Cucumber Water

Cucumber water is here to make hydrating more fun! Add spa-like tranquility to your day with this infused water. Want…

Cucumber water is here to make hydrating more fun! Add spa-like tranquility to your day with this infused water.

Cucumber water in glass and pitcher.

Want to make your hydrating more fun? Try cucumber water! You may have seen it at resorts or spas, and the botanical flavor tastes like poolside relaxion in a sip.

But how do you make this tasty infused water? Do you simply combine cucumber and water? Well, kind of. Here’s what you need to know about how to make this tasty drink!

How to make cucumber water— basic steps

Cucumber water requires just cucumbers and water. But to make it, you do need one extra thing: time! It takes 1 hour for the flavor to infuse into the water. Here’s what to do:

  • Slice ½ cucumber into thin rounds.
  • Add 8 cups cold water.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour!

Cheater tip: This infused water actually tastes pretty good after about 10 minutes. So if you’re in a rush, you can serve immediately: just use very cold water.

Use a standard or English cucumber

You can use any type of cucumber for this cucumber water! Typically you’ll see it with the standard variety, but an English cucumber works too. What’s the difference?

  • English cucumbers are long and straight, with a thin skin with ridges and very small seeds. Because the thin skin is so fragile, it’s sold with a plastic covering in the grocery store. This is our favorite type to use, because the flavor is so mild and it doesn’t need to be peeled.
  • Standard slicing cucumbers are shorter, with thick, dark green skin and very large seeds. The thick skin and seeds can be bitter, so they’re often removed when cooking.
English cucumber vs standard cucumbers.
English cucumbers are longer, with ridged outsides and delicate skin

Add-in ideas: herbs, lemon, and more

Once you’ve mixed up a batch of cucumber water, there are a few optional ingredients you can add before and after serving to make it really pop. This is perfect for entertaining! On the regular, we just drink it straight up.

  • Fresh herbs like mint or basil: Add herbs when you add the cucumber; allow to infuse for 1 hour. See Cucumber Herb Water.
  • Lemon or lime: We like serving this water with a few lemon wedges or slices, or you can let the citrus infuse. See Cucumber Lemon Water.

How long does cucumber water last?

Cucumber water lasts even longer than most infused water recipes. Plan to store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The cucumber holds up well to storage over time, which is not the case for other fruits and veggies like strawberries, which tend to fall apart (like in this Fruit Infused Water). However, it tastes best within 1 day!

Cucumber water in pitcher.

It’s also great with sparkling water

Revive your cucumber water with some bubbles! You can add sparkling water or club soda to get a flavored bubbly water. We use a SodaStream, or you can use your favorite brand of sparkling water (La Croix, Topo Chico, etc).

More infused water recipes

Love infusing your water? We’ve got lots of ideas! But keep in mind: infused water is best with only certain types of fruits and veggies. Cucumber, citrus, and herbs tend to infused the best. Here are our top infused waters:

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of drinking cucumber water?

Cucumber water is a refreshing and hydrating drink. Cucumbers are high in water content and contain vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and potassium. Staying hydrated is important for overall health, and cucumber water can be a tasty way to increase your water intake.

Can I use any type of cucumber?

Yes, you can use any type of cucumber you prefer. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are often preferred for their thinner skin and fewer seeds, but regular slicing cucumbers work well too. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly before using.

Can I drink cucumber water every day?

Yes, you can enjoy cucumber water daily as part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s a great way to stay hydrated and enjoy the refreshing flavor of cucumbers.

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Cucumber water

Cucumber Water


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5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 cups
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Description

What makes hydrating easier? Cucumber water! Add spa-like tranquility to your day with this infused water.


Ingredients

  • 1/2 medium cucumber
  • 8 cups (64 ounces) cold water
  • Lemon slices, for serving (if desired)
  • Fresh mint (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and thinly slice the cucumber.
  2. Add the cucumber slices to bottom of a pitcher. Use a wooden spoon to lightly muddle (mash) them several times to release the juices.
  3. Add the cold water. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving (you can add fresh mint sprigs if desired). Flavor is best within 1 day, but you can store up to 3 days refrigerated. Serve with lemon slices if desired. Or, add a splash of sparkling water.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Infused
  • Cuisine: Water
  • Diet: Vegan

Ranch Water Recipe

Ranch water is a Texas-born tequila highball cocktail made with lime and Topo Chico! This drink is all about cooling…

Ranch water is a Texas-born tequila highball cocktail made with lime and Topo Chico! This drink is all about cooling off on hot days.

