This recipe for agua fresca (which is Spanish for “fresh water”) is sweetened and flavored with fresh mint, cucumber and lime.
Serves 6
Ingredients:
4 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced into ½-inch slices (about 5 cups)
½ cup water
Pinch of salt
3 cups ice cubes
1 small bunch fresh mint or basil (about 1 cup)
1 lime, juiced Agave nectar or sugar syrup (see following recipe)
Cucumber spears
In a blender, combine cucumber, water and salt. Cover and puree until smooth. If you want it perfectly smooth, sieve mixture, but this is not essential. Add ice cubes and mint; blend until slushy. Stir in lime juice and sweeten with agave nectar to taste. To serve, add a cucumber spear to each glass.
SUGAR SYRUP
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar; heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Cool. Pour into a jar and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. –Adapted from bhg.com
