Agua de Pepino (cucumber agua fresca)
This refreshing agua de pepino (cucumber agua fresca) is lightly sweet, made with fresh cucumber, and with a tangy touch of lime. This is the perfect cool drink to enjoy during those hot days!
Enjoy this fantastic cold beverage pairing it also with your favorite Mexican snacks like taquitos or a bowl of guacamole & chips!
What Is Agua de Pepino?
Agua de pepino is a Mexican cold drink made of fresh cucumbers, water, sugar, and lime juice. It has a refreshing, sweet, and tangy flavor which is perfect to serve on hot days.
The recipe belongs to the aguas frescas category. In Mexico, these beverages are sold and served everywhere, from homes to restaurants, to markets and festivals.
You can find this drink also under the name of cucumber agua fresca or agua de pepino y limón in some places.
What Are Aguas Frescas?
Aguas frescas have been commonly consumed in Mexico for centuries. Those drinks are made with fresh fruits, seeds, vegetables, and cereals.
It is believed that during the Aztec era, people who traveled from various locations to the Gran Tenochtitlán will consume those beverages to stay hydrated during their long journeys.
Mexican legends say that the Aztecs would add ice from the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes to make those drinks more enjoyable.
Besides that they are cold and help you stay hydrated and cool during hot days, those drinks also have an important role in Mexican culture, as they are not only served at the family tables but also in every restaurant or street food stand.
Growing up in a tropical state in Mexico, my mother used to have always a large pitcher with agua fresca in the refrigerator, so we could accompany our meals with it.
We also had various fruit trees back on our patio such as a lime tree, mango, plums, nance, coconut, tamarind, and others. So my mom never ran out of ideas or ingredients to make frescas at home.
About Cucumbers
Cucumbers (pepinos) are low in calories and contain 96% percent of water. This vegetable is also packed with important vitamins and minerals. In a short list, they:
- Are good for hydration & detoxification.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Regulates blood pressure.
- Good for digestion.
- Aid in weight loss.
- Soothes your eyes.
- Good for your skin, hair, and nails.
Related: Best Cucumber Varieties to Grow at Home -By GardenersPath.
Now, let’s see what you need to make this recipe…
Ingredients Shopping List
- Cucumbers. You can peel them or leave the skin on. Using cucumbers with the peel provides more nutrients and a deep green hue to the drink.
- Limes or lemons. Anything you have available, even though limes add a particular flavor to this fresca. I like to add both sometimes.
- Sugar. I am using regular sugar in this recipe, but you can substitute it with honey, stevia, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.
How To Make Cucumber Agua Fresca
Useful Recipe Notes
- Don’t discard the cucumber seeds, they’re rich in minerals and fiber.
- Use water at room temperature because it will be easier to dissolve the sugar.
- If you using bio cucumbers, don’t peel them. Cucumber skins add more nutrients and also a nice greener color.
- Make it sugar-free by leaving out the sugar, or subbing it with monk fruit or stevia.
- Do not add ice to the pitcher unless you drinking the cucumber water within 10 minutes, ice will melt and dilute the drink making it flavorless. The best thing to do is add the ice to a glass and serve what do you intend to drink.
Recipe Variations
- Chia seeds. Chia is a nice source of vitamins and adds a nice texture to this agua de pepino y limon. Add one tablespoon while whisking the water to avoid the seeds clumping.
- Herbs. Besides the obvious and most common choice of adding mint to this fresca, try also basil, alfalfa (blended with cucumbers), or thyme. Those fresh herbs add a nice flavor and aroma to this Mexican drink.
- Fruits. Mix some fruits like kiwi, pineapple, watermelon, or mango for a nice tropical punch.
How To Store
This cucumber agua fresca will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure you store it in a large glass container with a tight lid to prevent it from absorbing other smells.
Watch How To Make It
Similar Recipes
Agua de pepino y limon (cucumber water)
Ingredients
- 2 medium cucumbers (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 6 cups water (room temperature)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- sugar (to taste, read notes)
To serve
- ice cubes
- cucumber slices
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Place cucumbers, lime juice and 2 cups of water on a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Strain mixture in a large pitcher.
- Add sugar to taste and stir well to combine.
- Add the remaining water and mix. Add more sugar if needed.
- Place the pitcher in the fridge. Allow cooling for 1 hour or serve in glasses with ice cubes.
- Garnish with cucumber slices and mint leaves. Enjoy.
Notes
- I used about 1/3 cup of sugar, but feel free to use more or also less if you want.
- Don’t discard the cucumber’s seeds, they’re rich in minerals and fiber!
- Use water at room temperature because its harder to dissolve the sugar in cold water.
- If you using bio cucumbers, don’t peel them! they add more nutrients and also a nice greener color.
- Add 1 shot of tequila, rum or vodka to each serving if you want a grown-up drink.
Nutrition Information
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*Music in video credits: Retro by Wayne Jones Music.
If mines turns out half as good as this, I’ll consider it a success for sure. Really love all the extra efforts keep them coming, we appreciate them very much
Loved this Agua de pepino!