Get ready for the ultimate refresher: These agua fresca recipes are must-tries this spring and summer. Made with fresh fruit, citrus, a sweetener and water, these crushable beverages are the ultimate way to cool down.
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The Best Agua Fresca Recipes
We all know staying hydrated is a must, but plain water just doesn’t cut it sometimes!
Agua fresca is here to answer that call. It is quite possibly the most refreshing drink that you can have on a hot day. Loaded with ripe fruit and sweetened with honey, it’s a tasty drink that will hydrate you well!
This Mexican drink can be customized however you want. You can use your favorite fruits and make flavors that you enjoy! It really is the perfect drink for anyone. Pair it with a big ol bowl of chips and guacamole and you’ll thank me later!
More non-alcoholic drink recipes: Homemade Lemonade • Herbal Limeade • Strawberry Lemonade
Why you’ll love this recipe
Agua fresca is the most delicious and refreshing drink. There are so many reasons to love this easy summer drink:
- You can use tons of different kinds of fruits, herbs and spices and make any combination of flavors. That means you can find a flavor combo in this fruit drink that works for even the pickiest person!
- There are loads of health benefits in all different types of fruit and they can often be even more hydrating the plain water. If you need to stay hydrated on a warm day, this tasty drink will do the trick.
- It doesn’t take long to make agua frescas. They are easy to make ahead for a pool party or cook-out.
What is agua fresca?
Agua fresca is a favorite beverage across Mexican and other Latin American countries. You can find convenience stores, juice bars, restaurants and even street vendors selling this fruity beverage.
It is a bit of a cross between flavored water and fruit juice. This fruit drink is made from a blend of water, fresh fruit, lime juice and a natural sweetener like honey or agave.
This non-alcoholic beverage is known to be super refreshing and very hydrating! They are created by blending fruits, grains, flowers or seeds with a mixture of sweetener and water.
Aguas frescas provide a versatile blank slate for to create dozen of different flavor combinations, allowing you to experiment with a wide array of herbs and fruits and find your favorite flavors.
And don’t forget about agua de horchata, another beloved member of the aguas frescas family that is made with rice. Traditionally crafted from rice, it’s a delightful addition to this lineup of thirst-quenching drinks.
Tools & glassware
To make the best agua fresca, you will need a few different kitchen tools. Have a sharp knife on hand to cut the fruit and make sure you’ve got a good cutting board too.
You will also need a blender and a fine mesh strainer. A citrus juicer is optional, but will help in juicing the lime that is needed for agua fresca. Make sure that you’ve got a few measuring cups and measuring spoons on hand too.
As for glassware, you can use anything from wine glasses and highball glasses to mason jars and glass tumblers. If you are making a large batch for guests and prefer for them to serve themselves, make sure you also have a large pitcher.
Ingredients
All of these fresh ingredients are what make agua fresca a delicious drink! Here’s what you need to have on hand:
- fresh fruit: The more fresh the fruit, the better the flavor! Make sure what you grab is ripe and sweet. I’ve got some great flavor combination ideas below!
- cold water: Make sure the water is cold to keep this beverage super chilly and refreshing. Depending on your personal preference, you may want to use more or less water.
- honey: You can use honey, or a variety of other sweeter options. Agave necatar, maple syrup, and regular sugar are great choices. However, you can also use a homemade simple syrup or something fruity like strawberry simple syrup. To create a drink with no added sugar, use something like sugar-free simple syrup, or even leave out sweetener altogether. If your fruit is at peak ripeness, you may not need any extra sweetness!
- fresh lime juice: Fresh lime juice will produce the best flavor, but you can also use lime concentrate if needed. Just keep in mind it will be more tart than fresh. The amount of lime juice from your lime will vary on size, so make sure you’re using just the right amount for your agua fresca.
Fruits for agua fresca
You can use just about any fruit to make agua fresca! You can have fun with making your own flavor combinations:
- melon: From cantaloupe to watermelon to honeydew melon, melon is fantastic in agua fresca.
- guava: Bright and sweet, guava is a Mexican fruit that lends itself well to agua fresca.
- berries: Strawberry is classic, but try it with blackberries, acai or blueberries too.
- tropical fruits: Pineapple, mango and coconut are great flavors in this refreshing drink.
Garnishes
Want to dress up your agua fresca? You can really have fun with garnishes to make these drinks more like a mocktail from a fancy restaurant.
- ice cubes or crushed ice: Play around with berry ice cubes or flower ice cubes to make a statement.
- fresh herbs: Add a sprig of mint, thyme, basil or other herbs
- fresh citrus: Add lime slices for garnish or peel them and make a lime twist. You can also slice other citrus fruits like lemons, oranges or grapefruits for garnishes.
Agua fresca flavor ideas
Ready for the best fruit drink flavors ever? There are so many delicious flavors you can create with different fruits. Here are some of the best favorite combinations for this simple recipe:
How to Make Agua Fresca
With all natural ingredients and a super simple recipe, you can make this delicious drink in no time. Here’s how to make it:
In a blender, combine the strawberries, water, honey and lime juice.
Blend it all up until very smooth.
Strain the strawberry purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher or bowl. This will remove any solids or sediments from the fruit.
Chill for 1-2 hours in a large pitcher or other food-safe, airtight container. If you want to drink it immediately, pour it into glasses over ice.
Tips & tricks
Check out these simple tips to make the perfect drink every time:
- If you are using berries, make sure to hull them and remove their stems. If you’re short on time, you can always buy pre-cut berries from the produce department at your local grocery store.
- For fruits that are more watery, like watermelon, you may need to cut back the amount of water used to about 1 ½ cups.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of water with any of the flavor combinations that you create. If you like it more fruity, use less water!
- Agua fresca is best when it is ice cold. Use cold water and add ice to the beverage to make it extra extra cold and refreshing.
What to serve with Agua Fresca
There are so many delicious snacks that you can serve with these refreshing drinks.
Chips and salsa never get turned down. Sometimes I’ll serve a huge skillet of queso fundido too! Even if it’s hot outside, queso with agua frescas is just so delicious.
A big plate of gooey nachos can be served as an appetizer, or a dinner with this tasty drink. I love to make a batch of this beverage on taco night. It’s always this fruity Mexican drink or a big pitcher of strawberry margaritas. Or… ¿Por qué no los dos?
When to serve Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is so good for so many occasions! Since it’s non-alcoholic, it’s great for kiddos and non-drinkers alike. Make a big batch for…
- pool parties
- cookouts
- bridal and baby showers
- birthday parties
- taco night
- Cinco de Mayo parties
- bachelorette parties
- sipping on the beach
FAQ
It is not necessary to strain fruit. If you don’t mind pulp, feel free to skip that step. But if you’d rather a more smooth drink then make sure you strain it well!
Absolutely! Make this easy summer drink up to two days ahead of time. Store it in the fridge in mason jars or an airtight container and be sure to give a good shake before serving.
To turn this non-alcoholic drink into a cocktail, add some tequila, rum or vodka.
While fresh fruit provides the best flavor, you can use frozen fruit in its place. However, be sure to thaw the fruit completely before blending. Blended frozen fruit will create a smoothie instead of this tasty Mexican drink.
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