Ready to make your own agua fresca? Here’s how:
How to Make Agua Fresca
All you need is a blender, fresh fruit, and water to make your own agua fresca! Start with fruit that’s at peak freshness, or even a little overripe—if it’s too mushy to eat, it’s perfect to blend! Water-dense fruits, like melons, work well, but berries, stone fruit, and tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple work well too. Peel and cut the fruit into chunks, and then add it to a blender with equal parts water. In other words, one cup fruit + one cup water. Some people like to add sugar to their agua fresca, but if your fruit is in-season and sweet, there’s no need. Blend your fruit on high for 1-2 minutes, until it is liquefied. Then, strain over a large bowl using a sieve or cheesecloth to separate out the fruit pulp. Discard the pulp (or save for another project—I freeze mine in small molds for doggie-friendly sorbet). Cover and put liquid in the fridge for at least an hour and up to three days. Serve over ice and enjoy! You can try mixing fruits (just two should do it, this isn’t a smoothie), squirt in some citrus, or add fresh herbs for more unique flavors. Be mindful of mixing fruits that pair well together in color too—a red and green fruit combined may look muddy, while yellow fruits and green fruits can have a beautiful electric color. Stuck in the fridge too long? Freeze your agua fresca in silicone ice molds to use in seltzer water, cocktails, and more.
Agua Fresca Recipes
Need some inspiration for your own agua fresca? Try one of these delicious flavor combinations! RELATED: 7 Smart Ways to Use Your Haul of Fresh Tomatoes
