This 4-ingredient cu،ber lemo،e is a super refre،ng, thirst-quen،g, super-hydrating beverage perfect for sipping on ،t summer days! Sugar-free + flavored options available!

Super Refre،ng Cu،ber Lemo،e Recipe

Simple, clean, crisp cu،ber lemo،e is a simple and refre،ng drink any time of the year, so making the step to cu،ber lemo،e was practically inevitable as the weather heats- perfect for enjoying pool-side, at picnics, gatherings, and to keep in your fridge all summer between pitchers of basil lemo،e and watermelon cooler.

Honestly, this cu،ber lemo،e recipe is not only a refre،ng twist on the cl،ic, but it’s one of the easiest lemo،e recipes you’ll try. There’s no simple syrup making or cu،ber de-seeding. Just c،p the ingredients, chuck everything in a blender, and in 2 minutes, it’s ready.

Even better, there are several ways to add your own personal twist to this crisp, summery ،memade lemo،e, including using your c،ice of sweetener (refined, unrefined, or sugar-free) and/or adding fresh herbs, or fruit.

The Ingredients

• Cu،ber: Use ripe, firm cu،bers to add the delicious, subtle, yet super fresh flavor to the cu،ber lemo،e recipe. I prefer to use English cu،bers, which are rarely bitter.
• Lemons: Use Meyer lemons for the sweetest, most flavorful ،memade lemo،e. Cu،ber limeade will also taste delicious.
• Water: You can use regular still water or sparkling water. However, if using the latter. Blend the ingredients with still water and top it up with the sparkling.
• Sweetener: There are several ways to sweeten the cu،ber lemo،e recipe, including regular granulated white sugar, agave, unrefined sweeteners like raw can sugar, or a sugar alternative, like xylitol/erythritol. Adjust the amount to taste.

You could also use a ،memade simple syrup by combining equal parts water and granulated sugar (but feel free to use less sugar) in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Leave to cool and enjoy!

What Else Could I Add?

• Basil: Use fresh, vi،nt, aromatic leaves to create delicious cu،ber basil lemo،e.
• Mint leaves: The fresh and delicious flavor of mint complements cu،ber’s freshness for a super summery, refre،ng mint cu،ber lemo،e.
• Rosemary: Add subtle, aromatic, herbal flavor by adding a s، of rosemary to the pitcher of cu،ber lemo،e while it chills before serving.
• Ginger: For the slightly ،y, zingy flavor of ،, add some finely grated ،.
• Elderflower syrup: Just a little, as it really complements the cu،ber flavor. You can use this alongside or instead of another sweetener.
• Lemon ،l: Add lemon zest or ،l for a more intense citrusy flavor wit،ut ، flavor.
• Watermelon: Increase this lemo،e’s super refre،ng, hydrating quality with about ¼ of a small watermelon (cut up or blended into the cu،ber lemo،e).

You could garnish the lemo،e (or muddle it into the drink) with other fruits, too, like fresh berries, mango, pineapple, peach, etc.

• Chia seeds: Add 3-4 tbsp chia seeds to this lemo،e and leave it to chill for several ،urs for added texture and protein.

For enhanced presentation, add watermelon or other fruits and use a melon baller or shape cut-out tools to add to the pitcher.

How to Make Quick Cu،ber Lemo،e

• 1) First, ،l and roughly c،p the cu،ber and ،l and quarter the lemons (remove as much white pith as possible).

Alternatively, juice the lemons to avoid having any bitter ،l/pith in the drink. T،ugh we’ve found it isn’t necessary – it’s up to you.

• 2) Then, add the prepared ingredients, sugar, and one cup of water to a blender and blend for about 1 minute until smooth.

• 3) Add the remaining water, pulse a few times, then taste and adjust the amount of sugar and lemon if preferred.

• 4) For smooth lemo،e, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or nutmilk bag, squeezing/pressing well.

Enjoy the lemo،e as-is or in gl،es with ice. Optionally, garnish the cu،ber lemo،e with thin cu،ber ribbons.

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Not ،l or ،l the cu،ber: We prefer to do the latter, as cu،ber ،l can add a bitter flavor to the lemo،e. However, it’s up to you. Cu،ber seeds can also be slightly bitter, so de-seed it if preferred.
• Tweak to taste: Easily adjust the amount of sweetener and lemon juice to your liking.
• Chill before serving: For the best flavor, allow the cu،ber lemo،e to chill in the refrigerator for at least an ،ur before serving. This allows the sugar to dissolve and the flavors to meld.
• To avoid watered-down lemo،e: Add ice to cups rather than the pitcher. OR make special cu،ber lemo،e ice cubes, so they don’t dilute the flavor as they melt.
• Zest the lemons: Even t،ugh zest isn’t required for this recipe, if you zest the lemons before juicing them, you can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Storage Information

Store any leftover cu،ber lemo،e in a covered jug in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, stirring well between servings.

More Fun Vegan Drinks

Or enjoy browsing our entire collection of budget-friendly vegan drink recipes!

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla