Apple and Cucumber Juice (with Mint & Lemon)

Made with crisp cucumber, tart green apple, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lemon, this simple fresh juice is light, refreshing, and surprisingly flavorful. It's one of those recipes I make again and again, especially when I discover half a cucumber lingering in the refrigerator after making a salad or sandwich.

Unlike juice recipes that rely on multiple fruits or added sweeteners, this one keeps things simple. The cucumber provides freshness, the apple adds natural sweetness, and the mint gives the drink a cooling finish that makes it perfect for warm weather.

And because it contains mostly vegetables and water-rich ingredients, it's also a wonderful low calorie juice recipe that doesn't feel like a compromise.

Why this apple and cucumber juice deserves a spot in your recipe collection

Many homemade juice recipes focus on exotic ingredients or expensive juicers. Not this one!

First, you only need a blender. Second, the ingredients are easy to find year-round in American grocery stores. And third, it's a fantastic recipe for reducing food waste by using up leftover cucumber, lemon, or mint.

That makes it a practical recipe.

Ingredients (and why they work)

This juice contains just a handful of ingredients, but each one contributes something important.

Cucumber

The base of the drink. Cucumber contains a lot of water, which gives the juice a light, refreshing flavor without adding many calories.

Green Apple

A tart green apple, such as Granny Smith, adds natural sweetness and a bright flavor that balances the cucumber.

Lemon Juice

Lemon brings acidity and freshness. It also helps prevent the apple from oxidizing too quickly.

Fresh Mint

Mint adds a cooling finish that makes the juice taste extra refreshing.

Water

Helps everything blend smoothly and creates a drinkable consistency.

Substitutions

• Replace the green apple with Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a sweeter juice.
• Use lime instead of lemon for a slightly different citrus flavor.
• Add fresh ginger for a spicy kick.
• Replace mint with basil for a more herbal variation.

If you enjoy refreshing homemade drinks, you might also like my Mango & Lime Smoothie, Rose Lemonade, or Lavender Blackberry Mocktail.

The best way to serve fresh juice

This juice tastes best:

• Served immediately
• Over ice
• In a chilled glass

The colder it is, the fresher and crisper the flavors become.

Storage tips

Fresh juice is always best right after blending.

However, if you want to prepare it ahead:

• Store it in an airtight jar or bottle.
• Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• Shake well before serving, as natural separation will occur.

I don't recommend freezing this juice, as the texture changes significantly after thawing.

A delicious way to reduce food waste

One of my favorite things about this apple and cucumber juice is how often it helps rescue ingredients that would otherwise be forgotten.

Half a cucumber from a salad. A leftover lemon from another recipe. A few sprigs of mint that are starting to wilt.

Instead of throwing them away, they become a refreshing homemade drink in less than five minutes.

That's the kind of recipe I love most: simple, delicious, and practical.

Frequently Asked Questions