Agua fresca is a simple and delicious summer fruit beverage. Even though it only consists of fruit, water, lime juice, and a little sweetness, this combination will quench your thirst. Make a big jug of this for your next outdoor party or to drink on your lawn on a hot summer day.
WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?
Agua frescas, which may seem like an unusual Mexican cocktail, are non-alcoholic beverages created with fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, or seeds. They're widespread among street sellers in Mexico and Central America. Nonetheless, bodegas, restaurants, and juice bars sell them, much as they do horchata, another Mexican staple.
Fortunately, agua fresca is simple to make at home. You only need chopped fruit, water, sugar, and a blender. Which brings me to my next point about why I enjoy homemade aguas frescas. They're produced entirely of natural ingredients, take advantage of peak in-season fruits, and are far healthier than most store-bought fruit juices. Well, my friends, let's start mixing.
BEST TYPES OF FRUITS TO USE
While watermelon is one of the most popular types of agua frescas, there are many more. Stick to naturally sweet fruits like honeydew or ones that are incredibly refreshing, like cucumber. Some of my favorites are:
- Watermelon
- Honeydew
- Pineapple
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberries
- Guava
- Papaya
- Cucumber
But if I had to pick just one, my favorite would be pineapple. It was so delicious! Be aware that other berries like blueberries or blackberries aren't the best choices because they have too many seeds or pulp.
HOW TO MAKE AGUA FRESCA
This is what you'll need.
- 4 cups fresh fruit, chopped
- 3 cups of water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 lime, squeezed
When you've gathered all of your ingredients, here's how you'll combine them.
- In a blender, combine the fruit, 3 cups of water, and the sweetener. Blend until absolutely smooth.
- In a large pitcher, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. This isn't necessary, although it does aid in the removal of sediment from fruits like pineapple and cantaloupe.
- Taste to determine if you want to add extra sweetness.
- Serve immediately over ice, or store in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours.
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HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
Agua frescas are best served over ice right away. But if you want to keep leftovers or make this ahead of time, they may be refrigerated for up to 72 hours. Simply give it a thorough swirl before serving because the liquid will separate over time.
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AGUA FRESCA RECIPE (SEVERAL FLAVORS!)
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped fruit
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or any sweetener of your choice
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions
- Add the fruit, water, lime juice, and sweetener to a blender. Then puree until it's completely smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a large pitcher. Taste test to see if you need to add anymore sweetness.
- Serve immediately over ice, or place in the refrigerator to chill.
TIPS
- Watermelon doesn't usually need to be strained, but if you'd like to remove some of the froth and pulp from other fruits it's best to strain.
- Some fruits are naturally sweeter than others, so I always recommend starting with less sweetener and adding more as desired.
- Want to get creative? Make fruit blends or add herbs (fresh mint is great) or spices (fresh ginger is awesome with pineapple).
- I love to store the agua fresca in these large juice jars.
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