This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.

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.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

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.

We love making this tasty infused water for parties, and keeping a pitcher on hand for afternoon hydration. 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).

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.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Cucumber Water

Cucumber water
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

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

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 cups 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Infused
  • Cuisine: Water
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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.

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

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:

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

11 Comments

  1. Saman Samarasinghe says:

    good work

  2. Antwi Ransford says:

    What if you are been asked not to drink cold water

  3. Debra says:

    Cucumbers contain ASCORBINASE. Which breaks down, vitamin C. You should avoid radishes, tomatoes, lemons, anything containing vitamin C, with cucumbers, because it prevents our body from absorbing them.

  4. Irene Taylor says:

    Thank you for making the recipe so easy to understand.

  5. Sha says:

    I was drinking some and thought it would be great in winter also. I have lots of cucumbers. Might it be something I might be able to freeze. (Lots of freezer space and cucumbers!)






    1. Sonja Overhiser says:

      Hmm great question! We have not tried freezing cucumber water but it should work! Just defrost at room temp or in the refrigerator (we wouldn’t try microwaving). Let us know how it goes!

  6. Mrs. Nguyen says:

    For paying customers only!






    1. Thomas Wood says:

      Better call Saul!

  7. Diana Nabisere says:

    Cucumber water is very refreshing and can help in losing weight

  8. Joanne Lozepone says:

    I harvested so many cucumbers from my garden that I didn’t know what to do with them until I came across the cucumber water recipe. Its quick, easy and deliciously refreshing. It also makes drinking water more enjoyable.






  9. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!