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    Home Β» Drinks Β» Cucumber Basil Lemonade

    Apr 15, 2021 Β· Modified: Apr 15, 2021 by Sues Β· This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads Β· View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer Β· 19 Comments

    Cucumber Basil Lemonade

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Cucumber Basil Lemonade is an amazingly refreshing summer cocktail that can also be made into a mocktail (just leave the vodka out!). Simply make a homemade lemonade, juice your cucumber (it's easy!) and combine together with fresh basil and lots of ice.

    Head-on view of a mason jar of cucumber lemonade with basil, lemon rounds, and straw with pitcher in background and recipe title at top

    (This recipe was originally published in September 2011, but was updated with new photos and content in 2021).

    Cucumber lemonade? Yes! I promise you this is a wonderful idea. Especially with fresh basil added in.

    Like freshly squeezed lemonade, cucumbers are incredibly refreshing (they're made up of over 90% water) and there's nothing quite like an ice cold glass of cucumber lemonade on a hot day.

    Especially if you also happen to have an exploding summer basil plant. And especially especially if it's Friday and you want to add in a splash of vodka for a little summer Friday fun.

    Is This a Mocktail or a Cocktail?

    This drink can be whatever you want! I admit that I originally created the recipe with vodka added. But if you prefer a mocktail, just leave it out.

    If you want to serve this drink to kids and adults, simply make it in the pitcher without vodka and then add a couple ounces of vodka to the adult glasses as you pour the lemonade.

    If you don't like vodka, this lemonade would also be delicious with gin or tequila.

    How to Make Cucumber Basil Lemonade

    This is a pretty easy drink to make and just consists of a few simple steps. For me, squeezing all the lemons is the toughest part. But freshly squeezed lemon juice is so much better than anything you could buy!

    You'll also need to juice your cucumbers. I know, that sounds really strange, doesn't it? But just trust me... Juice them!

    You'll need 1 Β½ English cucumbers for this drink: one to juice and Β½ of one that you'll slice and add to the cocktail for garnish.

    Start by peeling one of the English cucumbers and then cutting it in half. Cut each half in half lengthwise. Scoop seeds out with a spoon, discard, and dice cucumber.

    Put the cucumber pieces in a food processor or blender.

    Cucumbers chopped up in food processor

    Puree until smooth.

    Look at that gorgeous color!

    Cucumbers pureed in food processor

    Put that beautiful cucumber puree through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and push with a wooden spoon or spatula, extracting as much liquid as you can from the cucumber puree.

    You should be able to get about ¾ cup.

    It looks kind of like Ecto Cooler or some kind of kids' beverage you definitely shouldn't be drinking. But it's 100% naturally colored!

    Cucumber juice in bowl

    Now you're going to combine everything together in a big pitcher. I started by mixing my ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice with 3 cups water, and 3 Tbsp granulated sugar.

    It's the most delicious homemade lemonade!

    Freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and sugar in measuring glass

    Now, pour the lemonade and cucumber juice into a large pitcher or serving container.

    Add vodka if you want to make the cucumber lemonade alcoholic. Slice the remaining cucumber half (un-peeled) and remaining lemon and add to pitcher. Add basil, too. Refrigerate until chilled.

    Pitcher of cucumber lemonade with basil, sliced lemons, and sliced cucumbers

    Serve cucumber lemonade in a glass or mason jar with a little bit of ice. This is the kind of drink that is especially appropriate for a mason jar.

    Make sure you get some of the sliced lemons and cucumbers in there for visual appeal. And a little fresh basil, too.

    Mason jar of cucumber lemonade with basil and sliced lemons with lemon and basil on the side and pitcher of lemonade in background

    Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

    Yes, you can definitely make this cucumber lemonade ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to chill.

    But if you are making it more than a day ahead of time, I recommend waiting to add the diced cucumbers sliced lemons, and fresh basil until a little while before you serve it.

    You want the basil to have a little time to infuse some flavor into the cucumber lemonade, but not so much time that it ends up wilting and getting icky.


    This is such a uniquely fabulous lemonade. I admit, if you're not a cucumber fan, you may not love it… But my husband usually doesn't like cucumber in drinks and even he said this was delicious.

    The cucumber makes an already refreshing lemonade even more refreshing.

    And the basil adds a fun little extra summery kick.

    Overhead view of mason jar with cucumber lemonade with basil and lemon slices with straw and more lemonade in background

    More Summer Drink Recipes

    I love making drinks to celebrate every summer weekend and then sitting in the sun and sipping on them. Here are a few of my favorite summer drink recipes:

    • Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
    • Strawberry Coconut Daiquiri
    • Tropical Gin Sunrise
    • Tequila Thyme Lemonade
    • Blueberry Coconut Margarita
    • Watermelon Rosé Slushies
    • Key Lime Pie Mojito
    • Frozen Peach Margarita
    • Summer Rosé Spritzer
    • Coconut Blackberry Mojito (by Inspire by Kaelyn)
    • Cucumber Water (by Healthy Kitchen 101)
    • Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade (from Shweta in the Kitchen)
    Head-on view of a mason jar of cucumber lemonade with basil, lemon rounds, and straw with pitcher in background

    When the weather gets hot and your basil plant starts producing faster than you can make pesto, make this cucumber basil lemonade and take some time to relax.

    After all, summer goes by so quickly.

    Does your Friday call for a cocktail?

