📖 Instructions

1. Wash the cucumber and mint: Thoroughly wash one medium cucumber and a handful (about 20-30 leaves) of fresh mint under cold running water to remove any dirt or pesticides.
2. Prepare the cucumber: Cut the cucumber into chunks. No need to peel it unless you prefer a smoother texture. I kinda like the little bit of extra texture the peel gives!
3. Combine ingredients in a blender: In a high-speed blender, combine the cucumber chunks, fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup of sugar (or your preferred sweetener), and 1/2 cup of water. It's okay if you don't have a fancy blender, just make sure itss, like, kinda decent, ya know?
4. Blend until smooth: Blend the mixture until it's completely smooth. This might take a minute or two, depending on your blender. You want to ensure there are no large pieces of cucumber or mint remaining.
5. Strain the mixture: Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher. Pour the blended mixture through the strainer to remove any solids. This step is optional but will give you a clearer and smoother refresher. I usually skip it, to be honest, because I'm lazy and I like the lil' bits!
6. Add remaining water and lemon juice: Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of water and the juice of one lemon (about 2-3 tablespoons) to the pitcher. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
7. Adjust sweetness (optional): Taste the refresher and add more sugar or sweetener if needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it away!
8. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the cucumber mint refresher for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve over ice and garnish with cucumber slices and mint sprigs, if desired. I like to add a little umbrella for extra pizzazz.