Recipe: Cucumber Cooler

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 12

Note: From Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Ciudad.

Cucumber cooler

2 quarts water

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup lime juice

1 cucumber with skin, ends removed, cut into chunks

1. Combine water, sugar and lime juice and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Pour the lime-sugar mixture into a blender (in batches if necessary). Add the cucumber and blend until smooth. Chill. Serve over ice. Makes 12.

Cucumber cocktail

Pour 1 ounce of Absolut Currant vodka into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Top off with the cucumber cooler. Garnish with a cucumber slice and serve. Serves 1.

Each serving: 71 calories; 0 protein; 18 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat; 0 saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 1mg sodium.