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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

There is nothing like a nice glass of cold lemonade or sweet tea on a hot summer day. While it definitely tastes great and is very refreshing, oftentimes these kinds of drinks are full of sugar and not much else when it comes to nutrition. Looking for a healthier alternative that is still sweet and cold? Give agua frescas a try!

Agua frescas are drinks that are very popular in Latin countries. The name translates to “freshwater” or “cool water.”

Agua frescas are basically water mixed with fruit pulp, and occasionally grains or seeds. The result is a naturally sweet, refreshing drink that has a lot more nutrients and a lot less sugar than other beverages. Besides being much healthier than other drinks, another perk to agua frescas is that they are very versatile, you can make them using any fruit or other flavoring that you would like. Below is a very basic recipe for agua fresca as well as some ideas on what flavors to make!

Agua Fresca Basic Recipe:

• 4 C. Water
• 2 C. Fruit – Any kind works, so choose your favorites!
• ¼ C. Sweetener – Not necessary, use only if desired.
• 2 Tsp. Lime juice
• Chia seeds, or other grains if desired
• Optional ice and garnishes

Now all you have to do is combine the first 3 ingredients in a blender, stir in the lime juice and grains or seeds if used, and you’re done!

Some fruit combinations you might consider trying include:

• Cucumber and lime
• Cantaloupe
• Hibiscus
• Watermelon and lime
• Blackberry and basil
• Strawberry
• Watermelon and cucumber
• Tamarind
• Dragon fruit
• Pineapple and cucumber

Those are just a few ideas! The flavors and combination of flavors is truly endless! So instead of reaching for a sweet tea or soda the next time you’re looking for a refreshing drink, try making a batch of agua fresca!

For more articles on healthy beverages, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!