Cucumber-Mint Agua Fresca

Ingredients

• 1 English cucumber (about 12 ounces), scrubbed
• 1 cup mint syrup
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 5 cups cold water, divided
• Cucumber slices, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Steps

1. Peel half of the cucumber, leaving other half with peel intact. Chop peeled cucumber into 1-inch pieces; transfer to a blender. Add cooled mint syrup, lime juice, and 2 cups cold water to blender with cucumber. Secure blender lid, and process until smooth, 30 to 45 seconds.
2. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids. Stir in remaining 3 cups cold water.
3. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice, and garnish with mint sprigs and cucumber, if desired.