Cucumber mint lemon smoothie
Ingredients
Method
- Wash the cucumber. If it is organic, keep the skin on; if not, peel off alternate strips. Cut it into chunks, keeping two thin slices back for garnish.
- Squeeze the half lemon.
- Put the cucumber, mint leaves, lemon juice, yoghurt, honey and cold water in the blender jug.
- Blend for 1 minute on full power until completely smooth.
- Add the ice cubes and blend for another 20 seconds. Taste and add a little more lemon or honey if needed.
- Pour into two tall glasses, garnish with a slice of cucumber and a mint leaf, and serve immediately.
Notes
Soft green, fresh and thirst-quenching, a cucumber mint smoothie is the perfect drink for hot days. The cucumber brings its freshness, the mint its lively fragrance and the lemon a touch of acidity that wakes everything up: this cucumber lemon smoothie drinks like lemonade, only creamier. A little yoghurt gives it a velvety texture, and a few ice cubes make it even more refreshing. Here is our cucumber smoothie recipe, ready in 5 minutes, with all our variations.
The cucumber smoothie recipe, step by step
Our cucumber smoothie recipe needs nothing more than a blender and 5 minutes. As cucumber is more than 95% water, there is no need to add much: a small glass of cold water is enough for a smooth, drinkable texture. First blend all the ingredients except the ice for a good minute: the mint and the cucumber skin should be completely broken down, with no bits. Then add the ice cubes for a really cold drink.
The secret of a good smoothie is to start with ingredients that are already cold. Keep the cucumber in the fridge, and the yoghurt too: you will need fewer ice cubes and the flavour will stay more intense.
Why cucumber, mint and lemon work so well together
A cucumber mint lemon smoothie relies on a simple balance. Cucumber is mild and barely sweet: it makes a neutral, refreshing base. Mint adds coolness and fragrance, and lemon lifts the whole thing, just as a pinch of salt lifts a dish. The yoghurt rounds off the acidity and gives the drink some body.
Measure the mint carefully: about ten leaves is enough for two glasses. Any more and it can turn bitter once blended. If you can, choose spearmint, which is milder than peppermint.
A green cucumber smoothie
This green cucumber smoothie is a great introduction to the world of green smoothies, which are often thought to taste too ‘grassy’. Here the flavour stays fresh and mild. For a more vivid colour, add a handful of baby spinach: its taste all but disappears in the blender. Half an avocado will also make it creamier and more filling.
Smoothie or juice: what’s the difference?
People often confuse a smoothie with cucumber mint lemon juice. Juice is made in a juicer or a centrifugal juicer: the machine separates the liquid from the pulp and fibre, which are thrown away. The result is very thin and very refreshing. A smoothie, on the other hand, is made in a blender: the whole vegetable is blended, fibre and all, and the drink is thicker and more filling.
To make juice with this recipe, put the cucumber, mint and lemon through a juicer, without yoghurt or water, then serve over ice. You will need two cucumbers for two glasses.
Detox cucumber smoothie: what you need to know
The detox cucumber smoothie is very popular, but the word ‘detox’ needs some clarification. No food ‘cleanses’ the body: it is the liver and kidneys that remove waste, constantly and without any special help. What we can say, however, is that this smoothie is rich in water and contributes to good hydration, which is valuable in hot weather. The lemon provides a little vitamin C, and the cucumber minerals such as potassium.
A light smoothie
You will also come across this drink under the name weight loss cucumber smoothie. It is true that it is light: around 95 kcal per glass, compared with over 200 for a banana and whole milk smoothie. But no drink makes you lose weight on its own. It can simply replace a fizzy drink or a sweetened juice as an afternoon snack, as part of a varied diet. To keep it light, go easy on the honey: cucumber and mint are often enough on their own.
Our variations
Cucumber, apple and mint smoothie
For a milder cucumber apple mint smoothie, add a green apple, such as a Granny Smith, cut into pieces with the skin on. It brings a tangy sweetness that children love. You can then leave out the honey.
Cucumber and ginger smoothie
For a zingier cucumber ginger smoothie, add 1 to 2 cm of peeled fresh ginger before blending. Its heat goes very well with the lemon. Start with a small piece: raw ginger is powerful.
Cucumber mint infused water
No blender? Make cucumber mint infused water: thinly slice half a cucumber and put it in a jug with 1 litre of cold water, a few mint leaves and two slices of lemon. Leave to infuse in the fridge for at least an hour. It keeps for 24 hours and is a pleasant way to drink more water in summer.
A refreshing cucumber drink for aperitif time
For an alcohol-free refreshing cucumber drink to serve with nibbles before dinner, blend the cucumber, mint and lemon without the yoghurt, strain, then top up with well-chilled sparkling water. Serve in cocktail glasses with ice cubes, a slice of lime and a mint leaf.
What to do with cucumber?
Got a cucumber to use up and wondering what to do with cucumber? As well as this smoothie, it is delicious in salads, such as our chickpea, feta and cucumber salad, or in fattoush with sumac, the big Lebanese salad. It also makes tzatziki, chilled soup or quick vinegar pickles.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to peel the cucumber?
No, you don’t have to. The skin gives the smoothie a lovely green colour. If the cucumber isn’t organic, peel off alternate strips to keep a little colour. If the skin is thick or bitter, remove it completely.
Can you make the smoothie ahead?
Yes, up to 24 hours ahead, in a sealed bottle in the fridge. It may separate a little: shake it well before serving. Add the ice cubes at the last minute.
Can you make it without yoghurt?
Yes. Replace the yoghurt with half a banana or half an avocado to keep a creamy texture, or with a little more water for a lighter drink.
