Cucumber, Basil, & Ginger Mocktail

You may have seen this in restaurants where they serve craft cocktails, and for good reason. It is a light, refreshing blend of flavors. Plus, cucumbers have a whopping 96% water content and three awesome phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. They don’t say, “cool as a cucumber” for nothing!

• ½ of an English cucumber OR one small salad cucumber, cut in half and sliced thin
• 3 to 5 basil leaves, rubbed or “slapped” to release flavor
• 4 slices fresh ginger (or use sliced ginger in a jar) 
• 32 ounces water

Rinse and prepare the first three ingredients. Drop into a 32-ounce or greater pitcher. Add the water. Let ingredients steep – the longer, the more flavor. You can store covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Serves four eight-ounce glasses.