As soon as the weather starts to get nice and warm, I start craving Aguas Frescas. I have written about them before, but there is infinite variety in what you can make, and making aguas frescas is a great way to a) use up fruit (or vegetables) that may be getting a bit old in the fridge, b) getting more servings of said fruits and vegetables into your daily meal plan, and c) having a healthy, delicious and refreshing drink on hand! Spiking these drinks is optional, if you’re feeling like a party too!
I think for me, I associate these drinks with hot weather, not that you have to - you can make these year round, of course. An Agua Fresca can be as simple as a cool Limonada- no blender required, you can add chia seeds and limit the sweetener to make it super healthy and very traditional. But for a bit more pizzazz, make an agua fresca in the blender and let your imagination fly! I love making mango strawberry lime, papaya lime, guava chia, raspberry pineapple basil, blackberry mint, and so on… you get the picture, just put a few fruits together and throw them in the blender, add water, sweetener to taste (sugar, honey or agave syrup) and usually a bit of lime or lemon for more punch. Some of these require the mixture to be strained, like the berries, but otherwise, I leave the mix as is and you get the added benefit of the fruit’s fibre.
Next time you find yourself with an abundance of fruit or veggies and herbs, try making an agua fresca!
You will feel like summer is a party!
Agua Fresca de Piña, Pepino y Menta
Pineapple, Cucumber and Mint Cooler
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 Lebanese cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
3 cups water
Sweetener of your choice to taste, optional
Ice cubes for serving
Place pineapple, cucumber, mint and water in blender container. Process until completely smooth.
If desired, you can pass the mixture through a strainer, but if your blender is powerful, you won’t need to do this.
Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and add sweetener to taste.
Serve over ice cubes.
Makes 1 litre.