Cucumber-Lime Coolers

In the heat of summer, this refreshing nonalcoholic drink is guaranteed to cool you down. You will need 6 or 7 large limes for both the juice and the garnish. Use a mandoline to cut the cucumber and lime slices, which will give you thin, uniform slices.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (4 to 5 large limes) 
  • 6 Tbs. superfine sugar 
  • Ice cubes as needed 
  • 1 bottle (24 fl. oz.) sparkling water, chilled 
  • Thin cucumber slices for garnish 
  • Thin lime slices for garnish 

Directions:

Select 4 old-fashioned or short glasses.


Combine 1/4 cup of the lime juice and 1 1/2 Tbs. of the sugar in each glass and stir to dissolve the sugar. Fill the glasses with ice and then top each glass with 3/4 cup of the sparkling water. Garnish each glass with several cucumber and lime slices and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Entertaining with the Seasons (Free Press, 2010).