Do you always feel left out when everyone else is sipping on sweet, fruity, summer beverages? Pour yourself a glass of low-sugar Strawberry Agua Fresca for a refreshing treat and join the party.

Finding interesting drinks that don’t contain sugar or alcohol can be a challenge. I usually go with water or unsweetened iced tea, but those choices don’t excite my wine-loving husband when he’s trying to lose weight. He’s been shaving calories wherever he can and the empty ones contained in wine were his first target. Hence, we’ve been keeping pitchers of things like Citrus Spa Water in the refrigerator. Lemon and lime aren’t my husband’s favorite flavors, so we decided to try a drink with fresh strawberries for a change.

How to Make Agua Fresca

All you’ll need is some fresh fruit, water, possibly a squeeze of citrus juice, a pinch of salt, and a blender. It could be strawberries (see below), peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, nectarines, blueberries, or a combination. For example, this Sugar-Free Watermelon Strawberry Agua Fresca from Health Nibbles looks really good. Note she uses unsweetened apple cider instead of water which will add some carbs.

You could also try a watery vegetable like cucumber or celery instead of fruit. (Cucumber plus fresh lime juice and mint is quite tasty.) I’ve even seen variations involving beets and carrots. If you use vegetables or your fruit isn’t that sweet, a touch of your favorite sweetener can make a big difference. I prefer honey, but you could use agave, stevia, or whatever else you like. If your fruit is ripe, you won’t need any sweetener.

Where did Agua Fresca Originate?

Literally meaning “fresh water” in Spanish, agua fresca is popular in Mexico, Central America, and the U.S. It’s more like flavored water than juice, so it’s lower in calories. It makes a perfect warm-weather, low-carb drink.

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