Easy Cucumber Lemonade Recipe
We’re currently in the ber months and the weather’s getting cooler and cooler. But let’s face it, there are always hot pockets of days in the Philippines even during the coldest times of the year. This recipe is a very simple recipe for an easy cucumber lemonade drink that’s perfect to keep us cool and refreshed. It’s very easy to make and literally only requires four ingredients: water, sugar, lemon, and cucumber.
As far, as Filipino recipes go, this one’s not at all that traditional and as lemonade doesn’t really originate or has an important presence in Filipino cuisine, it isn’t really considered a Filipino recipe. But it’s still pretty delicious and a welcome drink during a hot day.
Upon a little research, lemonade apparently came from India as the ingredients of the classic lemonade are native there and they call it nimbu pani. There’s also evidence that consuming a type of lemonade goes back to ancient Egypt! I never thought that such a simple dish could have such an interesting history.
Any type of cold sugary drink using acidic fruit link lemon can be classified as lemonade and there’s a wide variety of making it all over the world.
Many restaurants in the country have a steady supply of lemonade or ice tea stocked up for their customers and most of their food selections are bundled up with a refreshing drink or either soda, iced tea, or juice.
In fact, most of the restaurants here come up with their unique versions of lemonade and iced tea with interesting results like blue or pink lemonades. I like to keep it simple in my household with less emphasis on funky colors for my refreshing drinks.
And there’s always the commercially made lemonade mixture that’s produced and distributed by companies that come in little packets. These things can be bought anywhere including the local sari-sari store. You just take the pocket and mix in a pitcher of cold water and tada! You’ve prepared a refreshing drink of ice-cold lemonade or any flavor you want.
But if you ask me, the best kind of lemonade is from fresh ingredients. Not many in the Philippines prepare their own lemonade from scratch, mainly because of time constraints, the packets are cheaper, and also because some are quite intimidated.
I always encourage my friends and family to make their own food from scratch if they can and if they have the time and that includes their drinks. The fresh ingredients are the healthiest kinds they can consume and they don’t have to worry about hidden ingredients or chemicals that their drinks or food may have.
Read more: 8 Amazing Health Benefits of Cucumber
Anyway, this cucumber lemonade recipe is a great drink that anyone can make at their home. This can take up to 45 minutes or more to make but the end result is a great reward! We’ll need only 1 cucumber that’s about 6 to 8 inches that should be sliced, 6 lemons that should all be juiced, 1 cup of water, and ½ cup of sugar.
Now that we have all our ingredients, let’s start with making a simple syrup by stirring the water and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat it until just about boiling point and the sugar is dissolved, stirring it all the while. Place the dissolved mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until cool.
While waiting for the syrup mixture to cool, put the sliced cucumber into a blender or food processor and blend until it’s mashed into a pulp. Then pour the pulp on a strainer over a bowl to catch the liquid. Allow this to sit until there’s about a ⅔ cup of liquid from the cucumber. This can take about 15 minutes.
Once everything is prepared and ready, stir the syrup, cucumber liquid, and lemon juice together in a pitcher. Continually add water to taste and add cucumber pulps if you prefer. The end result is a sweet cucumber lemonade that perfectly titillates the Filipino palate. Serve cold for that perfect refreshing drink.
See: 15 Cool, Useful & Amazing Kitchen Gadgets You Can Buy from Lazada
- 1 pc. cucumber (big diced)
- 1 pc. lemon (squeeze)
- ½ cup honey/ sugar syrup
- 1 liter water
- Blend the cucumber with water in a blender.
- Strained and poured into the remaining water, mix with honey and lemon juice. Mix well
- and serve with ice. Enjoy
Read: 8 Amazing Health Benefits of Cucumber
please update me always with your new recipes,they are nice and easy to make.Thanks and more power
Pls.update me always. Great help! More power!
say no no no to white sugar…that made this lemonade unhealthy..