Pineapple Basil Agua Fresca (Printable version)

Sweet pineapple, aromatic basil, and lime combine for a fresh, hydrating drink ideal for spring and summer.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fruits & Herbs

01 - 1 medium ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 4 cups)
02 - 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
03 - 1 lime, juiced

→ Sweetener

04 - 2 to 3 tablespoons agave syrup or honey, to taste

→ Liquid

05 - 3 cups cold water

→ Garnish

06 - Pineapple wedges
07 - Fresh basil sprigs
08 - Lime slices
09 - Ice cubes

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine the chopped pineapple, basil leaves, lime juice, and sweetener in a blender. Add 2 cups of water and blend on high speed until completely smooth.
02 - Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large pitcher to remove pulp, pressing firmly to extract all the liquid.
03 - Stir in the remaining 1 cup of cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
04 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes if time allows, or serve immediately over ice.
05 - Garnish each glass with pineapple wedges, fresh basil sprigs, and lime slices if desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 10 minutes with minimal effort
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free, welcoming to many dietary preferences
  • Uses simple, whole ingredients you can pronounce
  • Perfectly balanced sweet, tart, and herbal flavors
  • Impressive presentation that looks like it came from a café
  • Easily customizable to your taste preferences
02 -
  • Freeze leftover agua fresca in ice cube trays to add to future batches without diluting
  • Save the strained pineapple-basil pulp to mix into smoothies or freeze for later use
  • Blend in a small handful of spinach for added nutrients without affecting the flavor
  • For meal prep, blend and strain ahead, then add the final cup of water just before serving
  • Use the back of a ladle to press the pulp against the sieve for maximum juice extraction
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