Two easy, no-stove-required cold drinks, perfect for a Tennessee heat wave: a refreshing cucumber mint cooler and a sweet watermelon mint cooler, both ready in five minutes.
Nothing beats a perfect cold drink on a hot day, and when the heat wave rolls in here at Sweet BombDiggity Farms, these are the two we reach for. Both come together in about five minutes, use whatever’s ripe in the kitchen, and taste like summer on the porch. Pull up a chair and try one, or make a batch of both.
Cucumber Mint Cooler
This one is light, crisp, and barely sweet. It’s the drink you make when the garden’s giving you more cucumbers than you know what to do with and the mint patch needs thinning anyway.
Ingredients
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Cold water, to fill
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Muddle the mint leaves with the honey in the bottom of a pitcher.
- Add the sliced cucumber and lemon juice.
- Fill the pitcher with cold water and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors marry.
- Serve over ice with a cucumber ribbon for garnish.
Watermelon Mint Cooler
Sweeter and a little more indulgent, this one makes good use of a watermelon that is finally ripe. Blend it smooth or leave it a little textured, whichever you prefer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 pitcher, about 6 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed watermelon
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves, muddled
- Cold water, to fill
- Honey, to taste (optional, if the melon isn’t quite sweet enough)
- Ice and a mint sprig, for serving
Instructions
- Blend the watermelon and lime juice until smooth. Strain if you prefer a clearer drink.
- Muddle the mint in the bottom of a pitcher.
- Add the watermelon mixture and top with cold water. Stir to combine.
- Taste and add honey if needed.
- Serve over ice with a fresh mint sprig.
Notes
Make a batch the night before. It tastes better once it has had time in the refrigerator.
A Few Tips for Both
- Make a batch the night before. Both drinks taste better once they’ve had time in the fridge.
- Freeze extra mint leaves or watermelon cubes into ice cubes so your drink doesn’t water down as it melts.
- Both recipes double easily for a porch full of company.
Pull up a chair. However hot it gets this summer, there’s always time for something cold.
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Wondering when to pick them? These are my cucumber harvesting tips. And if you want to eat your cucumbers instead of drink them, try this white bean and edamame cucumber salad.
