Cucumber Agua Fresca Food

CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Combine 2 1/4 cups chopped cucumbers, 2 cups water, 1 cup ice cubes, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup lime juice, and 1 pinch of salt in blender. Blend until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth but slushy, about 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to pitcher. Repeat with remaining chopped cucumbers, 2 cups water, 1 cup ice cubes, sugar, lime juice, and salt.
• Place additional ice cubes in 8 glasses. Fill with cucumber drink.

CUCUMBER-LIME AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Puree 2 cups chopped peeled cucumbers, the juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons agave syrup, 1/2 cup mint and 1 cup water in a blender. Chill 30 minutes, then strain, pressing on the solids. Divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with cucumber and lime slices.

AGUA FRESCA DE PEPINO: COLD CUCUMBER DRINK

Steps:

• Put 1/2 cup of water in a blender container with 1 cup of sliced cucumber. Blend. Add more cucumber and blend. Continue until all the cucumbers are pureed.
• Strain the cucumber juice of its seeds into a very large pitcher. Add the remaining water, lime juice, and sugar, to taste. Chill before serving.

CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA WITH MINT AND GINGER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the mint leaves, sugar and salt, and crush them all together using a fork or the back of a wooden spoon just until the mint is bruised. Pour in the hot water, and stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes while you prepare the cucumbers.
• Combine the cucumbers and ginger in a blender. Zest the lime right over the blender, then halve it and squeeze in its juice. Pour in 1 cup room-temperature water and purée on high until smooth. Pour the purée through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing lightly on the solids with a spatula to extract the liquid. Discard the solids and pour the agua fresca into a medium pitcher.
• Pour the mint syrup through the same strainer into a container, pressing on the leaves to extract the liquid. Add ¼ cup strained syrup to the agua fresca. Taste and add more syrup or more lime juice to taste. Cover any leftover syrup and refrigerate for another use.
• Fill glasses with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with mint and serve immediately.

CUCUMBER-BASIL AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Slice a few thin slices of cucumber; reserve for garnish. Peel and coarsely chop remaining cucumber.
• Purée chopped cucumber, lime juice, basil, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 cups water in a food processor until very smooth. Strain into a pitcher and add 2 cups water, adding more sugar or water if needed, then chill until ready to serve. Add reserved cucumber slices just before serving.

WATERMELON-CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Place watermelon and 1 1/2 cups water in a blender, and process at high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add cucumber, lime juice, and sugar; blend until smooth. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer and using a spatula, press to remove the pulp. Don't skip this step, it's important.
• Pour the strained mixture into a large pitcher, add remaining 1 cup water, and stir well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer.
• Sprinkle some Tajin® (chili lime seasoning) onto a small plate. Run the lime wedge around the top of the glass, invert the glass, and dip the rim into the seasoning.
• Fill the glass with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with watermelon slices or wedges, and lime slices.