This pineapple cucumber agua fresca is light and refreshing, great for Sunday brunch or family gatherings. The tartness and sweetness of the pineapple are perfect with the cooling effect of the cucumber, and it has basil!
Why this recipe Works
It is super easy to make, and both adults and kids will love it. It is of course vegan, gluten-free and you can use whatever sweetener you like to make it refined sugar-free.
What are aguas frescas?
Mexico has a long tradition of serving aguas frescas. You can find them being sold all across the country in markets, restaurants, or on street carts. Aguas frescas are essentially fresh fruit mixed with water, sugar, and sometimes grains, cereals, and seeds. The most popular ones are tamarind, Jamaica (hibiscus), lime, cantaloupe, and horchata (made from rice).
I find aguas frescas so refreshing during the hot summer months here in Texas. If you want to experiment with making aguas frescas I highly recommend the book Aguas Frescas and Paletas by Erica Sanchez of Nibbles and Feasts. The book is beautiful and the recipes are very easy to replicate at home. It includes traditional aguas frescas and some innovative ones, as well as recipes for paletas (popsicles) made with fresh fruit.
A healthy refreshment
Homemade aguas frescas are a great addition to your daily diet. They contain all the benefits that fruit provides, fiber, vitamins, etc since the whole fruit is used. Some might be worried about the amount of sugar, to reduce the sugar in this you can decrease the sugar by half or use a low-glycemic or natural sugar.
You could also turn this into a cocktail by adding your favorite spirit.
Ingredients
Pineapple: Try to use fresh pineapple, however, if you don’t have access to it you can use frozen or canned pineapple in juice.
Cucumber: Any cucumber will work. There is no need to peel or take out the seeds of the cucumber.
Basil: Use fresh basil, dried basil will not work with this. If you don’t have basil you can substitute it with fresh mint.
Sugar: Use your favorite sweeteners, such as stevia, monk fruit sugar, or agave syrup
Step by Step Instructions
- Add cucumber to blender.
- Add basil to blender
- Add sugar to blender
- Add pineapple to blender.
5. Add water to blender.
6. Blend until smooth
7. Until it looks foamy on top.
8. Pour into a pitcher and serve over ice.
Serving:
If you’re going to serve immediately, pour ice in a large pitcher and pour the agua fresca in it.
Storage
If you’re going to serve it later, you can store it in a pitcher without ice until ready to serve.
This will keep in the fridge for up to two days.
FAQ
Aguas frescas are essentially fresh fruit mixed with water, sugar, and sometimes grains, cereals, and seeds. It is served over ice.
Yes. If the fruit is ripe enough you might not need sugar at all. You could also use low-glycemic sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or coconut sugar.
Yes, because aguas frescas include the whole fruit so it contains the fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins that fruit provides. As well as it being hydrating due to the high water content. Sugar is optional.
Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 1 medium pineapple
- 1 cucumber (about 1 ¾ cups)
- 1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
- 7 cups water
Instructions
- Peel and chop pineapple and cucumber. Place chunks in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add basil and sugar. Blend for 10 more seconds.
- Transfer mixture to a large pitcher and stir in water. Serve over ice.
Notes
- If you’re going to serve immediately, pour ice in a large pitcher and pour the agua fresca in it.
- If you’re going to serve it later, you can store it in a pitcher without ice until ready to serve.
- This will keep in the fridge for up to two days.
- To make this low in sugar use your favorite low-glycemic sweeteners, such as stevia, monk fruit sugar, or coconut sugar.
Nutrition
Although dorastable.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates.
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