Ranch Water in glass with topo chico

Here’s a simple cocktail that’s bubbly, zingy and perfect for summer: ranch water! It’s the unofficial drink of West Texas, a tequila highball made with lime juice and sparkling Topo Chico.

One of our dearest friends, a native Texan, suggested we try out this “new” drink a few years ago, and after one sip, we were sold. Now it’s taken the country by storm and vaulted into popularity as one of the top summer drinks! It’s like a bubbly, lighter spin on the margarita, with all the tangy citrus but less sweetness and booze. It’s laid back and carefree, perfect for patio sipping. Come make it with us!

Ingredients in ranch water

Ranch water is a tequila highball cocktail that hails from West Texas. No one knows exactly how it came to be, or even how it got the name. Some people say a Texas rancher invented it in the 1960’s, but there’s no documentation of how it came to be.

It was a word-of-mouth drink until around 2010, when bartenders in Texas started adding it to their menus. The ingredients you’ll need for ranch water are:

  • Tequila: Use tequila blanco has a clean and crisp flavor that’s a good match for the bubbles and citrus. We also like it with tequila reposado, for a more complex sip with subtle notes of vanilla and oak.
  • Lime juice: Always use fresh limes in a cocktail: the flavor of bottled juice is no comparison.
  • Topo Chico mineral water or other sparkling water: Die-hard fans of this drink claim that it’s not ranch water unless it’s made with Topo Chico, the Mexican mineral water brand sold in distinctive bottles. You can make it with other brands of sparkling water, but Topo Chico seals the deal for us.
Ranch Water with Topo Chico sparkling water bottle

How to make ranch water: step by step

There’s no exact science behind ranch water! Because it was a word-of-mouth cocktail for so long, it’s more about vibe than precise quantities. You can use as much lime, tequila, and soda water as you’d like, but this is the formula we feel packs the right zingy, bubbly punch. Here’s how to make ranch water:

  • Step 1: Place 3 oz tequila in a glass (2 shots).
  • Step 2: Stir in 1 ½ oz fresh lime juice (the juice of about 1 medium lime).
  • Step 3: Add ice and pour in 4 ounces Topo Chico (½ cup).

Best tequila to use for ranch water

Ranch Water isn’t the most sophisticated of cocktails, so it doesn’t require pulling out a top-shelf liquor. Find a mid-priced tequila for Ranch Water. You can use either tequila blanco (“new” or un-aged tequila) or tequila reposado (aged). The aged tequila has more nuance in flavor and makes for a more interesting drink. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35 (anything cheaper isn’t worth buying). A few tequila brands that we recommend are:

  • Espolon Blanco: inexpensive tequila blanco
  • El Tesoro Blanco or Patrón Silver: mid-priced tequila blanco
  • Milagro Reposado or Suerte Reposado: mid-priced tequila reposado
Ranch Water with lime garnish.

More tequila drinks

Are you a tequila fan? Pick from these tequila cocktails:

What kind of tequila should I use for ranch water?

Tequila blanco (silver tequila) is the classic choice. Its clean and crisp flavor complements the lime and sparkling water perfectly. However, feel free to experiment with reposado tequila for a touch of oaky complexity.

Is there a special type of sparkling water needed?

Topo Chico, a Mexican sparkling mineral water known for its subtle sweetness and minerality, is the traditional choice. However, any type of plain club soda or sparkling water you enjoy will work. (We like it best with Topo Chico!)

How strong is a typical ranch water?

A typical class of ranch water has 3 oz tequila, which is 2 shots. If desired, you can use less and have a more watered down drink.

Is ranch water a good alternative to other summer cocktails?

Absolutely! It’s lighter than margaritas or daiquiris, making it perfect for hot weather.

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Ranch water

Ranch Water Recipe


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink

Description

Ranch water is a Texas-born tequila highball cocktail made with lime and Topo Chico! This drink is all about cooling off on hot days.


Ingredients

  • 3 ounces* tequila
  • 1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 4 ounces Topo Chico or other sparkling mineral water
  • For serving: lime wedges or wheels, ice (try clear ice!)

Instructions

  1. Add the tequila and lime juice to highball glass and stir.
  2. Fill with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

*To convert to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Mixed
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Ranch Water, Tequila Highball

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