Agua frescas, the popular Mexican drink made from fresh fruit, herbs, and water, are deliciously refreshing on hot summer days. This vibrantly colored strawberry chipotle agua fresca takes the classic beverage up a notch with a slight kick of spice. Perfectly balancing sweet fruitiness and subtle smoky heat, it’s sure to be your new favorite summer sipper.
Why Try Berry Agua Fresca with Chipotle?
Chipotle pepper adds an intriguing smoky flavor and a bit of heat to the sweetness of the berries. The mix of spicy and fruity makes for an exciting and unexpectedly delicious combination that’s ideal for cooling off in the summer heat. This unique twist on a classic refresher promises all the hydration with a kick of spice you’ll love.
Berry agua fresca chipotle ingredients
Here are some typical ingredients used to make berry agua fresca chipotle:
2 cups fresh or frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
3-4 cups cold water
1/3 cup sugar, honey, or other sweetener, to taste
1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice
1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
Ice cubes
Lime wedges, for garnish
Fresh berries, for garnish
The ingredients can be adjusted based on your preferences for sweetness and spice levels. Feel free to use just one type of berry if you prefer. You can also add extra ingredients like mint leaves, ginger, or lemon juice. The key ingredients are fresh berries, water, a sweetener, lime, and chipotle pepper to give it that subtle smoky kick.
How To Make Berry Agua Fresca Chipotle Recipe
Step 1 – Blend the berries
Put the fresh or thawed frozen berries, water, sweetener, and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Step 2 – Strain the mixture
Pour the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large pitcher or bowl. Use a spoon to gently press on the solids and extract all the juice.
Step 3 – Add the chipotle pepper
Mince the chipotle pepper(s). Add to the strained berry juice and stir to incorporate. Taste and adjust sweetener or lime juice if desired.
Step 4 – Chill
Refrigerate juice mixture for at least two hours so flavors can develop.
Step 5 – Serve
Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour in chilled berry chipotle agua fresca. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh berries. Enjoy this refreshing summer drink!
The agua fresca will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Stir or shake before serving if separation occurs. Add more ice as needed.
Here is the nutrition information for a serving of Chipotle Berry Agua Fresca:
For 1 cup (8 fl oz serving):
Calories: 112kcal Carbohydrates: 28g Sugar: 23g Fiber: 4g Protein: 1g Vitamin C: 56% of the Daily Value
The nutrition facts can vary slightly depending on the specific types and amounts of fruit used, but a berry agua fresca will be high in natural sugars from the fruit as well as provide some fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Some of the key nutritional benefits of a Chipotle Berry Agua Fresca include:
High in vitamin C from the citrus juice and berries. This supports immune health.
Provides some fiber from the fruit and pulp which aids digestion.
Berry antioxidants help reduce inflammation and protect cells.
Hydrating due to the high water content. Helps prevent dehydration.
While the drink does have natural sugars, it is much healthier than drinking sodas or other sugar-sweetened beverages. The fruits make it nutritious and refreshing. Just be mindful of portion sizes as the calories and carbs can add up fast! Enjoy chipotle berry agua fresca as a tasty, nutrient-packed summer treat.
What Kind of Berries Work Best?
Fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are fantastic bases for berry agua frescas. Their natural sweetness allows the drink to have just enough sugar without becoming overly sweet. Strawberries offer the brightest color and flavor for chipotle berry agua fresca.
How Much Chipotle Pepper Should You Use?
Start with half a teaspoon of chopped chipotle pepper. Add more if you want extra heat or less for milder spice. The small amount adds smoky depth without overpowering the sweet berry flavor. Adjust to your preferred level of kick.
What Makes This Drink Better Than Store-bought?
Making your own chipotle berry agua fresca lets you control the sweetness level and spice. It also uses simple, real ingredients like fresh lime juice and has no artificial flavors or colors. Preparing it yourself allows customizing it just how you like. Plus, it’s fun to blend up!
Do You Need Special Equipment to Make It?
All you need is a blender! Simply blend fruit, water, sweetener, lime juice, and chipotle pepper then strain out solids. No fancy juicers, gadgets or equipment required. Pour into a pitcher and serve over ice for a gorgeous summer drink.
How Does Chipotle Berry Agua Fresca Differ from Lemonade or Iced Tea?
Unlike lemonade or iced tea that use juice or brewed tea, the base of agua fresca comes from pureeing fresh fruit. The fruit gets blended with cold water rather than being squeezed for juice. This gives it a pulpy, thicker texture full of fiber. It’s sweetened subtly, allowing the fruit flavors to shine.
What Fruits Make Good Agua Frescas?
Watermelon, strawberries, blackberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, mango and honeydew are all fantastic fruits for aguas frescas. Their high water content makes blending with water easy. And their vibrant colors look stunning in drinks! Combinations like strawberry banana, blackberry lime and mango peach are delicious.
How Do You Make a Strawberry Chipotle Agua Fresca?
Start by blending chopped strawberries with water, lime juice and sugar in a blender until smooth. Strain out pulp and stir in minced chipotle pepper. Chill before serving over ice and garnish with sliced strawberries and lime wedges. So simple to put together!
What Does Berry Agua Fresca Chipotle Recipe Taste Like?
Expect a sweet berry flavor upfront with a subtle smoky warmth and mild spice on the finish. The lime adds zesty brightness to balance out the sweetness. The vibrant magenta color is gorgeous, especially garnished with berries. It’s sweet yet refreshingly tart and satisfyingly sippable.
Is Agua Fresca Considered a Non-Alcoholic Beverage?
Yes, aguas frescas are non-alcoholic fruit and herb based drinks originating from Mexico. However, many people like to spike them with tequila or rum for boozy refreshers perfect for summer happy hours and parties! They make excellent margarita mixes.
Can You Make Agua Fresca with Frozen Fruit?
Frozen berries work wonderfully in aguas frescas! Simply thaw and blend the frozen fruit with the other ingredients. Or skip thawing first and use slightly less water to blend everything while still icy. This allows enjoying fresh-tasting drinks all year without relying only on seasonal fresh fruit.
What are Some Fun Serving Ideas for Agua Fresca?
Serve in tall glasses over lots of ice and garnish with lime and fresh berries
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for extra flair
Freeze into fruit ice pops for boozy or kid-friendly popsicles
Use as the base for fruit margaritas, daiquiris and sangrias
Mix with sparkling water for a fruit spritzer
Pour into ice cube trays with berries for pretty ice cubes
Can You Make Agua Fresca in Advance?
Yes! Agua fresca stores well in the fridge for 2-3 days. The flavors continue developing as it chills. Prepare a big batch ahead in a pitcher to have on hand for easy pouring all week. For parties, mix up pitchers the day before guests arrive. Top off with fresh ice as needed before serving.
Does Chipotle Restaurant Sell Agua Fresca?
While the popular Mexican food chain Chipotle doesn’t currently feature aguas frescas, they have great inspiration to make your own refreshers. Their fresh lime and peach flavors would make fantastic agua fresca combinations you could blend up at home. Some locations reportedly tested watermelon agua fresca in the summer months which was a hit.
In Summary
Vibrantly hued and perfectly balanced between sweet and subtly spicy, strawberry chipotle agua fresca promises the most refreshing sips under the summer sun. Blending berries, smoky heat, tart lime and fizzy water together creates a gorgeous drink bursting with flavor. Keeping a pitcher of this beautiful pink aqua fresca ready in the fridge ensures you’ve always got cold, fruity refreshment on hand when the temperature rises. Slightly sweet, pleasantly tart and with a little kick of chipotle, it’s a fun twist on the classic agua fresca.
