Agua Fresca Drink
An Agua Fresca is the perfect balance of lightly sweetened fresh fruit, water and lime juice. Make any of the 5 flavors of this refreshing mocktail in just 5 minutes.
What is agua fresca?
Agua fresca is the Spanish term for “fresh water,” and it’s a light, refreshing drink enjoyed in Mexico and Central America.
In its simplest form, it’s a combination of fruit and water, but sometimes will also contain flowers, seeds or grains.
It’s a delightful way to stay cool at a summer gathering or when you’re sitting poolside.
Make them like a pro at home
I’ve done all the work of testing homemade agua frescas every which way, so that you don’t have to.
After many, MANY rounds of testing and tasting (seriously, my fridge was full of jars of agua frescas for weeks on end), I’ve figured out the perfect balance of fruit to sweetener to lime juice to water for each flavor.
And best of all, I’ve figure out that it’s totally possible to make all five flavors in 20 minutes total! Or, make just one flavor with your favorite fruit in less than 5 minutes.
Why You’ll Love this Agua Fresca Recipe
- Made with fresh ingredients, agua frescas are free from preservatives and artificial flavors.
- With just a few ingredients and a blender, you can whip up a batch in less than five minutes.
- I have five flavors for you to choose from! Make one for you, or all of them for a crowd!
Agua Fresca Ingredients
- fresh fruit – the flavor component of our agua frescas!
- water – used to dilute the fruit puree to create a light and refreshing drink.
- sweetener – I like to sweeten my agua frescas just a little bit with a touch of granulated sugar. You could also use honey, agave syrup or omit the sweetener entirely if you prefer.
- lime juice – adds a tart contrast to the sweetness of the fruit.
- ice – serve your agua frescas over ice to make them the most refreshing.
Agua Fresca Flavors
The flavor possibilities for agua fresca are many, but my favorite choices are the following five, and I give directions for all of these in the recipe card below.
- cucumber
- pineapple
- mango
- strawberry
- watermelon
How to make Agua Fresca
1. WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA. Combine 3 cups roughly chopped watermelon, 2 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a blender and blend until well combined.
2. CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA. Combine 3/4 of a roughly chopped English cucumber, 3 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a blender and blend until well combined.
3. PINEAPPLE AGUA FRESCA. Combine 2-1/2 cups roughly chopped pineapple, 2-1/4 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a blender and blend until well combined.
4. MANGO AGUA FRESCA. Combine 1 cup roughly chopped mango, 3 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a blender and blend until well combined.
5. STRAWBERRY AGUA FRESCA. Combine 3 cups roughly chopped strawberries, 2 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a blender and blend until well combined.
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Agua Fresca Recipe Home Chef Tips
- The ratio of fruit to water varies slightly depending on how watery or fibrous the fruit is to begin with, so pay close attention to the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- The more watery a fruit already is (like watermelon), the less extra water you’ll need to add. The more fibrous a fruit is (like mango), the more water you’ll need to add to get the right consistency.
- If you use a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix, you shouldn’t need to strain the drink, as the blender will completely puree any pulp and seeds. If your blender isn’t as high powered, taste the drink and decide whether or not you want to strain it before serving.
Agua Fresca Drink storage
Agua frescas are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator. Store the drink in an airtight container, and give it a good stir or shake before serving again, as natural separation of the fruit and water will occur.
How long do agua frescas last in the fridge?
When properly stored, agua frescas will last up to 3 days in the fridge.
Agua Frescas Recipe
Ingredients
For Strawberry Agua Fresca:
- 3 cups roughly chopped strawberries
- 2 cups water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For Cucumber Agua Fresca:
- ¾ English cucumber cut into large chunks
- 3 cups water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For Watermelon Agua Fresca:
- 3 cups roughly chopped watermelon
- 2 cups water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For Pineapple Agua Fresca:
- 2 ½ cups roughly chopped pineapple
- 2 ¼ cups water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For Mango Agua Fresca;
- 1 cup roughly chopped mango about 2 mangoes
- 3 cups water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- For each flavor, combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve over ice immediately, or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate up to 3 days.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are for strawberry option.
