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Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca

Name: Cucumber and Lime Agua Fresca
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1.5 litres Water; 80 g Sugar; 1 pinch Piquín chilli powder (optional); 2 cups Hielo; 6 leaves Fresh spearmint; 4 Limes; 3 Pepinos; 1 pinch Salt

5.0(1 rating)

10 min (10 prep + 0 cook) Easy 6 servings Nacional

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 19 Mar 2026 · Updated: 3 Jun 2026

Refreshing cucumber and lime agua fresca with a touch of sugar and spearmint, perfect alongside any Mexican meal.

About this recipe

Cucumber and lime agua fresca is one of the most popular and refreshing Mexican drinks. Made by blending fresh cucumber with water, lime juice and a touch of sugar, it produces a pale green beverage with a mild, citrusy and extraordinarily refreshing flavour. Served ice-cold with plenty of ice and optionally scented with fresh spearmint or mint leaves, it is the perfect companion to any Mexican meal, especially on warm days.

History & Origin

Aguas frescas are a centuries-old Mexican tradition dating back to pre-Hispanic times, when indigenous peoples prepared drinks from fruits, seeds and flowers. Cucumber and lime agua fresca is one of the more modern variants, popularised in fondas and taquerias during the 20th century as a lighter alternative to horchata, hibiscus and tamarind waters. Cucumber had been cultivated in Mexico since colonial times, brought by the Spanish from Asia. The combination with Mexican lime was a natural pairing, as lime is omnipresent in Mexican cooking. In the large glass jars or vitroleros of Mexican eateries, aguas frescas are displayed like colourful jewels: the red of hibiscus, the white of horchata and the pale green of cucumber and lime. This tradition of offering homemade aguas frescas with meals is a hallmark of Mexican gastronomy that contrasts with bottled soft drink culture, representing a healthier and more artisanal option.

Estimated cost

£3.94

Total cost

£0.66

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

Calories

0.5g

Protein

11g

Carbohydrates

0.1g

Fat

0.5g

Fibre

5mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Peel the cucumbers and cut them into large pieces, removing the seeds if they are very big.
💡 Leave a little skin on for a more intense green colour.
2
Place the cucumbers in the blender with half a litre of water and blend until you have a smooth mixture.
3
Strain the mixture with a fine sieve on a jarra large, pressing for extraer all the liquido.
💡 If you like more texture, you can skip the straining.
4
Add the rest of the water, the lime juice and the sugar. Mix well until dissolved.
5
Taste and adjust the sweetness and the acidez a tu gusto. Anade a pinch of salt for realzar the flavours.
6
Serve well chilled with plenty of ice and decorate with spearmint leaves and a slice of cucumber.
💡 For a spicy version, sprinkle piquín chilli powder on the rim of the glass.

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A Guide to Mexican Drinks: From Horchata to Mezcal in the UK

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Edmond Bojalil

Founder, Recetas Mexas

Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.