Cucumber Agua Fresca

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 3/4 cups peeled English cucumber slices (about 1 medium cucumber)
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 large limes)
• 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
• 2 cups lime-flavored sparkling water, chilled
• English cucumber ribbons (optional)

1. Combine sugar and 3 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 2 minutes or until mixture boils, stirring every 1 minute. Cool.
2. Place cucumber slices and 1/4 cup water in a blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl to measure 1 cup liquid; discard solids. Combine cucumber liquid and sugar syrup in a small pitcher. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until thoroughly chilled; stir in lime juice.
3. Place 3/4 cup crushed ice in each of 2 glasses. Pour 1/2 cup cucumber mixture into each glass. Add 1 cup sparkling water to each glass. Garnish with cucumber ribbons, if desired.

sugar, water, cucumber, water, lime juice, crushed ice, limeflavored sparkling water, cucumber ribbons

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cucumber-agua-fresca (may not work)