Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, chopped
- 125 ml fresh lime juice
- 120 ml Québec maple syrup
- 1.25 L cold water
- ice
- mint leaves, optional
Method
- Blend the cucumbers with 500 ml water until smooth.
- Strain into a pitcher and stir in the lime juice and maple syrup.
- Add the remaining water and chill thoroughly.
- Serve over ice with mint if desired.
Conversion and rationale
Original sweetener (classic version): 150 g granulated sugar
Conversion used: Replace 150 g sugar with 120 ml maple syrup; reduce the customary water by about 120 ml because maple syrup contributes liquid.
Why Quebec maple syrup: Maple adds gentle caramel depth to cucumber's green freshness and lime's acidity. The result remains light and traditional in structure while highlighting a local sweetener.
General rule: 1 cup (250 ml) sugar ≈ 3/4 cup (180 ml) maple syrup; reduce liquids by 45–60 ml per cup of syrup and lower oven by 15 °C. Substitution calculator →