CAVA Cucumber Mint Lime: Calories, Ingredients & Copycat Recipe
CAVA Cucumber Mint Lime is one of four house-made juices on the drink menu, and it’s the go-to pick for anyone ordering something spicy — the cool cucumber and mint cut right through the heat of harissa honey chicken or spicy lamb meatballs. Here’s what’s actually in it, the real calorie count straight from CAVA’s official nutrition guide, how it stacks up against CAVA’s other drinks, and an easy way to make it at home.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 0mg |
| Total Carbs | 44g |
| Sugar | 41g |
| Protein | 1g |
What’s Actually In cava cucumber mint lime
Cucumber Mint Lime is sweet and cooling, balanced out with fresh lime juice, and made in-house — no fountain syrup, no artificial flavoring. It’s built from three components: fresh cucumber, mint, and lime juice, blended into a light juice rather than a soda. There’s no added dairy, gluten, or common allergens in the drink itself, which is part of why it works well alongside almost anything on the menu.
How It Compares to CAVA’s Other House-Made Drinks
| Drink | Calories (16oz) | Sugar | Caffeine | Best With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cucumber Mint Lime | 180 | 41g | None | Spicy proteins (harissa, lamb) |
| Pineapple Apple Mint | 110 | 23g | None | Braised lamb, richer bowls |
| Blueberry Lavender | 140 | 34g | None | Falafel, roasted veggie bowls |
| Strawberry Ginger | 210(large) | – | None | – |
Is cava Cucumber Mint Lime Good for You?
At 180 calories and 41g of sugar per serving, this isn’t a “diet” drink — it’s closer to a small glass of lemonade than a spa water. That’s not a knock on it; house-made juice with real cucumber and mint beats a fountain soda loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, and there’s no artificial sweetener involved. But if you’re watching sugar intake closely, it’s worth treating this as an occasional pick rather than an everyday one. For a genuinely low-calorie option, Jasmine Green Tea and Unsweetened Black Tea are the only zero-calorie drinks on CAVA’s menu.
🌱 Diet notes: Naturally caffeine-free and vegan. Contains no dairy, gluten, or nuts.
Best Bowl Pairings with cucumber mint lime
CAVA Cucumber Mint Lime is consistently one of the most popular pairings with spicier proteins — the coolness offsets the heat rather than competing with it. Try it alongside Spicy Lamb Meatballs or Harissa Honey Chicken, where the mint and lime cut through the richness and spice in the same way a cold side salad would.
Copycat Cucumber Mint Lime Recipe
CAVA doesn’t publish its exact recipe, so this is a copycat version built to match the flavor and lightness of the original — not an official CAVA recipe.
- 6 Persian cucumbers, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1½ cups fresh lime juice (about 10–12 limes)
- Zest of 1 lime
- â…” cup honey or sugar
- Ice, lime slices, and mint sprigs to serve
Blend the cucumber with a splash of water, then strain out the pulp through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth — this is what keeps the drink light instead of thick like a smoothie. Combine the strained cucumber juice with the lime juice, lime zest, and honey, stirring until the honey fully dissolves. Chill for at least an hour before serving over ice with lime slices and fresh mint.
Cucumbers: Persian or English cucumbers work best — they have thinner skin and fewer seeds than regular garden cucumbers, which keeps the drink from turning bitter or watery.
Sweetener swap: Honey gives a slightly rounder flavor, but plain simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) works just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
Storage: Keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for 3–4 days — give it a shake before serving since the ingredients settle.
