Name: Lemon Mint and Cucumber Water
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Detox
Ingredients: 1 medium lemon, sliced into rounds (seeds removed); 1 medium cucumber (English or peeled garden cucumber), thinly sliced; A handful of fresh mint leaves; 3 inches fresh ginger, sliced or grated (optional); 8 cups filtered water (about 2 quarts); Ice cubes (optional)

Jump to Recipe

Let’s be honest—drinking plain water every day can feel like chewing cardboard. You know it’s good for you. You know your body needs it. But some days? You just can’t.

That’s where this beautiful, spa-vibes-in-a-pitcher drink comes in: lemon mint and cucumber water. It’s like your boring old water went on a wellness retreat, got a facial, and came back with a glow-up.

This isn’t just some Instagram-friendly glass of ice and leaves. This stuff is seriously refreshing, packed with fresh lemon slices, garden cucumber, and cooling mint leaves. Oh, and if you wanna get fancy? A little ginger gives it the kick it never knew it needed.

What makes it even better?
– It’s zero sugar.
– It’s low-effort.
– It’s hydration with real flavor, not weird chemicals.

Plus, it’s super customizable. Don’t like mint? Try basil. Out of lemons? Limes or grapefruit will do the trick. Want it stronger? Let it sit longer. You’re the boss of this brew.

And if you’re into weight loss meals (like, duh—this is why you’re here), this is your new go-to beverage. It’s a natural drink enhancer, a detox water recipe, and one heck of a healthy hydration solution all in one.

Curious to mix it up after this? You’ll definitely want to check out some of our other cool sips, like the cucumber celery lime detox drink or the zesty lemon balm lemon juice drink for weight loss.

But first—let’s break this one down.

Recipe Features

So what makes this lemon mint and cucumber water so special? Aside from the fact that it looks like something you’d be served at a fancy spa while wearing a robe and pretending you’re not thinking about emails?

Here’s why this drink slaps:

It’s Ridiculously Easy

Seriously. No boiling. No blending. No juicing. Just slice, pour, chill. That’s your whole prep.

Naturally Flavored (No Fake Stuff)

We’re talking real lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, and garden cucumber. No mystery powders. No added sugars. Just plain ol’ fruits and herbs doing their thing.

Great for Weight Loss and Hydration

This isn’t just a pretty face. It’s also a sneaky way to drink more water, cut sugary drinks, and support your weight loss goals without even trying. Some call it lemon water detox, we just call it delicious.

Totally Customizable

Don’t vibe with mint? Swap it out for basil. Want something with a bit more edge? Add sliced ginger or even berries. You’re only limited by what’s in your fridge.

It’s Basically Summer in a Pitcher

A pitcher of infused detox water like this is your best friend during hot days. Serve it up with a few ice cubes and a fancy straw, and bam—you’re the hostess with the mostess, even if it’s just for yourself.

If you’re loving this idea, you’ll probably also go crazy for our fruity spin-off: watermelon lemonade recipe or the thirst-quenching ice water hack for weight loss.

Ingredient Notes

Let’s break down what’s going into your glass—and how to make each ingredient shine. This isn’t rocket science, but these little tips make a big flavor difference.

Cucumber

You can’t do lemon mint and cucumber water without the cucumber. But not all cukes are created equal.

English cucumbers: Long, thin, less seedy. Mild flavor and a nice crunch.
Garden cucumbers: Shorter, thicker, stronger flavor. Peel them if they have a waxy skin.

Pro Tip: Slice your cucumber thin so the flavor infuses quickly. You don’t need to go paper-thin, but thinner = better infusion.

Keywords to keep in mind: sliced cucumber water, cucumber infused drink, garden cucumber, cucumber hydration

Lemon

This is the flavor anchor. Without lemon, it’s just minty cucumber water, and let’s be real—meh.

Use one medium lemon, sliced into rings.
Remove seeds unless you enjoy crunching something bitter mid-sip.
Avoid the white pith—too much of that, and you’ll get a bitter batch.

Fresh lemon only, folks. Don’t even look at that bottle of shelf-stable lemon juice. Just… no.

Keywords in play: lemon rind and pulp, lemon hydration drink, thinly sliced lemon, lemon flavor enhancement

Mint

Now for the cool kid. Mint takes this from nice to whoa, what is this magic?

Go for fresh mint leaves—none of that dried stuff.
Gently rub or clap the leaves before adding. It wakes up the minty oils (yeah, we’re getting fancy).
Add a handful, or more if you like it bold.

Try spearmint for a classic vibe, or peppermint if you want to feel like you’re drinking a candy cane (in a good way).

Keywords here: mint infusion, herbal mint water, mint hydration recipe, cooling mint drink

Water

Filtered water is best here. If your tap water is tasty, go for it. If not, bottled or filtered gives a cleaner canvas.

Cold water = better flavor and faster infusion
Serve it over ice for extra chill vibes

Feeling spicy? Add a 2- to 3-inch chunk of fresh ginger, sliced or grated. It adds a gentle zing that plays well with the lemon-cucumber combo.

