Learn how to make agua fresca! This refreshing drink is a simple blend of water, fruit, sweetener, and lime. Perfect for hot summer days!
This agua fresca recipe is the best way to cool off on a hot day! Made with four fresh ingredients – fruit of your choice, water, sweetener and lime – this colorful drink is lightly sweet, bright and refreshing. On a scorching summer day in Austin, it’s my favorite way to beat the heat.
What is fresh water?
Agua Fresca is a cold drink made by mixing fruits, grains, seeds and flowers such as hibiscus with water and sugar. In Spanish, the name means ‘cool water’ or ‘fresh water’.
Aguas frescas originated in Mexico and are also popular in Central America and parts of the United States. Where I live in Austin, Texas, aguas frescas are on every menu. My son Ollie and I order them from a stand at the farmer’s market almost every week, and have tried countless varieties of agua fresca at taco trucks and restaurants around town.
But to get the most bang for your buck, I make this agua fresca recipe at home! It goes well with a variety of fruits, including watermelon and pineapple, and is very fun to make with kids in the summer. Read on to learn how to make it!
Best Fruits for Aguas Frescas
What’s interesting about this agua fresca recipe? You can make it with almost any fruit! Here are my favorite agua fresca flavors:
- watermelon
- mango
- pineapple
- honeydew
- melon
- strawberry
- Cucumber (I don’t peel it, but you can peel it if you want!)
Sweet, juicy fruits with no seeds or minimal small seeds are best. Avoid tart, seedy fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, and pomegranates as they will not add enough natural sweetness to this recipe.
tip: I often make this recipe with thawed frozen fruit! Frozen pineapple, mango, and strawberries all work well here.
When it comes to melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumber), you’ll want to stick to fresh for the best texture and flavor.
How to make agua fresca
Once you’ve chosen your favorite fruits, this recipe is easy to make in a blender!
First, mix 1 cup of chopped fruit, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and 2 teaspoons of sweetener in a blender. I most often use agave nectar as a sweetener, but granulated sugar also works (it’s more traditional). No limes on hand? Try using lemon juice instead.
Mix until smooth, then taste and adjust. Add more sweetener as desired.
The agua fresca is then strained. Remove pulp and seeds. Place a fine mesh strainer over a large jar or medium bowl and pour the mixture.
tip: After mixing the agua fresca through a sieve, any pulp, foam, and seeds that may be left behind are removed, creating a delicious, light, and refreshing texture. But it’s not absolutely necessary. If you use a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, there may be very little pulp left after blending. No matter which blender you use, if you don’t like the pulp or want extra fiber, skip the straining!
Put it in a glass filled with ice, Garnish with more fruit and mint leaves if you like!
Find the full measured recipe below.
Storage method
This homemade agua fresca is best enjoyed fresh immediately after blending. However, if you have leftovers or want to make a large batch and store it, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
It will separate if stored in the refrigerator, so be sure to stir it before eating!
The agua fresca flavors pictured above, from left to right, are watermelon, pineapple, cucumber, and mango.
A more refreshing summer drink
If you like this agua fresca recipe, try one of these refreshing summer drinks:
Aguas Frescas Recipe
serve 1
Learn how to make agua fresca! This refreshing drink is easy to make with water, fresh fruit, lime juice, and a little sweetener. It’s one of my favorite ways to cool off on a hot summer day!
- 1 cup chopped fresh fruit, Watermelon, cantaloupe or other melons, mango, pineapple, strawberry or cucumber, etc.
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoon Agave nectar or sugar, Add more to taste (often a teaspoon depending on the fruit).
- ice, for service
- fresh fruit, For decoration, optional
- fresh mint leaves, For decoration, optional
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Place fruit, water, lime juice, and 2 teaspoons agave in a blender. Mix until smooth, then taste and add more agarose if desired.
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Place a fine mesh strainer over a large jar or medium bowl and pour the agua fresca into it to remove any fruit pulp.
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Pour into a glass with ice and garnish with fruit and mint leaves, if desired.
Nutritional information calculated for 1 watermelon agua fresca
