Mean Green Cucumber Juice

A Jamaican recipe made by Sunny Anderson on Cooking for Real. Some reviewers on another website recommend adding a twist of lime at the end and decreasing the amount of sugar from 2 cups down to 1 cup (but I will leave those choices up to you). Sunny also said that she has added vodka to this beautiful, bright green juice for a wonderful adult cocktail.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 quart

Ingredients

• 2  English cucumbers
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  cups water
•  lime wedge (garnish)
•  vodka (optional)

Directions

1. Peel the cucumbers, placing the peels in the blender for later use.
2. Grate cucumber flesh.
3. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil.
4. When sugar dissolves, add the grated cucumber and simmer until cucumber is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. In a blender, puree reserved cucumber peel and cucumber syrup until smooth.
6. Line a strainer with cheese cloth over a bowl. Strain cucumber mixture.
7. Gather cheesecloth in 1 hand to squeeze out all of the juice.
8. Chill until cool, about 1 hour.
9. Serve in glasses over crushed ice.