Cranberry Cucumber Mint Water Recipe

Cranberry cucumber mint water is a fruit-and-herb-infused water that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make, including chilling, and yields about 4 cups (1 L). Try the ai infused water generator to create another combination.

What is cranberry cucumber mint water?

Cranberry cucumber mint water is plain water steeped with cranberries, cucumber and fresh mint. The cranberries add a tart note, while cucumber keeps the flavor mild and mint gives it a fresh finish.

Unlike a juice or smoothie, the ingredients are steeped rather than blended into the water. It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without added sugar.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 4 cups of cranberry cucumber mint water, use:

Water: 1,000 mL (about 4 1/4 cups)
Cranberries: 75 g (about 1/2 cup), fresh or unsweetened frozen
Cucumber: 75 g (about 3/4 cup sliced)
Fresh mint leaves: 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed)

This ratio gives each ingredient room to come through without making the water strongly flavored. Measure the produce by weight if you want a more consistent pitcher; cup measurements are approximate.

How do you make cranberry cucumber mint water?

Allow 10 minutes for preparation and 2 hours for the initial refrigerated steep.

Wash your hands, then rinse the cranberries, cucumber and mint under running water. Use a clean pitcher and utensils.
Slice the cucumber thinly and cut the cranberries in half. If using frozen cranberries, lightly crush them instead of trying to slice them while hard.
Add the cranberries and cucumber to the pitcher. Gently press the mint leaves between your fingers, then add them with the water.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger flavor, steep for up to 4 hours.
Strain if you prefer, then pour into glasses. Serve cold, with ice if desired.

Cutting or lightly crushing the cranberries helps expose their flesh to the water. Pressing the mint gently releases its aroma without tearing the leaves into small pieces that are difficult to strain.

Why do cranberry, cucumber and mint work together?

Cranberries bring tartness to the pitcher, though the finished water may taste much milder than cranberry juice. If you enjoy that flavor, cranberry infused water uses the same fruit as its main ingredient.

Cucumber adds a subtle, clean flavor; thinner slices expose more surface to the water. For a simpler version, see cucumber water. Mint adds aroma and a cooling-tasting finish, as it does in mint water.

The main benefit of cranberry cucumber mint water is hydration. There is no established evidence that this particular infusion treats a health condition. Steeped infused water is usually under 10 kcal per glass, but the exact amount varies; eating the produce or adding juice changes that amount.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Cranberry cucumber mint water can support hydration, but it does not flush toxins out of the body.

How should you store cranberry cucumber mint water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated, and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

Straining removes the produce but does not restart the storage clock. If you take warfarin, ask your clinician whether cranberry products fit your medication plan. If you have been told to limit fluids, follow your care team's guidance about how much to drink.

How can you vary cranberry cucumber mint water?

Make it milder

Use fewer cranberries or mint leaves for a softer flavor, or add more cold water after steeping. Taste before adding water so you can adjust gradually.

Make it more aromatic

Let the covered pitcher steep for 4 hours in the refrigerator rather than 2. Strain the mint before serving if you prefer not to have leaves in the glass.

Add bubbles at serving

Steep the produce in still water, then pour in a little plain sparkling water just before serving. Adding it at the end helps keep the bubbles in the glass rather than the pitcher.