Strawberry Agua Fresca

By Natalie Battaglia | Updated May 2, 2022

This strawberry agua fresca is the perfect drink for a warm Spring or Summer's day. It's ideal for entertaining and those who like to prepare ahead of time.

Are you looking for a refreshing drink? This Mexican strawberry water is for you. Agua frescas are a light fruity drink popular in Mexico and if you translate the Spanish into English its name means โ€˜fresh waterโ€™.

A tangy mix of sweet strawberry and sour lime, this strawberry fresca drink is perfect over ice. Be sure to check out my watermelon agua fresca recipe too.

This strawberry mocktail recipe is perfect for the whole family. Which makes it an excellent mocktail for kids.

Why This recipe works

This strawberry agua drink ticks all the boxes. Itโ€™s:

  • Easy: it doesnโ€™t come much easier than this recipe. Simply mix, blend, strain, chill and serve.

Hint: serve over ice to keep your strawberry fresca cooler for longer.

  • Itโ€™s great for entertaining: this refreshing fruit water is a cost-effective way to take advantage of the strawberry season. Make it in advance, so youโ€™re free to enjoy yourself.
  • Perfect to make ahead of time: Serve your strawberry agua fresca fresh over ice or keep it chilled in the fridge. Make sure to give it a quick stir before serving to mix the ingredients.ย 

What is strawberry agua fresca?

Agua fresca is a light fruit drink popular in Mexico. Traditionally it is a mix of fruit, water, sugar, and a little lime juice. Made with various fruits, strawberry agua is the most common and popular variation.

Best of all, authentic strawberry agua fresca is alcohol free. There are no adaptations or omissions needed to whip up this easy drink!

If you love all things strawberry, be sure to check out my virgin strawberry daiquiri margaritas which are always a hit. Or, if you prefer a citrus tang, my strawberry lemonade is for you. 

Ingredients

This recipe calls for fresh everyday ingredients that come together to make the perfect summer sip.

written list with pictures of ingredients for strawberry fresca including strawberries water mint lime and sugar.

Fresh strawberries: Thereโ€™s nothing better than fresh strawberries straight from the punnet. If you can only get your hands on frozen strawberries, always thaw them before adding.

Slice your strawberries before macerating them in the sugar water mixture for a sweet and smooth result.

Sugar, or monkfruit sweetener: maceration (soaking fruit in sugar water) is essential to soften the strawberries. It will turn even less than perfect berries into something worthy of your fresca.

Cane sugar is the most common choice when making strawberry agua fresca, but monkfruit sweetener works well for a low sugar option.

Lime juice: since fresca literally means fresh, I will advocate that you use fresh lime in this recipe. Of course, a fresca in the hand is better than no fresca at all. If you canโ€™t get your hands on fresh lime, bottled will also work! If you love all things lime, be sure to check out my virgin mojito recipe too.

Mint to garnish: a simple garnish for a deliciously simple drink. A spring of mint, freshly halved strawberries and a lime wheel make this fresca look as good as it tastes.

VARIATIONS

If you prefer your agua fresca strawberry mocktail on the sweeter side, this recipe works well without the lime. Alternatively, adjust the quantity to your taste.

For a low sugar option, simply swap the sugar out with monkfruit sweetener to enjoy a refined sugar-free fresca.

2 tall glasses of strawberry water garnished with strawberry and lime with fresh strawberries, lime wedges and ice scattered around on a white background

Equipment You'll Need  

Sweet and refreshing, strawberry agua fresca is easy to make. Youโ€™ll need a:

Want to save this?

Enter your email below and we'll send it to your inbox, plus you'll get a new mocktail recipe from me every week.

  • Blender: a quick blitz is all you need to make a deliciously smooth drink. A traditional or stick blender both work well for this recipe, but I find it easier with a traditional blender.
  • Citrus juicer: if youโ€™re adding lime then itโ€™s well worth choosing fresh. A citrus juicer will help you to extract the most juice from your limes. Theyโ€™re an inexpensive and handy tool, especially for citrus lovers!
  • Strainer: strawberry agua fresca has been created to have a smooth feel in the mouth. Use a strainer to remove any lumps and large seeds. Choose a metal sieve with a fine mesh for best results.
  • Pitcher: serve your fresca in a pitcher for the perfect party drink. Save time by straining directly into the pitcher. Make sure to add ice before serving so your fresca is nice and cold.

