This cucumber water recipe is what I always make this time of the year. It’s a refreshing drink that doesn’t just quench the fiercest thirst during hot summer days; it is also packed with amazing health benefits.
Is Cucumber Good For Your Health?
Yes, it totally is!
Cucumber is one of the most nutritious and health promoting fruits that are available all year round in America. Most people consider it a vegetable because of the way it’s used in cooking. However, because cucumbers grow from flowers and contain seeds, they are botanically fruits.
Like other fruits, they are very high in nutrients and water but low in calories. A medium cucumber (about 8 inch length) provides about 45 calories.
In terms of micronutrients, cucumbers contain a significant amount of essential minerals. Besides potassium, magnesium, and calcium, the top nutrient in cucumber is vitamin K – a compound for good bone, hair, skin, and nail health.
Composed of 95% water, cucumbers are an excellent food to promote hydration and help you meet your daily fluid needs. With a bit of creativity, you can enjoy this fruit fresh or pickled in many dishes from salads to drinks.
How Long Should I Keep Cucumber In Water?
For the best result, I always refrigerate the cucumber water for 2 to 4 hours before drinking to give the flavor time to infuse throughout the water. However, cucumbers should never be kept in water for more than 12 hours because they will soften and may become slimy. If you don’t think you will drink it all before that time, simply take the cucumber slices out.
The longer cucumber water sits, the stronger the flavor will be; so you may want to try making the drink several times until you get the desired flavor.
Other Cucumber Water Combinations
Cucumber is wonderful paired with fresh fruits and herbs for a cooling infused water. From the base cucumber water recipe, I love to play around with different ingredients and flavors to create many cool and tasty combinations. Here are my best-loved combos:
Strawberry cucumber water
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cucumbers, sliced
- 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- 4 cups water
This is a perfect drink to jazz up your hydration routine. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants which have great benefits on heart health. The sweetness of strawberry and the sour note of lime are brought together well with the mild flavor of cucumber. This combo looks fantastically colorful and stunning in a water pitcher. It’s a great drink everyone will rave about!
Watermelon cucumber water
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
- 1 small lemon, sliced
- 4 cups water
This nearly zero-calorie thirst-quencher might become the reason you never want to drink soda or soft drinks ever again. As two healthy ingredients, watermelon and cucumber, naturally complement each other. They both have subtle refreshing flavors, making the drink utter\ly refreshing and delicious. In addition to the health benefits of cucumber, watermelon is a great source of vitamin A, C, and B6, as well as many essential minerals.
Cucumber Water Recipe
Ingredients
- 0.5 quarts water
- 2 oz cucumber sliced
- 2 oz orange sliced
- 1 oz strawberry sliced
- 1 tbsp mint leaves
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Instructions
- Wash the fruits and veggies to remove any traces of dirt. Keeping or peeling off the skin is totally optional.
- Slice the cucumber, orange, and strawberry into thin slices. Place as much sliced fruit as you like into a container or pitcher with water.
- Allow the flavor to infuse into the water by refrigerating for 2 to 4 hours. Serve cold.
Nutrition Info
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