Spring is here and taste buds are beginning to crave fresh fruits and veggies. I have always found it easier to exercise and eat right in the warm weather. I rarely crave sweets and comfort foods in the spring and summer months. What I do crave is drinking something more than water. This is an area we have to be careful in because so many hidden calories and sugar exist in our glasses of fun drinks. My favorite warm weather drink is ice tea. I normally can control the amount of sugar as I make my own. I also add in lemon and honey to give it flavor with less sugar. Yet, even the refreshing taste of cool ice tea can get boring. What else is there? Have you ever tried agua fresca recipes?
What is Fresca?
I am not talking about the lemon lime soda made by Coca Cola. You do not want to drink a glassful of high fructose corn syrup or fake sugar. Not healthy and not quenching to your thirst. Agua fresco is a drink originated in Latin America made from water, fruit, a bit of sweetener if needed, and even edible flowers. They are very easy to make and quite refreshing. In addition, this is a very inexpensive drink to make.
Recipe:
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Found on All Recipes by SB HERE
4 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar, or to taste
4 slices lime
24 fresh mint leaves
ice
Puree the watermelon and water in a blender until smooth. Add sugar to taste. Cut the lime slices in half. Place a half lime slice into each of 8 glasses along with 3 mint leaves. Crush with a cocktail muddler, then fill each glass with ice. Pour in the watermelon agua fresca, and stir before serving.
You can use strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, guava or a combination! Have fun!