Keto Cucumber Basil Lemonade - refreshing & sugar-free
This keto cucumber basil lemonade is the perfect summer drink when ginger water and lemon-mint just don't cut it anymore. Fresh cucumber gives a cool, mild base, basil brings an aromatic twist and lime adds brightness. Ready in 5 minutes, just 1 g of net carbs per glass, and it looks great in a carafe when guests are over.
Key facts at a glance
- Prep time: approx. 5 minutes - blend, strain, top up.
- Approx. 1 g net carbs and 0 g fat per glass.
- Ingredients: cucumber, basil, lime, erythritol, sparkling water.
- Ideal as a drink for guests, with barbecues or as a daily refresher.
Ingredients
One glass as a refreshing everyday keto drink or a drink for guests.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cucumber | approx. 1/2 cucumber | |||
| approx. 1/2 cucumber | ||||
| fresh basil | - | |||
| lime juice | approx. 1 lime | |||
| approx. 1 lime | ||||
| erythritol | - | |||
| sparkling water | chilled | |||
| chilled | ||||
| ice cubes | - | |||
Preparation
Roughly dice the cucumber and blend it with the basil leaves. Strain through a fine sieve into a carafe. Stir in the lime juice and erythritol. Top up with chilled sparkling water and serve over ice cubes.
Why this lemonade fits keto perfectly
Cucumber is 96% water and contains only 1.8 g net carbs per 100 g, which makes it an ideal base for a low-carb drink. For comparison: a glass of classic lemonade has 25-30 g of sugar, while this version comes in at 1 g net carbs. The sweetness comes from erythritol, a sugar alcohol with 0 kcal and 0 g of digestible carbs. Basil contributes essential oils (linalool, eugenol) that give the drink depth without adding any carbs.
Source: USDA FoodData Central - Cucumber, raw , Harvard T.H. Chan - Low-Calorie Sweeteners
Cucumber as a drink base: virtually zero carbs
200 g of cucumber (about half a cucumber) provides just 3.6 g of net carbs. After blending and straining, most of the fibre stays in the sieve, so the resulting cucumber juice is even lower in carbs. The mild, slightly sweet flavour of cucumber pairs beautifully with herbs and citrus.
Erythritol instead of sugar: sweetness without an insulin spike
Around 90% of erythritol is excreted unchanged in urine and it triggers essentially no insulin response. Unlike table sugar, it has no impact on blood glucose. 5 g per glass is enough for a pleasant sweetness.
How do I serve and vary the cucumber basil lemonade?
Serve it in a glass carafe with cucumber slices and sprigs of basil - it looks fantastic on the table. From my own experience, this drink is always a hit at barbecues because it is refreshing without tasting like plain water.
Prep ahead and shelf life
Keep the cucumber juice without the sparkling water in the fridge; it lasts 2 days. Only add the sparkling water just before serving so the fizz stays intact.
Variation without basil
Use fresh mint or Thai basil as a substitute. Dill also pairs surprisingly well with cucumber and gives the drink a Scandinavian twist.
Which tips make the cucumber lemonade even better?
- Blend the cucumber with the skin on - that's where most of the flavour sits.
- Use the sparkling water well chilled so the carbonation holds.
- Briefly rub the basil leaves between your hands before adding them to the glass.
- For extra freshness, drop 2-3 thin cucumber slices into the glass as garnish.
- Add a pinch of salt if needed - it lifts the flavours surprisingly well.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per glass | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 2 kcal | approx. 5 kcal | Practically calorie-free; a purely refreshing drink. |
| Practically calorie-free; a purely refreshing drink. | |||
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | No fat content. |
| No fat content. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 0.4 g | approx. 1 g | Very low; comes from cucumber and lime juice. |
| Very low; comes from cucumber and lime juice. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 0.3 g | approx. 0.8 g | Only natural sugar from cucumber and lime. |
| Only natural sugar from cucumber and lime. | |||
| Protein | approx. 0.1 g | approx. 0.3 g | Not a meaningful source of protein. |
| Not a meaningful source of protein. | |||
| Salt | 0 g | 0 g | No salt added; optional to taste. |
| No salt added; optional to taste. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Is cucumber a good keto food?
Cucumber is one of the lowest-carb vegetables there is: 1.8 g net carbs per 100 g. It also provides potassium and magnesium, both important electrolytes on keto.
Can I use stevia instead of erythritol?
Yes, liquid stevia works well. 3-5 drops per glass is plenty. Stevia also has 0 g of digestible carbs and no effect on blood glucose.
How do I scale the lemonade up for a party?
Blend a whole cucumber (400 g) and strain the juice into a 1.5-litre carafe, then top it up with sparkling water. That yields 6 glasses. Only add the sparkling water just before serving.
Does alcohol go with this drink?
A shot of gin (30 ml, 0 g carbs) turns it into a keto-friendly cocktail. Just bear in mind: alcohol pauses fat burning temporarily.