Ingredients
- 2 medium fresh lemons (organic preferred, thinly sliced)
- 1 ounce fresh ginger root (about 1-inch piece, peeled and sliced)
- 1 medium English cucumber (or Persian cucumber, sliced)
- 6 cups filtered water
- 4–6 fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Ice cubes (as needed)
Instructions
- Rinse all fresh produce thoroughly under cool running water to remove surface debris and bacteria.
- Cut both lemons into thin slices approximately one-quarter inch thick, keeping seeds intact or removing them.
- Peel the ginger root with a vegetable peeler or small spoon to remove the thin outer layer.
- Cut the peeled ginger into thin matchstick pieces or thin coins for faster flavor infusion.
- Slice the cucumber lengthwise and cut into half-moons or semi-circles for optimal flavor release.
- Pour filtered water into a large glass pitcher or beverage dispenser.
- Add the lemon slices, ginger pieces, and cucumber pieces to the pitcher, and stir gently for thirty seconds to ensure even distribution.
- Add fresh mint leaves if desired, gently pressing them to release essential oils.
- Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours (overnight infusion produces superior flavor).
- Stir gently before serving over fresh ice cubes, straining if you prefer to remove solid pieces.
Notes
Strained lemon ginger cucumber water lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator, while leaving the fruit in limits storage to approximately 3 days as the solids degrade. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Infusion
- Cuisine: American/Contemporary
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 3mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3.5g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg