CAVA Copycat Cucumber Mint Lime Drink Recipe
Refresh yourself with this homemade CAVA Copycat Cucumber Mint Lime beverage, a cool and invigorating drink that blends fresh cucumber juice, tangy citrus zests, and a sweet mint syrup. Perfect for warm days, this vibrant recipe creates a delightful balance of minty freshness and citrus zing that's easy to make and perfect for gatherings or a simple treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Mint Syrup
- ⅔ cup honey (or sugar)
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, rinsed and picked over (plus more for garnish, about 15 g)
Cucumber Juice
- 6 Persian cucumbers, peeled and cut into chunks (or 2 English cucumbers, peeled)
Citrus and Drink Mix
- Zest of 1 lime (about 1 tsp, 1g)
- Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tsp, 1g)
- 1 ½ cups fresh lime juice (about 10-12 medium limes)
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 medium lemons)
- 2 cups water
- 1 lime, sliced (for serving)
- Ice (for serving)
Instructions
- Make the Mint Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the honey (or sugar) and water. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey or sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add the fresh mint leaves, making sure they are fully submerged. Let the mixture steep for 20 minutes to infuse the mint flavor, then strain the syrup to remove the leaves. Set the syrup aside to cool completely.
- Juice the Cucumbers: Place the peeled cucumber chunks in a food processor and blend until smooth. Position a fine mesh sieve or colander over a bowl and pour in the cucumber puree. Use a spoon or spatula to press out as much juice as possible. You should obtain about ½ cup of fresh cucumber juice.
- Mix the Drink: In a large pitcher, combine the freshly extracted cucumber juice with the lime zest, lemon zest, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, and the cooled mint syrup. Add 2 cups of water and stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Chill: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the drink to chill properly.
- Serve: When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes, cucumber slices, and lime slices. Pour the chilled cucumber mint lime drink over the ice, and garnish with additional fresh mint leaves for an aromatic and appealing presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with sugar or another sweetener of your choice depending on dietary preferences.
- Peeling the cucumbers helps reduce bitterness and results in a smoother juice.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or sugar according to taste.
- This drink is best served cold and consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
- Using Persian cucumbers is preferred for their tender skin and mild flavor, but English cucumbers can be used if peeled.
- Freshly squeezing the citrus juices ensures the best flavor compared to bottled juices.