Hot enough for you? I thought so. Raspberry Agua Fresca is an incredibly refreshing Mexican fruit drink with thousands of years of history as a healthy hydrator.
agua fresca is the OG flavored water!
If you’ve been hauling way too many of those heavy canned waters home lately, stop right now and listen up. Agua fresca is the OG fruit flavored water, and it’s healthier, cheaper, better for the environment, and way better for your back, too. It’s time to get smart, kick the cans, and make easy raspberry agua fresca. (Then make allllll the other fruit flavors.)
Agua fresca means fresh water in Spanish, it’s a traditional Mexican drink that dates back to pre-Columbian times. The Aztecs and other indigenous peoples of Mexico drank it and this historic hydrator is still a favorite today, that speaks volumes!
related: How to Make Healthy Infused Water
what you’ll need to make raspberry agua fresca
- raspberries
- raspberries have one of the more intense flavors of any fruit and so it works well in agua fresca where we are watering down the fruit puree to make a refreshing drink. The raspberry flavor shines through!
- sugar
- optional but it does help enhance the raspberry flavor. I suggest tasting first and adding if necessary. Honey or other alternative sweeteners like stevia or agave syrup can be used instead.
- lime juice
- the acidity from lime juice can enhance our perception of other flavors; here it brightens the raspberry flavor This makes the agua fresca taste more vibrant and well-rounded.
related Papaya and Lime Agua Fresca
agua fresca is a 3 step process
- Puree fresh fruit with water.
- Add a touch of sugar and lime juice to taste.
- Straining is optional. Agua fresca can be served without straining and the fruit pulp will give it texture. Raspberries have seeds so I strain mine.
You can use agua fresca immediately over ice or chill it for later. I like to chill it so the final effect is the most refreshing possible.
Ratio of fruit puree to water in agua fresca
With this agua fresca fruit to water ratio chart you can make agua fresca with virtually any fruit customized to your preferences ~ without a recipe. Agua fresca can skew more towards fruit juice or more towards flavored water depending on the ratio you use.
- 1:2 ratio (stronger flavor):
- Use 1 part fruit puree to 2 parts water. This ratio is often used for fruits with high water content like watermelon or cucumber.
- 1:3 ratio (lighter flavor):
- Use 1 part fruit puree to 3 parts water. This is common for more intensely flavored fruits like raspberries or peaches.
why is agua fresca healthier than fruit juice
Fruit juice is high in natural sugars and therefore calorie dense as well. Agua fresca offers hydration without the excess sugar and calories because we’re diluting the fruit with pure water.
other fruits to use in agua fresca
Raspberry agua fresca is delicious but so may other fruits can be used. Fresh is traditional but frozen fruit can also be used, just thaw before pureeing.
- melons of all kinds, cantaloupe, watermelon, etc.
- pineapple
- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
- mango
- papaya
- peach
- plum
- cucumber and tomatoes are actually fruits and, yes, you can use them to make agua fresca!
can agua fresca be made with veggies?
Yes, try celery, rhubarb, or spinach!
How about freezing agua fresca?
If you want to make use of fabulous seasonal fruit for year round agua fresca I would blend fruit into a puree without the water. Freeze the puree in ice cube trays so you can thaw and blend with water whenever you like.
can I add alcohol to agua fresca?
Yes, you can add alcohol to agua fresca to create a refreshing low abv cocktail. Tequila, rum, and vodka are popular choices that pair well with fruit-based agua frescas. Add to taste but for a low alcohol by volume cocktail use 1 part spirits to 4-5 parts agua fresca.
more beverage recipes
Raspberry Agua Fresca
Equipment
- blender
- mesh strainer optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups raspberries
- 2 Tbsp sugar, or to taste.*
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Taste to adjust your lime juice or sweetener.
- Strain your agua fresca to remove any seeds.
- You can serve your agua fresca immediately, over ice, but I prefer to chill it first. Let it get really cold before serving.
- Agua fresca will keep for several days in the refrigerator, but the ingredients may separate, so give it a stir before serving over ice.
Thanks for the answer before I even asked. I’ve mixed frozen fruits and now I know what to do with it. I didn’t want a heavy smoothy. We’re having a perfect summer right now is Southern California. This will make for a nice sip in the afternoon or possibly aperitif! Such great ideas as always.
This is perfect for your Southern Cal weather!