Cucumber, Basil, and Ginger Mocktail

By Kelly Morgan, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Chair, Fundraising and Marketing Committee

You may have seen this in restaurants where they serve craft cocktails, and for good reason. It is a light, refreshing blend of flavors. Plus, cucumbers have a whopping 96% water content and three awesome phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. They don’t say, “cool as a cucumber” for nothing!

• ½ of an English cucumber OR one small salad cucumber, cut in half and sliced thin
• 3 to 5 basil leaves, rubbed or “slapped” to release flavor
• 4 slices fresh ginger (or use sliced ginger in a jar) 
• 32 ounces water

Rinse and prepare the first three ingredients. Drop into a 32-ounce or greater pitcher. Add the water. Let ingredients steep – the longer, the more flavor. You can store covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Serves four eight-ounce glasses.