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.
Strawberry Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 4 cups water
- pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon honey or other sweetener optional
Instructions
- Place strawberries, water, salt, and sweetener, if using, in a blender. Purée until smooth.
- Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate (stir before serving).
I am going to try the recipes and see how good it is so I can try them on the holidays for my family. I like to try different recipes so we won’t get tired.
Hi Maria – I like the way you think!
Hey Shelby. You’ve got me drooling! Even the pictures look good enough to eat (or should I say drink). Being a total foodie but diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I’ve been looking at different ways to satisfy my cravings without driving my blood sugar through the roof. I recently read an article that said that a recent study, published in the American Association of Medicine’s journal of internal medicine (JAMA Internal Medicine), found that a plant-based diet could actually help prevent type 2 diabetes. And, your recipe fits right into such a plant-based diet. I’m absolutely thrilled.
Thanks, Evelyn! I’m (clearly) not exclusively plant-based, but do eat a lot of plant-based meals. If you want to see my vegan recipes, see the “Special Diets” tab above and select “Vegan.” I’d love to hear about some of your favorite diabetic-friendly recipes!
gluten free i think good for diabetes people and thanks for the recipie
You’re welcome, Krishna!
This looks delicious! Just pinned it so I won’t forget to make it soon! Happy Monday!
Thanks, Lauren! Hope you enjoy the agua fresca!