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Wonderfully refreshing Strawberry Agua Fresca!
A wonderfully refreshing, lightly sweet summer drink
Strawberry Agua Fresca with Lime is nearly perfect in every way. The color is amazing, the flavor is terrific, and it’s made with all natural ingredients and no artificial flavors. As a result, this refreshing drink is so much better than store-bought bottled drinks.
Made with fresh picked strawberries
Last Saturday morning I headed out to a local farm to pick a few strawberries. I arrived at 8:00 a.m. sharp just as they were opening for the day and ended up picking more than 20 pounds of strawberries in less than an hour.
At the end of a large field I worked a small 20 foot section of a very long row and had to make myself stop before I had more than I could carry.
I really didn’t have a plan for this many strawberries … so guess what? In addition to this wonderful Strawberry Agua Fresca, we’re going to share several more recipes featuring these gorgeous berries so I hope you love them too!
These are true vine ripened fruits.
I’ve never seen strawberries this red all the way through; some are almost maroon in color. As a result, this Agua Fresca has a gorgeous red hue.
One of the first recipes I made was this Strawberry Agua Fresca with Lime. This is an easy recipe to make. The drink is low calorie and refreshing and perfect to serve at summer parties, picnics and showers!
There are no artificial ingredients, no food color and very little sugar in this wonderfully refreshing drink.
Agua Fresca is Spanish for “cool waters.” In Mexico the drink is often served heavy on the sugar. I wanted to ensure the strawberry and lime flavors didn’t get lost therefore I sweetened the drink lightly with simple syrup.
However, feel free to pass more simple syrup for those that prefer something a bit sweeter. Simply syrup mixes in beautifully as the sugar is already dissolved.
The first time I saw this refreshing treat was in a beautiful post for Papaya and Lime Agua Fresca.
I was immediately smitten with the idea of fruited water. This recipe is incredibly simple to make. And, the color and flavor can’t be beat! All you need is a good blender and you’re almost there.
The lime adds a terrific layer of flavor without overpowering the strawberries.
Although Strawberry Agua Fresca is the color of punch flavored Kool-Aid, that’s where the similarities end. It’s fresh and clean, refreshing, thirst quenching and mom (and Gram) approved!
Thanks for PINNING!
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Strawberry Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 4 cups ripe fresh strawberries sliced
- ½ cup simple syrup
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- 8 cups cold water
- lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture starts to boil. Remove and cool slightly.
- Place the 4 cups of sliced strawberries in a mixing bowl with a lid or one that can be covered with plastic wrap. Combine ½ cup of the simple syrup with 1 cup of the cold water and pour over the strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8.
- Pour the strawberries and all accumulated juice into a blender and process until smooth.
- Set a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher. Pour the strawberry mixture through the strainer to remove the seeds. Do this process twice if needed. Use a spoon to press the juice and pulp through the mesh as needed. Discard the seeds and pulp.
- Add 7 cups of cold water and the fresh lime juice to the strawberry mixture in the pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve immediately over ice garnished with sliced lime.
Recipe Notes
- Pass the remaining 1/2 cup of simple syrup to your guests if they prefer a sweeter drink.
Nutrition
Finally, we can’t get enough of these fresh fruity drinks like our Strawberry Agua Fresca.
We can’t wait to try this Piña Colada Agua Fresca or this gorgeous Papaya and Lime Agua Fresca.
How about this creative recipe for Champagne Mango-Lime Agua Fresca?
And finally, I’m getting thirsty just thinking about a refreshing Berry Ginger Agua Fresca.
Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef
We have very sweet aqua fresca here in Santa Cruz, you looks refreshing and not to surgery. I will pin it and make it soon.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Gerlinde! You can pass additional simple syrup for those that like a sweeter drink. I thought it was just right 🙂
Monica
I literally just stepped away from the table after eating about a pound of strawberries just now, Tricia! They were not as amazing as yours but boy oh boy, are strawberries so good and plentiful right now. I’m taking advantage during this short window to devour them (and to think I didn’t like berries growing up)! I’ve never had strawberry agua fresca. How refreshing and totally beautiful to serve friends. I’m glad you got the 20+ lbs. of strawberries – that should be just about enough to eat, with a few left for some recipe making. ; )
Tricia Buice
You should have seen how many I ate while cleaning them Monica! Love strawberries and they are perfect in everything from salads to ice cream, breakfast lunch or dinner. Smoothies too – I almost forgot 🙂
Daniela
We just arrived in Vienna and it’s so warm here that I’m longing for this colorful, refreshing drink. Tomorrow I’ll buy fresh strawberries – huesos for what 🙂
Jane
Thanks this was great
Susan
What gorgeous berries! There won’t be any local strawberries here until sometime in June. What a delightful way to use them. I know I would love it and I think I know two little boys who might like this drink too on a hot, summer day 🙂 I can almost taste it already!
Tricia Buice
It is so refreshing – I had to stop myself from drinking all of it! Enjoy 🙂
Sippitysup
Living is Los Angeles I see a lot of so-so aqua fresca. Yours is so much more refined. It’s making me thirsty. GREG
Tricia Buice
I bet you do see a great variety – in the East it’s not as popular. Guess we should change that! Thanks for stopping by Greg. Hope you have a very nice weekend.
Becky Green
This sounds & looks SO GOOD Tricia!!! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us!!!! Will HAVE TO try!!! 😉 Just thinking of adding a little of this to TEA…!!!! OH YUM!!!! 😉
Tricia Buice
That sounds great Becky. Strawberry Tea – what a great idea – you should blog it 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Beth
I’m looking forward to all those strawberry recipes! Your berries look wonderful – there’s nothing like fresh fruit picked right from the field. Sounds like a refreshing drink.
Tricia Buice
It is very refreshing Beth – thanks for stopping by!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
It must be very very FRESH and tasty!
Tricia Buice
It is so fresh tasting Angie – thanks and have a great weekend!
michael
Hi Tricia! I have never had Strawberry Agua Fresca but it sure looks delicious!!
Tricia Buice
It is wonderful Michael. If you find you have some extra strawberries – I hope you’ll give it a try. Have a wonderful weekend – I bet you are so busy with the family stuff!
cheri
Hi Tricia, how amazing that you picked your own strawberries, but 20 pounds that itself had to be a small feat. Love, love this drink, looks so refreshing.
Tricia Buice
I think I missed my calling Cheri – I seem to make a pretty good field hand! I love working outside. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Chris Scheuer
This is so beautiful and looks so delicious. I can see you had as much fun in the strawberry patch as I did. I lost all sense of reason! Can’t wait to see your other strawberry creations!
Tricia Buice
Can’t wait to see your strawberry recipes too Chris! Have a nice weekend!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
There really is nothing that tastes like a fully ripe, freshly picked strawberry. It has ruined me for those in the store especially out of their natural season. This sounds like summer-perfection Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Amen Toni! I was thinking it would be good with a little rum or something too. Fresh and tasty for summer evenings on the deck. Have a great weekend.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
This is a perfect summer drink! I’m definitely going to be trying this when strawberry picking season rolls around here (a couple of weeks away yet 🙂
Tricia Buice
Yeah Jennifer – hope you like it! We have blueberries, raspberries and blackberries coming in a few weeks – can’t wait to pick those too. Have a wonderful weekend!
Monique
It looks like summer!
Tricia Buice
It tastes like summer Monique. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
Oh that color! I am dying to pick some strawberries, isn’t it amazing how different they taste when they are red all the way through like they’re supposed to be? I fell in love with agua fresca last year and plan to do lots of them this season. Pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice
It took me days to get through all 20 pounds and I gave 1/2 pound to my daughter-in-law. Thank you for introducing me to agua fresca – I love your papaya recipe and want to try it too. Have a great weekend!