Agua Fresca – A Beautiful Mess

I’m so excited to share this Agua Fresca recipe with you today! This recipe is made with natural ingredients and is perfect for a hot summer’s day. Using just fruit, water, lime juice and bit of sweetener you can mix and match fruits and vegetables to create your own custom flavors.

More refreshing drinks: Mojito, Virgin Mojito, Orange Julius, Date Shake, Pink Drink.

What is Agua Fresca?

Agua Fresca (Spanish for “fresh water”) is a nonalcoholic beverage made by blending water, sweetener, lime juice with fruit, vegetables, seeds or even flowers (like Hibiscus). This recipe is popular throughout Mexico and Central America as well as in the U.S. You can easily find this recipe as well as Horchata at many restaurants and markets. In this easy recipe, you’ll learn to make Agua Fresca at home using your blender.

Ingredients

• Fresh Fruit – You can use many fresh fruits as well as vegetables, herbs, seeds and even flowers.
• Water – Filtered water is best for this recipe.
• Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice.
• Sweetener – You can use sugar, honey or agave to sweeten this recipe. The sweetener is optional—you may not need it when using sweet, in-season fruits.

How to Make Agua Fresca

In a blender, add fresh fruit, water and lime juice. Blend on smoothie mode.

Add sweetener to taste. You may want to try it before adding sweetener and see if the natural sweetness is enough. If your drink needs sweetener, start with just a teaspoon and go up to a tablespoon if needed. 

Pour into cups with ice and serve immediately. 

Tips for Making

• Mix your favorite flavors. My personal favorites are pineapple with mint and watermelon with mint and extra lime. 
• Make a pitcher drink by doubling this recipe. I love to make several flavors to serve at a party or gathering.
• Leaving the pulp in this drink is healthy and tasty. It is not necessary to strain Agua Fresca, as the natural fiber is a key element of what makes this drink special. If you prefer to strain your drink before enjoying, use a fine mesh sieve to do so.

History

This drink most likely originated in the pre-Columbian era several centuries ago. According to sources, the Aztecs used to go to Tenochtitlan (which is now modern day Mexico City) to purchase fruits to make Agua Fresca.

In the 1940s, this recipe began to be a popular street food, being sold from carts on street corners and in markets. Agua Fresca is to Mexico and Central America the equivalent of what lemonade is in America—the most popular, traditional summertime beverage.

FAQ

The Best Fruit for Agua Frescas

These are the best fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers we recommend using for your recipe.

• Strawberries – Use hulled strawberries. They are rich with vitamin C.
• Pineapple – One of the most popular recipes. Try it with fresh mint!
• Cantaloupe – Use it alone or combined with another melon fruit.
• Honeydew Melon – Is a fresh and delicious fruit to use.
• Cucumber – Combines well with mint.
• Guava – Tastes great sweetened with agave and use extra lime juice.
• Watermelon – Watermelon Agua Fresca is probably the most popular variation.
• Hibiscus Flowers – The most popular flower for this recipe.
• Tamarind – A very popular fruit to use in Mexico.
• Banana – This popular variation is best served with cinnamon.

These are the fruits we don’t recommend for this recipe.

• Blueberries – Really, any kind of berries are not great for this recipe, including raspberries, cranberries and blackberries as well. 
• Avocados – Although amazing in smoothies, we don’t recommend avocados for this recipe.

More Healthy Recipes