Food and Recipes Drinks Cucumber Cooler 5.0 (1) Add your rating & review When the cucumbers are flying off the vine, make this refreshing cucumber cooler to unwind. By Ivy Odom Ivy Odom Ivy is an Editorial Producer for Dotdash Meredith and hosts an array of lifestyle videos. She also authors a bi-monthly recipe column for Southern Living. Ivy has over four years of experience as on-camera talent across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, television, and other social channels, as well as extensive producing and editing experience for TikTok. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on May 18, 2024 Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Servings: 1 Jump to recipe Cool off with a cucumber drink made for hot Southern summers. When you have an abundance of fresh cukes from the garden, this drink makes quick work of using them up. No peeling required! You can choose to add a splash of gin, tequila, or vodka for the adults, or keep the drink family-friendly with just the flavors of fresh mint and lemon juice folded in. Topping the drink with sparkling water gives it a nice effervescent finish that quenches your thirst perfectly. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 1/2 lb. cucumbers, cut into 1-in. pieces (about 3 large [8 oz.] cucumbers) 1/2 cup tap water 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon) 2 Tbsp. simple syrup 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) gin, tequila, or vodka (optional) Ice Sparkling water Fresh mint or fresh basil Directions Process cucumbers and water in a blender until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl or 3-cup container; discard solids. Stir together 1/2 cup of the cucumber juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin, as desired, in a Collins glass. Add ice, and top with sparkling water. Garnish with fresh mint. (Reserve remaining cucumber juice for another use or store in an airtight container in freezer up to 6 months. Thaw completely before using.) Save Rate Print