Agua Fresca Recipe (Multiple Flavors)

Enjoy a refreshing summer drink with this simple agua fresca recipe, harnessing the flavors of fresh fruit like watermelon, cucumber, or orange, complemented with a splash of lime juice and sweetened to your personal preference.

Aguas Frescas, translating to ‘cool waters’, are a staple in the heart of Central and Latin America. They’re often served by street vendors and at popular Mexican restaurants and are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Unlike store-bought juices which can be quite sweet, aguas frescas are made with fresh water and real fruit. One of the best things about this refreshing drink is that you can make it with practically any fresh fruit.

This recipe embraces the pure flavors of watermelon, cucumber or orange, blended in a high-powered blender with just the right amount of sweetener, and a zesty note from fresh lime juice. Make it once and you’ll discover why it’s the perfect drink for a hot summer day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of ice
• 1 cup of filtered water
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• Juice from ½ lime
• 1 cup of fresh fruit, like watermelon, cucumber or orange

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender
• Glasses

By the Numbers: How to Make Agua Fresca

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make delicious agua fresca with any type of fresh fruit.

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Blender

Add 1 cup of ice, 1 cup of fresh fruit, 1 cup of water, the juice from ½ lime and 2 tablespoons of white sugar for each serving of agua fresca you want to make to your blender.

Some great fruit options are watermelon, cucumber or orange. Be sure the fruit is peeled, seeded and chopped first.

Step 2: Blend and Serve

Once all of the ingredients are in the blender, blend on high speed until all ingredients are smooth and frothy. Immediately pour into glasses and serve. If you want to chill it first, it may separate and need to be re-blended before serving.

Tips for Making Agua Fresca

Answers to all of your questions about making agua fresca, including tips and substitution ideas.

Use a different type of sweetener

While granulated sugar is used in the basic recipe, you can substitute it with agave nectar, maple syrup, cane sugar or simple syrup based on personal preference. If you’re mindful of added sugar, adjust the amount based on your preference or skip it entirely for a more natural fruit drink.

Tip: use ripe fruit

Remember, the type and ripeness of the fruit you use will influence the sweetness. So, always taste and adjust accordingly.

Use other fruits in this recipe

While watermelon, cucumber, and orange are used here, you can experiment with different types of fruit like fresh pineapple, juicy melon, strawberries or tropical fruit to find your favorite flavors.

How to get the smoothest agua fresca

For best results, use a high-speed blender to get a smooth consistency. For an even finer texture, you can pass the drink through a fine mesh strainer.

Add more flavor to your agua fresca

Popular additions include chia seeds, hibiscus flowers, and even lemon juice for a different twist. You can also use multiple fruits in one batch to vary the flavor even more.

Storage tips

It’s best to store in a large pitcher or jug in the refrigerator and consume it within 1-2 days for the freshest taste. Be sure to mix it up before serving each time.

Serving ideas

For a festive occasion like a Cinco de Mayo party, serve the agua fresca in glasses garnished with lime wedge or an edible hibiscus flower. To make this a drink for the entire family or larger gatherings, simply scale the recipe up and serve in a large pitcher or jug.

Other fruity drink ideas

If you enjoyed this summer drink, here are some of my other favorites:

• Strawberry Lemonade
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Fermented Orange Juice
• Dragon Fruit Smoothie
• Cherry Limeade
• Strawberry Milkshake

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