How to make a strawberry agua fresca

  1. Mix sliced strawberries, sugar (or monkfruit sweetener) and 1 cup of water together in a medium bowl.
  2. Cover and leave in the fridge for 4 hours.
photo 1 is the strawberries, sweetener and water in a bowl, shot 2 shows them after seeping in the fridge for a few hours

3. Stir well, then pour the strawberry mixture into a blender and blend on high until smooth.

4. Strain through a wire mesh strainer over a jug or bowl. Add the remaining water and stir to combine.

step 3 showing the strawberry agua fresca mixture being added to a blender, step 4 is the mixture being strained.

5. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve or serve immediately over ice.

6. Garnish with lime wheels and mint.

step 5 pouring the agua fresca over ice into a glass, step 6 garnishing with mint and lime

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Frozen strawberries are a great option when fresh strawberries are out of season. Allow them to fully thaw before use.

Can I use carbonated water?

True agua frescas are not carbonated. They are designed to be thirst quenchers rather than sweet treats. Stick to flat water to keep it authentic.

I donโ€™t have monkfruit sweetener. What can I use?

Agave nectar is the traditional sweetener for agua fresca.ย 
Alternatively, you can use Stevia or coconut sugar. Refer to the instructions on the pack for conversion amounts.

Is agua fresca good for you?

Drinking agua fresca is a great way to stay hydrated on a warm day. You can also lower the sugar content by using monkfruit sweetener.
Additionally, fresh strawberries are a fantastic source of vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. Straining may lower the nutritional value of the strawberries however most of the goodness is still retained.

Can I make strawberry agua fresca in advance?

Yes! This recipe tastes best when the fruit is given time to steep. You can make this recipe a day or two in advance. Simply store the blended fruit mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the additional chilled water once you are ready to serve.

Expert Tips

  • If you have icy pole moulds, the fresca mixture is perfect for freezing and having as a treat on a warm day.
  • You can strain this mixture directly into the pitcher to save any additional dishes.
  • Save yourself some time when your guests arrive and make this a few hours prior. Just keep it in the fridge and stir gently when you're ready to serve.

Related Recipes

If you love this recipe, you'll also love my:

Love this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ๐ŸŒŸ rating in the recipe card below or leave me a comment if you REALLY love it!

Like what you see? Stay in touch with me via InstagramTikTokFacebook and Pinterest. I love connecting with you!

I hope you love this tangy strawberry agua fresca recipe just as much as I do!

2 tall glasses of pink strawberry agua fresca garnished with a lime wheel, strawberry and sprig of mint on a white background

The BEST Strawberry Agua Fresca

An easy, refreshing strawberry agua fresca recipe. This strawberry water is hydrating and delicious.
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chilling time: 3 hours
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups strawberries, sliced
  • ยฝ cup sugar, or alternative See notes
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 lime, sliced for garnish
  • Few sprigs of mint for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix sliced strawberries, sugar (or monkfruit sweetener) and 1 cup of water together in a medium bowl. Cover and leave in the fridge for 4 hours.
  • Stir well, then pour the strawberry mixture into a blender and blend on high until smooth.
  • Strain through a wire mesh strainer over a jug or bowl. Add the remaining water and stir to combine.
  • Chill in the fridge until ready to serve or serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lime wheels and mint. I love adding a squeeze of lime juice right before serving to add a little acidity.

Video

Notes

Sugar vs sweetener: Authentic agua frescas will often not use sweetener or sugar, but rather let the flavor of the fruit shine through.
If you have perfectly ripe and in season sweet strawberries, you may not need to add any sugar. I personally prefer to add that ยฝ cup because it's rare to find perfect fruit.
I use monkfruit sweetener for a lower carb option, but regular sugar can also be used.
Lime juice: I strongly recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice in this recipe - it tastes so much better.

Nutrition

Serving: 250g | Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 179mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg

NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.

Did You Make This Recipe? Please leave a rating below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
5 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




4 Comments