Watermelon cucumber cooler

Summer might be over but there is still time to enjoy a few of it’s treasures.  This is a super simple but delicious beverage.  Juicy watermelon and cucumber combined with lime make for a refreshing drink perfect to sip on the last warm days ahead.  If you don’t like the taste of cucumber you could easily make it without but I love the crisp, clean brightness that it adds.  Muddling a few basil leaves in the bottom of your glass enhances the bright herbal notes of the cucumber.  If you’d like to make this a cocktail add 2/3 cup of vodka to the mix.

Watermelon cucumber cooler

  • 6 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 large english cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves
  • cucumber slices for garnish
Method:

Set a large fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher.  In a food processor or belener, puree watermelon and cucumber.  Pour puree through sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula.

In a small bowl, stir together lime juice and agave nectar or honey.  Add to watermelon and cucumber mixture.  Taste and adjust sweetness with more agave nectar or honey.  To serve place a few pieces of basil in the bottom of the glass, with a muddler or the end of a rolling pin gently bruise the leaves until they impart a nice herbal scent.  Fill the glass with ice fill with the watermelon mixture and garnish with a few cucumber slices and basil leaves.

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  • Meet Tina | Scaling Back Blog

    Self-taught cook, photographer.  You can usually find me at a farmers market dreaming up alternative recipes for my allergy prone family.

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