Cucumber-Apple Cooler
Updated June 3, 2026
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
- Ready In
- 15 min
- Rating
- Comments
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Ingredients
2 or 3 English cucumbers
2 Granny Smith apples, skin-on, cut in large chunks
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
Sugar
1 ½ cups ice water
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 limes)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Speck of cayenne
Ice cubes
Cucumber slice, lime wedge or red radish slice, for serving (optional)
Sparkling water, to taste, for serving (optional)
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
17 grams carbs; 71 calories; 3 grams fiber; 676 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 11 grams sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Peel cucumbers lightly, keeping some of the green peel, then cut cucumbers into ½-inch chunks. You’ll need about 4 cups.
- Step 2
Blend the cucumbers, apples, ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar in a blender with the ice water until smooth, working in batches, if necessary. To all, add lime juice, salt, pepper and cayenne, and blend again briefly.
- Step 3
Taste and adjust seasoning. Pass through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the pulp.
- Step 4
Dip the rims of six glasses in salt and sugar, as you prefer, and add a few ice cubes to each. Pour mixture over ice and garnish with a cucumber slice, lime wedge or radish slice, if desired. Top up with sparkling water or serve as is.
Private Notes
Comments
Made this tonight as written! For the rim coating I added tajin and lime powder for an extra kick.
Did not have Granny Smith so used Cosmic Crisp. Too sweet so a bit extra lime. And vodka, voila!
@Elise, you certainly can. I'd taste the cucumbers you have on hand, check for large, bitter seeds and remove them before blending if necessary. English cucumbers have more water content and are ideal for juicing (as are Persian and Japanese cucumbers), but others work in a pinch. Maybe try blending one or two first to taste test. That way you don't end up wasting a whole bunch if you're not pleased with the results.
Could you just put everything through a juicer rather than blend and strain?
I've made the Apple-Cucumber-Little-bit-of-Ginger combination juice in my old trusty Champion Juicer, many times- very delicious, and healthy! I've never tried Sparkling Water added, or the garnishes, but this looks fancy and fun, good for company served like this.
Could this be made with regular cucumbers? The English ones here come packaged in plastic, smell awful and taste worse. And the rubbery greasy texture, ugh. it is ridiculous for me to use them when I''soon have an abiundance o cucmbers in my garden. or ii the veggies fail, at one of the incredible LOCAL farm stands in my neighborhood.