Agua de Fresa
Try agua de fresa for an incredibly refreshing recipe made from only strawberries, water, and a touch of sweetener. It’s quick and easy to put together, leaving you with the perfect summer drink full of berry-forward flavors!
You can find aguas frescas, like agua de Jamaica and agua de fresa, at virtually every street corner, restaurant, and taquería in Mexico. They’re simple to make, healthier than soda, and (mostly importantly) ultra-refreshing.
Why I love this recipe
Once summer roles around, I always have a pitcher of agua de fresa in my fridge. The sweet, juicy flavor of strawberries makes this drink great for cooling off on a hot day or when you’re eating spicy foods.
The only ingredients you need are strawberries, cane sugar, and water. Just blend the berries and sugar, strain it, and enjoy!
You can even make your agua de fresa without sweeteners for a thirst-quenching, naturally sweet beverage everyone will love.
Ingredient notes
The ingredients for this agua de fresa couldn’t be easier to find! Find a full breakdown and suitable substitutes below.
Strawberries
With such an intense natural sweetness, you don’t need to add too much sweetener, if any at all. You can use fresh or frozen strawberries interchangeably.
Substitute: Raspberries can be used for a similar berry flavor but with a slightly tart note.
Sweetener
I typically use unrefined cane sugar or agave to sweeten the drink without overpowering the strawberry flavor.
Substitute: I often find myself reaching for Stevia as a sugar-free alternative. Stevia makes a great replacement if you want a healthier option. For reference, 2 tablespoons of cane sugar are equal to 1 typical packet of powdered stevia (or an 8:1 ratio).
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to the recipe card.
How to make
Learn the best way to make agua de fresa with my easy-to-follow instructions. Look for the tips in green throughout this section for consistent and successful results!
Preparation
Rinse the strawberries thoroughly under cold water to ensure they are clean and free from any dirt or pesticides. This is especially important for non-organic strawberries. Remove the green tops and roughly cut them into smaller chunks.
Assembly
Step 1
Place the strawberries into a blender. Add 4-5 cups of water and your chosen sweetener. For a hint of citrus, you can squeeze in lime juice or even add some lemon lime simple syrup.
Step 2
Blend it on high until the mixture is completely smooth and no chunks remain. Taste and adjust the sweetener or water to your preferences before straining it.
Step 3
Strain the blended strawberry mixture into a bowl, jar, or pitcher to remove the seeds and any remaining chunks.
Straining the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer is essential to remove all the seeds and pulp for a smoother, seed-free agua de fresa.
Step 4
Transfer the pitcher to your fridge to chill for a few hours, or serve your strawberry agua fresca immediately over ice with mint sprigs, fresh basil, lime, or lemon wedges. Happy drinking!
Expert tip
Since strawberries’ natural sweetness can vary, I suggest tasting them before blending. Start with a small amount of sweetener, then adjust the drink after it’s mixed to suit your liking.
The riper the berries, the less sweetener you’ll need. If strawberries aren’t in season, use frozen berries, as they are generally packaged at their peak ripeness.
Frequently asked questions
Add a bit more water and a squeeze of lime juice to balance it out.
This might happen if the strawberries aren’t ripe and flavorful enough. It can also happen when too much water is added. Use ripe strawberries and adjust the water quantity as needed.
If you don’t have a blender, you can mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher, though the texture won’t be as smooth. Strain it after mashing to remove the seeds.
Storing
Drinks like agua de fresa will last for a few days once made. Follow these guidelines for the best results.
Fridge
You can keep this strawberry drink in a mason jar or pitcher for up to 2-3 days. I find glass containers preserve the taste best, but feel free to use whatever container you have.
Freezer
Strawberry water will last up to 1 year in the freezer as long as it’s in freezer-safe containers. I usually let it thaw overnight in the fridge, and give it a quick blend before serving.
Serving size
Typically, this agua de fresa recipe yields enough to serve around 4-6 people, making it perfect for small family meals or gatherings. It can also be scaled up to accommodate larger groups or events.
Double or triple the recipe, and make sure you have an extra-large pitcher or a couple of pitchers to hold it all. If you end up with too much, you can always freeze it in ice cube trays to chill your next batch!
Watch how to make it
More refreshing drinks
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Recipe
Agua de Fresa (3 Ingredients)
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine mesh strainer
- Pitcher or large jar
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries
- 4-5 cups water
- ⅓ cup cane sugar or agave
Mix-ins
- Ice
- Stevia in place of sugar
- Lime wedges
- Mint sprigs
Instructions
- Rinse the strawberries and cut off the green tops. Add the strawberries to a blender with water and sweetener of choice (cane sugar, agave, stevia, etc.). You can add in a squeeze of lime juice at this point if you'd like.
- Blend on high until no chunks remain and the mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetener or water to your preferences, then strain the mixture into a bowl, jar, or pitcher to remove some seeds.
- Transfer to the fridge to chill for a few hours, or serve your agua de fresa immediately over ice with mint sprigs, fresh basil, lime, or lemon wedges. Happy drinking!
Notes
Nutrition
Note: I’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.