We take Agua Frescas as seriously as cocktails. Although Agua (meaning water in Spanish) Fresca (meaning Fresh) are thirst quenchers and are meant to be sipped on a sultry day, we love to add a shot of vanilla bean infused simple syrup to subtly flavour the drink that is otherwise very light bodied with the cucumber.

~ Gather your ingredients ~

2 cucumbers

1 cup freshly squeezed lime

A handful of fresh mint

1 shot Vanilla Bean infused simple syrup

Pinch of salt

Few cubes of ice & water (as desired)

*(serves 2)

~ Preparation Instructions ~

1. To make the simple syrup, add equal parts water & sugar in a saucepan & allow it to simmer over medium heat. Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise and add it to the syrup. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow the syrup to cool & let the vanilla bean infuse for a few hours. Then strain the syrup into a bottle & store in the refrigerator, to be used when desired.

2. Throw in chopped cucumbers (not peeled or seeded), freshly squeezed lime juice & a handful of mint leaves in the blender. Add a shot of vanilla-infused simple syrup, a pinch of salt & some water as desired and purée on high speed.

3. Serve the drink on a chilled glass & garnish with mint leaves & wedges of lime.

This refreshing pale-green cucumber lime vanilla mint Agua Fresca is perfect for quenching your summertime thirst. If cucumber isn’t your thing, you can perhaps replace it with some pretty watermelons (or with any fruit that are in season) laced with lime.