Strawberry Agua Fresca Recipe
A bright, refreshing strawberry agua fresca made in 5 minutes with fresh strawberries, water, and agave. Includes the strawberry lemon agua fresca variation and a sparkling option.
Servings 4 glasses
Calories 60kcal
Equipment
- Blender (standard or high-powered)
- Fine mesh strainer optional -- for a clearer, pulp-free result
- Large pitcher (64 oz or larger)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh strawberries hulled and halved; frozen and fully thawed works equally well -- drain excess liquid before blending
- 4 cups cold water reduce to 3.5 cups for stronger flavor; use 2 cups for sparkling version base
- 2-3 tbsp agave syrup or 3 tbsp granulated sugar dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water; or 2 tbsp honey; or monkfruit sweetener to taste
- 1 lime, juiced about 2 tbsp; for lemon variation use 2 lemons instead (about 4 tbsp juice)
- 1 pinch salt optional -- heightens fruit flavor
Optional Garnish
- 4 lemon or lime wheels garnish
- 4 sprigs fresh mint garnish -- works especially well with lemon variation
- 4 fresh strawberries garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Strawberries
- Remove stems and hull from each strawberry, then halve them. Taste one -- if they are very ripe and sweet, start with 2 tbsp sweetener; if they taste under-sweet or slightly tart, use 3 tbsp.
- Add the strawberries to a blender with 2 cups of the cold water and the agave (or dissolved sugar). Do not add all the water yet -- blending with less water first gives a smoother, more concentrated puree.
Blend and Adjust
- Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until completely smooth. The mixture will look thick and bright pink. Open the lid carefully -- the smell will be sharp and green at this stage, which is normal.
- Add the lime juice (or lemon juice for the lemon variation) and the remaining 2 cups cold water. Blend for another 10 seconds to combine.
- Taste. If it needs more sweetener, add 1 tsp at a time and blend briefly. If it is too sweet, add a squeeze more citrus or another half cup of water.
Strain and Serve
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing gently with a spoon to extract liquid. Skip straining if you prefer more body and texture -- both are correct.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or serve immediately over ice. Add ice to individual glasses, not the pitcher. Stir the pitcher before each pour. Garnish with a lemon wheel, fresh mint sprig, and a fresh strawberry.
Notes
Sweetener: start with 2 tbsp agave or sugar and adjust to taste -- ripe strawberries need less sweetener than off-season ones. Agave dissolves cleaner in cold liquid; if using granulated sugar, dissolve it in 2 tbsp warm water first.
Lemon variation: use 2 fresh lemons (about 4 tbsp juice) per 1 lb strawberries and reduce water to 3.5 cups. Use plain sugar instead of agave for the cleanest flavor with lemon.
Sparkling version: blend with 2 cups water only, strain, then top each glass with plain sparkling water at serving. Do not add sparkling water to the pitcher.
Storage: up to 3 days in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator. Stir before serving -- natural separation is normal. A strained version holds clarity longer.
