Strawberry Fresca

This strawberry fresca is a refreshing, simple, summery blended beverage. All you need is a blender, strawberries, lime, water, and a couple optional ingredients!

Are you surprised to hear that I, a dietitian, am a fan of agua frescas!?

I love that you use the whole fruit, which retains more fiber and nutrients compared to juicing process.

Agua frescas are also incredibly hydrating and delicious. And especially if you don't like them crazy sweet, they can be low in added sugar - or have none at all!

So is this Strawberry Fresca Healthy?

"Healthy" is really subjective and not universal by any means. What feels healthy for one person may not for another. But in general, this strawberry agua fresca (and truly anything) can fit into a healthy, balanced diet - all foods fit!

From a nutrition perspective, strawberries are quite nutrient-dense. They are:

• Hydrating
• High in fiber
• Lower glycemic index
• Loaded with micronutrients - vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium
• Rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants, and other phytonutrient compounds.

How to Make a Strawberry Fresca:

Ingredients:

• Strawberries: you can use fresh or frozen
• Lime Juice: fresh works, or even bottled - whatever is most accessible for you.
• Water: whatever kind you drink!
• Optional Sweetener: if you prefer a sweeter agua fresca, sweeten to taste! (See below!)
• Optional Flavor Boosters: add a little extra flavor with ingredients like fresh mint, basil, or fresh ginger!

Recipe Instructions:

Simply combine all ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend for a minute, or until all ingredients are evenly combined.

Recipe Tips, Tricks, & Substitutions:

Fresh or Frozen?

Did you know that nutritionally there is very little difference between fresh and frozen strawberries? Actually, sometimes frozen strawberries can be more nutrient-dense!

When strawberries are frozen, they are picked at peak ripeness and flash-frozen within hours, locking in all the nutrients.

If you use frozen berries, this fresca gets a bit icier and colder, but you can use thawed berries, if you prefer. Truly, just use whatever type of strawberry is affordable and accessible to you.

Flavor Boosters

Adding new and different flavors is such a fun way to get creative and get more enjoyment and satisfaction out of your meals and drinks!

Fresh mint and fresh basil are often used in agua frescas, and for good reason! They enhance how refreshing the beverage is! And both of these herbs pair beautifully with strawberries, too.

But pro tip? Don't sleep on fresh ginger! It pairs so beautifully with this strawberry fresca, adding a bright zest that pairs well with the other sweet and subtle citrus notes. 10/10 recommend!

Make it Sweeter

Like a sweeter fresca? That's fine - sweeten to your preference! Traditional agua fresca recipes use cane sugar. You can also use coconut sugar, honey, or agave syrup. I don't recommend maple syrup (it changes the flavor too much!).

Prefer it sweeter but don't want to actually add sugar? Use your preferred non-nutritive sweetener, like stevia or monk fruit. I personally love allulose!

Separation is Normal

Quick note that if you see some separation occurring in your fresca, that's totally normal. Especially because there are no additives or emulsifiers, the strawberry agua fresca can separate some. Just give it a shake or a stir!

What to Serve with a Strawberry Fresca

Enjoy these frescas on their own for some mid-day refreshment!

They're also a fun non-alcoholic beverage for parties and events like bridal and baby showers.

Throwing a Cinco de Mayo party? 100% recommend these (or any of my other agua fresca recipes!), alongside any of the delicious dishes in this Cinco de Mayo recipe round up, or favorites like, Adobo Lime Portobello Tacos, Taco Stuffed Peppers, Baked Chicken Tacos, 3-Ingredient Black Bean Soup, or even some Air Fryer Tortilla Chips and Easy Guacamole!

More Agua Frescas Recipes You'll Love

• Cantaloupe Basil Agua Fresca
• Grape Agua Fresca
• Mango Agua Fresca
• Watermelon Agua Fresca
• Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca

Or learn how to create your own with my tutorial here: How to Make Agua Fresca

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more healthy recipes and tips to create your own balanced relationship with food and health, be sure to follow Nutrition to Fit on Instagram!