Variations

Look, the classic lemon mint and cucumber water combo is fantastic—but don’t let that stop you from getting creative. You’re not married to these ingredients. This recipe is all about flexibility and making it your own.

Here’s how you can mix things up and still stay in that fresh, fruity, detox zone:

Swap the Citrus

Limes – zingier and a little more tropical.
Grapefruit – slightly bitter, but super refreshing and pretty in a pitcher.
Meyer lemons – sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons. Great for sensitive tummies.

Add Some Fruit Fun

Strawberries – they go crazy good with mint and cucumber.
Peaches or raspberries – a subtle flavor that makes the drink feel fancy.
Watermelon – juicy, sweet, and super hydrating.
Try it with our watermelon lemonade recipe
Or serve with watermelon tajin skewers for a spicy-sweet pairing

Try Different Herbs

Basil – earthy and smooth
Rosemary – super aromatic (just don’t overdo it)
Lemongrass – adds a crisp, citrusy note

Want Some Kick?

Add a few slices of fresh ginger or even a hint of jalapeño. Yep, spicy water is a thing—and it works.

Storage Note: When you add extra fruit or herbs, the water’s shelf life goes down. Try to drink it within 24 hours, and don’t forget to strain out berries or mushy fruit if they get too soft.

Tips

Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients and your pitcher. Before you throw it all in and call it a day, here are a few pro tips that’ll make your lemon mint and cucumber water go from “eh, that’s nice” to “can I get this in a jug to go?”

Let It Infuse

Give it at least 1 hour in the fridge to let those flavors hang out and mingle.
The longer it sits (up to 12 hours), the stronger the flavor—but don’t push it past 48. It starts getting weird.

Slice It Thin

Thinner slices = faster flavor.
No need for mandolines or measuring tapes. Just… not chunky. This ain’t a stew.

Use a 2-Quart Pitcher

That’s the sweet spot for balancing the water-to-ingredient ratio.
Too small, and your mint leaves are jammed up against each other. Too big, and the flavors get lost.

Keep It Cold

Serve it with ice or keep it chilled in the fridge.
Want to get fancy? Make mint-lemon ice cubes so it doesn’t dilute as it melts.

Don’t Muddle Everything

A gentle press on the ginger with a spoon releases flavor.
But don’t crush your lemon or cucumber—they’ll release bitterness and go soggy.

Reuse the Ingredients (Once)

You can top up the water once, maybe twice.
Just know: mint and cucumber get sad after a while, and grated ginger only has one round of punch.

Instructions

This might be the easiest “recipe” you’ll ever make—but that doesn’t mean we’re skipping the how-to. Here’s how to put together a glass (or a whole pitcher) of this spa-worthy, summer-in-a-sip hydration hero.

What You’ll Need:

1 medium lemon (seeds removed)
1 medium cucumber (English or peeled garden cucumber)
A handful of fresh mint leaves
3 inches of fresh ginger (optional, but highly recommended)
8 cups of filtered water (roughly 2 quarts)
A pitcher (glass if possible—it just feels fancier)
Ice cubes (optional but delightful)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Wash Everything
Scrub your lemon and cucumber well—especially if you’re leaving the peel on. Give your mint a rinse too, and pat it dry.
Slice the Lemon and Cucumber
Thin rounds work best for flavor infusion and that “wow” look. Remove any visible seeds from the lemon.
Prep the Ginger (if using)
Peel and thinly slice it—or if you want a bolder flavor, grate it and squeeze the juice into the water. Just don’t add the pulp—it’ll float around like little flavor ghosts.
Assemble Your Ingredients
Add the cucumber, lemon, mint leaves, and ginger to your pitcher.
Add the Water
Fill your pitcher with cold, filtered water. Give it a gentle stir.
Chill It
Pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Or longer, if you want a deeper flavor.
Serve Cold
Pour over ice. Garnish with extra mint or cucumber if you’re feelin’ fancy.

That’s it. Told you it was easy.

Pitcher of lemon mint and cucumber water with sliced ingredients floating inside

Storage

Here’s the good news: this lemon mint and cucumber water stays tasty for a couple of days in the fridge. But if you want that just-made magic, here’s how to keep it fresh and fabulous.

How Long It Lasts:

Best within the first 24 hours.
Still good up to 48 hours, but after that the mint wilts and the cucumber starts to get soggy.
If the lemon starts tasting bitter or the mint turns dark? Time for a fresh batch.

Can You Refill It?

Yup! Top up the pitcher with more filtered water once or twice.
Just know the flavor will get lighter each time—especially if you used grated ginger (it gives you everything in the first round).

Don’t Let It Sit Too Long

If it tastes funky, looks murky, or smells off—dump it. Trust your senses.

Ice or No Ice?

Add ice just before serving.
OR freeze extra mint and lemon in ice cube trays and toss those in instead—extra flavor without watering things down.