    View of a mason jar filled with cucumber lemonade with sliced lemons and basil in it and more glasses of lemonade in background

    Cucumber Basil Lemonade

    This Cucumber Basil Lemonade is an amazingly refreshing summer cocktail that can also be made into a mocktail (just leave the vodka out!). Simply make a homemade lemonade, juice your cucumber (it's easy!) and combine together with fresh basil and lots of ice.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drink
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Lemonade Drinks, Summer Cocktails, Vodka Cocktail Recipes
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Chill Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Makes: 6 cocktails (with vodka)
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 Β½ English cucumbers (1 for drink and Β½ for garnish)
    • ΒΎ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4 lemons), plus 1 lemon thinly sliced for garnish
    • 3 cups water
    • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
    • 1 Β½ cups vodka (optional)
    • β…“ cup basil leaves

    Instructions

    • Peel one of the cucumbers, cut it in half, and then cut each half in half lengthwise. Scoop seeds out with a spoon, discard, and dice cucumber.
    • Put cucumber pieces in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
    • Put cucumber puree through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and push with a wooden spoon or spatula, extracting as much liquid as you can from the cucumber puree. You should be able to get about ΒΎ cup.
    • Pour cucumber juice into a large pitcher with ΒΎ cup lemon juice, water, and granulated sugar. Stir in vodka if using. Slice remaining half cucumber and add cucumber slices, lemon slices, and fresh basil to pitcher.
    • Let mixture chill until ready to serve. Pour cocktail into ice-filled glasses, making sure to get some sliced cucumbers and lemons and basil in each glass.

    Notes

    • If making ahead of time, wait to add cucumber and lemon slices and fresh basil to pitcher until a couple hours before serving.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

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    Cucumber Basil Lemonade
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    Comments

    1. Erica says

      September 16, 2011 at 6:01 pm

      Congrats on all the good stuff and happy birthday to your mom! The cocktail looks super refreshing.

    2. sarah k. @ the pajama chef says

      September 16, 2011 at 9:27 pm

      yay for wedding dresses! it's funny, just last night my husband & i were talking about cucumber water with someone and my husband said that's gross. i just showed him your cocktail and he said he'd be more apt to drink cucumber since it has vodka in it. hahaha....looks fabulous!

    3. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

      September 17, 2011 at 12:37 am

      I know there's going to be at least one more crazy Friday with weather warm enough to warrant one of these. πŸ™‚ Looks wonderfully refreshing!

    4. Elina (Healthy and Sane) says

      September 17, 2011 at 10:37 am

      OMG, I want this cocktail today! It looks so fresh and delicious. I really love cucumbers and herbs in cocktails. LOVE.

    5. Susan says

      September 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      This sounds refreshing and delicious! Great photos too πŸ˜‰

    6. Michelle says

      September 18, 2011 at 9:36 am

      After working a really long week and until 9 PM on Friday, I was happy to come home to Chinese takeout and pumpkin beer for dinner!

    7. rita says

      September 18, 2011 at 12:49 pm

      that looks so refreshing! i'll just have to wait next year to make this, whenever the warm summer day of germany comes.

    8. newlywed says

      September 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      I am jealous of your cocktail Fridays!! I wish I had the organization to make them in the morning, because when I get home on Friday afternoon, I usually only have enough energy to whine until my husband pours me a glass of wine. No pun intended.
      Congrats on picking out the wedding dress! Yay! It is almost as exciting as picking out the groom πŸ™‚ After your wedding, you should have a wedding dress party where everyone wears their wedding dresses, so that you can wear it again. I will come. In mine. Which I keep threatening to wear to family weddings. I just love it.

    9. My Little Expat Kitchen says

      September 18, 2011 at 4:18 pm

      What an amazing drink! I don't think I've had enough of those this summer and I'm afraid it's beginning to get cold here The Netherlands.
      I'm liking this so much though that I am certainly trying it!
      Magda

    10. Shannon says

      September 18, 2011 at 5:49 pm

      Mmmm, i'd love to end my weekend with this πŸ™‚

    11. Michelle Collins says

      September 18, 2011 at 9:47 pm

      This looks so refreshing - and my Fridays always call for a cocktail! πŸ˜‰

    12. kitchenbelle says

      September 19, 2011 at 8:56 am

      That looks incredibly refreshing! Making me thirsty, in fact!

    13. Jaime says

      September 19, 2011 at 11:32 am

      Im definitly going to try this out!

    14. susan from food blogga says

      September 19, 2011 at 3:03 pm

      Oh, yes, indeed, honey! My Friday calls for a cocktail. In fact, this past Friday, I had a cucumber martini with a salt and pepper rim. Ooh, I love savory cocktails, and yours will hit the spot this Friday!

    15. Bee (Quarterlife Crisis Cuisine) says

      September 19, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      Ohhh I LOVED putting lemonade slices with cukes in water this summer, this would be a nice kick up to that beverage πŸ˜‰

    16. blackbookkitchendiaries says

      September 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm

      this looks so refreshing!! wish i had one right now:) thank you for sharing this.

    17. Susan says

      September 19, 2011 at 11:58 pm

      Cannot wait to see your dress πŸ™‚ Hope you had a lovely weekend with Chris and your mom! Oh and I'm making this recipe.

    18. Ashalah says

      September 20, 2011 at 10:19 pm

      Ohh that looks SO refreshing! I will have to try that as one last summer treat πŸ™‚

    19. Brandon Wright says

      July 11, 2014 at 9:51 am

      Love this drink!

      I've made it a few times now and have narrowed down the exact measurements a bit and I included it (along with a link to your stie) as my favourite summer drink for our summer cocktail feature.

      http://www.fmms.net/2014/07/ask-fmms-five-summer-cocktails/

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    Hi and thanks for visiting! I started We are not Martha to show you how to make recipes that impress without stress, including easy weeknight dinners, delightful desserts, + lots of cocktails.

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