Strawberry Agua Fresca

In the heat of summer, you will find yourself reaching for this light, refreshing strawberry Agua Fresca over and over again. The delicious blend of strawberries, water, and agave will cool you off  and keep you hydrated.

What is Agua Fresca?

Sometimes called Fruit Water, Agua Fresca literally means In Spanish Fresh Water. It's a non-alcoholic blend of water with fresh fruit. This not-too-sweet, chilled drink is served in restaurants and from street vendors in Mexico and Central America to hydrate during hot weather.

Best Fruit for Agua Fresca

You have so many choices when choosing fruit for homemade Aguas Frescas. Fruit that juices well is a good place to start. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries, oranges, and pineapple are all popular choices. Melons like honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon are all very popular. Watermelon Agua Fresca and Cucumber Agua Fresca are both favorites you should try. Garnish your drink with mint leaves or basil.

Strawberry Agua Fresca Recipe Ingredients

• Strawberries. Fresh or frozen will both work. Frozen strawberries may give you more of a slushy effect, depending on your blender.
• Filtered Water. A pitcher that filters water comes in very handy for this if your refrigerator doesn't filter water for you.
• Agave or Maple Syrup. Agave has a more neutral flavor, but maple syrup works as well, honey is a also good sweetener choice.
• Lemon Juice. Lemon enhances the strawberry flavor.

How to Make Agua Fresca

Fruit drinks are a huge trend right now, but so many of the fruity beverages have added sugar and are too sweet, in our opinion. Agua Fresca to the rescue! Making it is super easy! Just throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You will still get all the fiber from your fruit but in liquid form. No extra steps to worry about unless your fruit of choice needs to be peeled or diced before it can go in the blender. Chill the ingredients so that your drink is cold right away, and pour over ice.

Variations and Flavor Combinations to Try

Strawberries are a great choice because who doesn't like strawberries, right? But once you fall in love with this fresh non-alcoholic drink, you will want to try all kinds of different flavor combinations. A good rule of thumb is this: If the two or three fruits would taste good in a smoothie together, you can probably combine them in water. We would avoid bananas in this case.

• Strawberry and pineapple always make a great flavor combination.
• Mango & Pineapple
• Peach & Blueberries
• Watermelon, Cucumber & Lime Juice
• Guava & Coconut
• Strawberries & Basil
• Watermelon & Mint

FAQ

How long will agua Fresca last in the fridge?

Two or three days in a pitcher. Stir before serving each time.

When to serve agua Fresca?

This kind of fresh, flavored water is awesome as an afternoon pick-me-up and is also great on hot days to cool off or when you need hydration.

Is Agua Fresca Healthy?

Getting more water and fruit is always a good thing, they are hydrating and fruits contain vitamins such as vitamin c, Vitamin A, potassium etc. Try adding a small amount of natural sweetener like we did or skip it completely.

Is there sugar in Agua Fresca?

Yes. Sugar, fructose to be precise, occurs naturally in fruit, so any drink that contains fruit has sugar. Aguas Frescas recipes usually call for added sugar. However, this is completely within your control -- you choose how much sugar to add.

Does it matter what kind of blender I have?

No. As long as your blender works to puree fruit, it will make this drink just fine.

Where did agua Fresca originate?

This gorgeous drink can trace its roots back to the Aztecs, where it is said many would travel to Tenochtitlan to purchase fruit just to have fresh fruit for their homemade drinks.

What is the difference between Agua Fresca and juice?

Agua Fresca is lighter than juice, we consider it homemade fruit-flavored water. It's made with a combination of water, real whole fruit, sugar, and sometimes fruit juice. Juice is usually 100% fruit with no added ingredients.

Can you freeze Agua Fresca?

Yes. Pro Tip: Freeze it and stir every twenty minutes or so until you have a slushy consistency. Enjoy as a popsicle or slushy. Thaw and drink while it is still icy if desired.

Tips for Making Agua Fresca

1. Chill your fruit or freeze it to have a nice cold drink without ice. Starting with cold water also helps.
2. This is a great drink to make when strawberries are in season! The flavor of fresh, ripe strawberries cannot be beaten. We are partial to the ones grown in California if you can find them.
3. Soak your fruit in water to make sure it is thoroughly clean. Remove all stems and leaves.
4. A regular blender works fine when using fresh fruit, which is what we recommend. If you prefer to use frozen fruit it's better to use a smoothie maker or a high-speed blender. Place the water at the bottom and then add the fruit.

More Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Try at Home

• Piña Colada Agua Fresca
• Nectarine Lemonade
• Watermelon Lemonade
• Rose Water Lemonade
• Jalapeño Mint Ice Tea Spritzer

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