Source: Better Homes and Gardens magazine, p. 200, September 2010
Servings: 6
Entered by: Janice Matthews
Vegetarian Vegan

Agua fresca, which is Spanish for "fresh water," is made from a base of sweetened water with various flavorful additions. This version, with cucumber, basil, and fresh mint, is both refreshing and restorative on a hot day. Try experimenting - For variations on this version, you can use various melons, berries, or herbs that you may have on hand; just throw them all in the blender. A splash of rum or vodka makes this a great before-dinner drink.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium cucumbers, peeled seeded, sliced (about 5 cups)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 small bunch fresh mint (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 small bunch basil (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • to taste sugar syup* or agave nectar
  • 3 cups ice cubes
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. 1
    In a blender container, combine cucumbers, water and salt. Cover and puree until smooth. (If you want it perfectly smooth, pour mixture through a sieve , but this is not essential.)
  2. 2
    Wash mint and basil, and remove any heavy stems. Add herbs to the blender with the cucumbers, plop in the ice cubes, and blend until slushy.
  3. 3
    Stir in lime juice, and sweeten to taste with agave nectar or sugar syrup.
  4. 4
    For a pretty presentation, add a cucumber spear to each glass when serving the drinks.
  5. 5
    *To make sugar syrup, 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. Syrup can be used to sweeten a variety of different drinks.

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