here.

6. Cucumber Melon Refresher

Summer soda shouldn't be sickly sweet. It should be thirst-quenching, slightly sweet, fizzy, and full of delicious flavor. Or rather, it should be like this recipe. It blends up honeydew, cucumber, fresh mint, agave, lime juice, and kombucha.

Get the recipe here.

7. Cucumber Berry Mocktail Spritzer

Summer parties could use a quality cocktail spritzer and this is it. It incorporates refreshing cucumber with the berry-liciousness of blackberries and brings it full circle with La Croix Curate Múre Pepino sparkling water. Add some mint leaves and you've got a party in a glass.

Get the recipe here.

8. Cucumber Basil Gin Fizz

This is like a cucumber salad in a glass, but better. It calls for limes, frozen limeade, basil, sparkling water, gin, and of course cucumber. Really, it's the green fizzy drink your taste buds have been waiting to happily imbibe.

Get the recipe here.

9. Cucumber Vodka Soda

It's easy to get dehydrated during the dog days of summer. So when you make your poolside cocktail you'll want a summer drink that hydrates too. Basically, you want this cooling Cucumber Vodka Soda. It's got cucumber juice, fresh lime juice, vodka, seltzer water, and sliced cucumber for garnish.

Get the recipe here.

10. Grapefruit Cucumber Gin Cocktail

Cucumber and grapefruit are the twists your gin cocktail has been waiting for. Crisp, citrusy, and clean, this is the epitome of refreshments.

Get the recipe here.

11. Cucumber Melon Gin Spritzer

This light drink is everything you want out of a summer cocktail. It's got a homemade melon simple syrup, gin, fresh mint, seltzer water, melon balls, and cucumber slices.

Get the recipe here.

12. Cucumber Mezcal Margaritas

It wouldn't be summer without a margarita and we've got the recipe you'll want to be sipping poolside all season long. Unlike traditional margaritas, it's got a little bit of a twist. Mixing up mezcal, lime juice, Grand Marnier, agave syrup, and cold pressed cucumber juice, it's a touch smoky with a hint of fresh cucumber.

Get the recipe here.

This post was originally published on August 22, 2018. 

Watch: 7 Reasons You Should Drink Kombucha Every Day.