Thursday, August 5, 2010

When life gives you cucumbers...

I have gone from having a few cucumbers in the garden to having a hostile cucumber takeover in my yard, all in the matter of a week. I was thrilled to find one, then two, then five and six cucumbers, especially when I thought my cuke crop was a bust. But now the cucumbers are just everywhere, outnumbering even the tomatoes. Something had to be done.  They were taking over.  If they became sentient...well, let's not go there.  Back to the lemonade.

I Googled "cucumber recipes" and learned two words that I found strangely compelling: cucumber lemonade. I was simultaneously repulsed and intrigued, and after asking a few of my southern friends about the concoction I realized that I had to try making it.

Allrecipes.com had a plethora of recipes for cucumber lemonade, so I went with the one that took the least amount of effort but still yielded a 4.5 star rating. And my life was forever changed.

Cucumber Lemonade

You will need:
One cucumber
One 2-liter bottle of 7UP or other lemon-lime soda
One can of frozen lemonade concentrate
One very cute, large pitcher.

Take a good-sized cucumber, peel it and slice it thinly.

Is that not the perfect pitcher?
Place the cucumber slices in the bottom of a large pitcher and empty a can of frozen lemonade concentrate on top of it. Let it sit for twenty minutes so the frozen concentrate begins to liquify.

Add a 2-liter bottle of 7UP or any other lemon-lime soda.

If desired, strain the cucumbers out of the mixture (bonus: now they have a little lemon-lime kick from the soda. Great little snack for a hot day).

Serve the drink over ice.


So how does it taste? Imagine lemonade, but with a clean finish: not sticky or tart. I served it to my husband and a guest without telling them how it differed from regular lemonade. I asked them to guess. Our guest thought that it tasted like watermelon, and my husband couldn't place the flavor, but he loved it. They were both surprised when I told them it was cucumber. Clearly, the cucumber flavor wasn't very perceptible, but it was enough to make an already refreshing drink that much more crisp.  We easily polished off the pitcher.

Variation:


Add a splash of grenadine to the bottom of the glass, and layer the cucumber lemonade on top.  Very pretty.
Of course, alcohol is always an option, too.  Be brave - experiment, and most of all, enjoy!


mbj

12 comments:

sulfababy said...

This sounds great! I'm going to have to try this.

Unknown said...

Very interesting recipe. It's worth a shot. I'm a new follower because of your post on Bloggy Moms. It'd be great if you could follow me back.
Julie @ Bunches of Bargains
http://bunchesofbargains.blogspot.com

Liza | @aMusingFoodie said...

Mmmm - my sister has a small farm, so I'll see if she can make a batch with their cucumbers. I wonder if it would be good with a lemon/lime seltzer instead of regular soda?

Anyway, enjoying your blog. :) Thanks for following mine. :)

Liza
www.amusingfoodie.com

Lisa said...

Unique recipe! I'm your newest follower from Bloggy Moms! :) Would love it if you'd come visit & follow me back too.

Lisa xoxo
http://RaisingFutureLeaders.blogspot.com

Lisa Madden Bass said...

Jenn,
What an unusual recipe...I think I will try it. My 17-year-old was complaining just last night about something "different" to drink, imagine her surprise when I serve her this (LOL)!
I found you through Bloggy Moms; her is my blog:
www.lisa-bass.blogspot.com

Lisa

Carrie said...

That is great jenn I am ganna have to try this on tony.

Heather Jones said...

That sounds cool!!! I think I will have to try it!! So cool that you tried it despite your initial feelings on it.

Stop by and say hi please! :)

http://mommyonlyhastwohands.blogspot.com

smashbravo said...

Hithere, new followers here from Bloggy Moms.. Love the name of your blog, too cute!!
Love cucumbers and had never though of adding them to drinks. Over here though they aren't that cheap so I guess we can just dream about it..lol

Have a great day!

http://sammymakessix.blogspot.com/

caitlin said...

I wish I had cukes but mine were a bust. No my zucchini is another story...

Melanie Payne said...

WoohooO! another Mommy who has a garden! (seems rare to find them)

My cucumber weren't coming in for the longerst time, now they are popping up everywhere, even in my squash. Such strange things..lol

Now following from MBC :)
~Melanie
http://mburbage.blogspot.com/

Desperate Housemommy said...

I am SO making this when I host next week's book club. With the grenadine and alcohol options, of course. ;) Thanks a heap!

Your Newest Bloggymoms Follower,

-Sue
www.thedesperatehousemommy.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/DHousemommy
Facebook Group: Desperate Housemommies

Abi, wonder-mom (as in I wonder how Im surviving!) said...

Im gonna try it too Jenn. :) Look at your fanclub from Bloggymoms! Way to go!!!! :)