It’s summer, it’s hot and I’m in search of refreshment. Let’s head to the garden, shall we, with this strawberry basil aguas frescas.
Back in my youth days, my mom used to drink seltzer water all the time by the 2-liter and I never liked it. Flash forward 35 years and it’s sort of the new “it” thing to drink, with so many brands and flavors to choose from that one can get overwhelmed. Turns out, I still don’t like it.
I’m sure I’m perpetually dehydrated. Though I don’t feel it, I certainly don’t drink anywhere near the recommended quantities of water. Not that I’m drinking anything else in its place, mind you. While I looove a Diet Pepsi, I only indulge in that sin on vacation. Daily I sit with my full bottle of water on my desk, and eight hours later I may be 75% of the way through it.
It’s always been a struggle for me. Before my both my big hikes in Nepal, I didn’t train for the hikes themselves, but I trained to drink all the water I would need to not get altitude sickness. As soon as I got back home, the water drinking stopped.
However…as the temps rise, I’ve been trying so hard to do better and it turns out that if I add a little bit of real flavor- not artificial, sparkling water is not so bad. My flavors of choice? Strawberry and basil.
You’ve seen this combo before. They come together in one of my favorite no-churns of all time, and this Eton mess is perfect for when you need a last minute treat in minutes.
I digress. But first…
What are aguas frescas?
Aguas frescas, which translates to cool waters, are refreshing non-alcoholic drinks popular in Mexico and Latin America that are made from various fruits, flowers, or seeds blended with a sweetener and water. And you’ve seen it here before.
What do I need to make a strawberry basil agua fresca?
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh basil
- Sugar
- Sparkling water, unflavored
That’s it!
Without further ado, let’s drink.
Strawberry Basil Aguas Frescas
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fresh strawberries
- 2 TB sugar
- 4 basil leaves
- 3 cups sparkling water chilled
Instructions
- Slice the strawberries and place them in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with the sugar and toss to coat. Let sit on the counter for at least an hour to let the berries macerate the the juice to come out.
- Once the berries have sat, add them and their juices to the blender, along with the basil leaves and puree until smooth.
- Add 2 TB strawberry puree to each champagne or wine glass. Fill with ice and top with approximately 6 ounces sparkling water. Stir to combine and enjoy!