Chill Out With Easy & Refreshing Agua Fresca!

The heat of summer requires some serious hydration, but sometimes I want more than a simple cup of water. During hot spells, I take a cue from the Latin world and keep my fridge stocked with agua frescas.

Blueberry, Cucumber, Lemon, And Basil Agua Fresca

Agua fresca literally means cool water. It is a light, slightly sweet, non-alcoholic drink that is often served by street vendors throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

blueberries

Typically they are made from a combination of fruit, cereals, flowers or seeds that are blended with water and then strained.

Fruit is often the main ingredient in an Agua Fresca. Common flavors include:

  • Cantaloupe
  • Guava
  • Apple
  • Mango
  • Melon
  • Papaya
  • Passion Fruit
  • Watermelon

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Often the fruit is flavored with a bit of citrus; either lemon or lime and sweetened with sugar, honey or agave.

When it comes to agua frescas, almost anything goes. In my recipe, I sweetened with a bit of sugar and blueberries as I had just picked nearly 10 pounds the day before. I added cucumber because I find it to be very cooling and I love the soft vegetable flavor it provides. I balanced the sweetness with lemon and reached for a few basil leaves to add a bit more interest.

Into a blender

Having a pitcher of this stunning purple-hued beverage in the fridge makes hydrating fun rather than a chore. It helps to keep the kids hydrated as well as they are always up for drinking any sort of “juice” rather than water. And I can feel good about giving them a glass of this because it’s mostly sweetened with fruit and loaded with lots of vitamins.

If you too are struggling with the heat of summer, try cooling down with agua frescas!

Cooling Agua Fresca

Cucumber Blueberry & Basil Agua Fresca Recipe

  • 1 large cucumber (about 1 pound) cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • ¼ cup sugar (or honey)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 5 large basil leaves
  • 1½ cups water
  • pinch salt

Step 1:

Combine the cucumber, blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, basil, water and salt in a large blender and blend until completely smooth.

Step 2:

Set a fine mesh strainer over a larger pitcher or container and strain the juice pressing down on the pulp to extract as much of the liquid as possible.

Step 3:

Taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. Add ice and enjoy with tacos!

Agua frescas will keep in the fridge for about three days.

Create the Spicy Salsas and Delicious Tacos You Crave!

Finally, enjoy all the benefits of an in-person cooking class without the hassle of travel or scheduling when you join the online class “Mexican Street Food: Tacos and Salsas” today.

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