Refresh yourself with this simple cucumber cooler recipe

Refreshment doesn’t get much simpler than a four-ingredient cucumber cooler. This recipe, from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, requires just a few minutes and a blender, with fresh cucumber, lime juice and water for a lightly sweetened nonalcoholic drink. Of course, you could add a little vodka, if you’d like, for a little something extra.

CUCUMBER COOLER

Total time: 20 minutes | Serves 12

2 quarts water

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup lime juice

Cucumber with skin, ends removed, cut into chunks

1. Combine water, sugar and lime juice and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Pour the lime-sugar mixture into a blender (in batches if necessary). Add the cucumber and blend until smooth. Chill. Serve over ice.

3. Cucumber cocktail: Pour 1 ounce of Absolut Currant vodka into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Top off with the cucumber cooler. Garnish with a cucumber slice and serve. Serves 1.

Each serving (nonalcoholic): 27 calories; 0 protein; 7 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat

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