Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Staycation, anyone? One sip in and this cucumber lime agua fresca will have you feeling in full vacation mode. Made with just 3 ingredients in 10 minutes, it couldn’t be simpler or more refreshing!
It’s the ultimate hydrating sip, poolside drink, and also perfect for making in large batches for sharing. Let’s get refreshed!
An agua fresca (which translates to “fresh water”) is a refreshing drink widely popular in Central and South America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. It’s typically a combination of water and sugar mixed with fruit, flowers, or other flavorful ingredients.
It’s thought that the making of agua frescas may go back centuries and that they may have originally been created by the Aztec people. The following is our inspired, naturally sweetened take based on one we tried in Mexico.
This agua fresca employs the subtle, cooling, and thirst-quenching goodness of one of our favorite veggies: cucumber! The best part? You don’t even have to peel them. Just wash, chop, and toss in the blender!
Along with the cucumber, lime juice adds bright fruitiness while agave nectar (or maple syrup) adds a touch of sweetness. Mint is optional but highly recommended!
After combining the ingredients with water, it’s as easy as blend, strain, and serve. Easy peasy, lime squeezy! That’s how it goes, right?
We hope you LOVE this agua fresca, friends! It’s:
Refreshing
Subtly sweet
Hydrating
Quick & easy
& Vacay in a cup!
It’s the ultimate summer drink for parties, poolside, and beyond!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Servings 4 (~1 cup servings)
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Before blending, we recommend tasting your cucumbers to see if the peel is bitter. We left our peels on for vibrant color and flavor, but bitter peels should be removed.
Add all ingredients to a blender (starting with the lesser amount of agave or maple syrup) and blend until completely smooth. Pour through a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl or measuring cup to remove pulp, using a spoon to move it around and speed up straining as needed. Taste and adjust, adding more agave or maple syrup for sweetness or more lime juice for tartness.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of agave nectar and without optional ingredients.
Serving: 1 cup Calories: 53 Carbohydrates: 13.2 g Protein: 0.8 g Fat: 0.2 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 3 mg Potassium: 177 mg Fiber: 1.3 g Sugar: 9.2 g Vitamin A: 23 IU Vitamin C: 9 mg Calcium: 19 mg Iron: 0.3 mg