Mediterranean Diet Friendly Cucumber-Basil Turmeric Tonic
Fresh cucumber, fragrant basil, and golden turmeric come together in a chilled, sparkling drink that feels genuinely refreshing and a little bit special. The combination of blended cucumber and lemon juice gives it a clean, bright base, while honey rounds out any bitterness without overwhelming the herbal notes. Turmeric — one of the most celebrated ingredients in anti-inflammatory eating — adds a warm, earthy depth and a gorgeous golden hue that makes this tonic as beautiful to look at as it is to drink. Straining the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve is the key step that transforms it from a thick smoothie into a silky, clear tonic worth sipping slowly. Topped with sparkling water and poured over ice, it has the feel of something you'd order at a wellness café, but it comes together in your own kitchen with whole, recognizable ingredients. Every component here — cucumber, fresh herbs, citrus, a touch of raw honey — fits naturally into a plant-forward, whole-food approach to eating. It's the kind of drink that makes you feel good while you're having it, which is really the whole point.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 1 medium english cucumber (about 10 oz), roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1 tsp fresh turmeric, peeled and grated (or ½ tsp ground turmeric)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 cup sparkling water, for topping
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 thin cucumber slices, for garnish (optional)
- 2 small fresh basil sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the chopped cucumber, basil leaves, turmeric, lemon juice, honey, and cold water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30–45 seconds.
- 2
Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or large measuring cup, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Let the strained liquid rest for 5 minutes so any remaining foam settles.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!