Mean Green Cucumber Juice

JanuaryBride's Note:

A Jamaican recipe made by Sunny Anderson on Cooking for Real. Some reviewers on another website recommend adding a twist of lime at the end and decreasing the amount of sugar from 2 cups down to 1 cup (but I will leave those choices up to you). Sunny also said that she has added vodka to this beautiful, bright green juice for a wonderful adult cocktail.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 quart

• 2 English cucumbers
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• lime wedge (garnish)
• vodka (optional)

Directions:

1. Peel the cucumbers, placing the peels in the blender for later use.
2. Grate cucumber flesh.
3. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil.
4. When sugar dissolves, add the grated cucumber and simmer until cucumber is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. In a blender, puree reserved cucumber peel and cucumber syrup until smooth.
6. Line a strainer with cheese cloth over a bowl. Strain cucumber mixture.
7. Gather cheesecloth in 1 hand to squeeze out all of the juice.
8. Chill until cool, about 1 hour.
9. Serve in glasses over crushed ice.

Reviews

[Baby Kato]

Another winner from the fabulous January Bride. I always enjoy your drinks and this unique one certainly does not disappoint. Beautiful bold color, refreshing, tart and tangy drink. I loved it. Made exactly as written, only change was to use club soda instead of water, (personal preference only). Thanks for sharing JB, I will be making this again. Made for Aussie Swap #39. :)

[Az G]

Followed the recipe exactly, but left out the peels and vodka, as I can't eat them. This was a nice and refreshing juice, but I actually prefered it after the ice had melted a bit and thinned it out. Next time I will mix with soda water to thin it out. Thanks so much for sharing! Made for ZWT5 Groovy GastroGnomes.