The Conversation
Agua fresca, which is Spanish for “fresh water,” is a combination of fruit, flowers, herbs or seeds, sweetened and blended with water to create a refreshing beverage. It’s kind of like lemonade, but significantly sexier. So go ahead, fish around your fruit bowl and blend up an agua fresca of your own! Here are 12 fresh and fruity recipes to get you on your way to fresca fabulousness.
1. Lazy Frescas: For a simple no-fuss recipe, check out this cheat sheet and simplify the process from start to sip. It even suggests using sparkling water for a fizzier agua fresca! (via Babble)
2. Watermelon Lime: Watermelon is the perfect base because it’s sweet and also has a super high water content. Liven it up with a squeeze of lime and you’ve got yourself a perfect pick-me-up! (via Lauren Conrad)
3. Papaya Lime: Juicy melons and blackberries are married together for a refreshing drink that’s as delicious as it looks. (via The View From Great Island)
4. Jalapeño Watermelon: The perfect complement to a creamy guacamole, this spicy take on a traditional agua fresca is sure to add some zing to any occasion. (via The Pig and Quill)
5. Blueberry Mint: Fit for a queen, this recipe features summer berries and fresh mint — with optional edible flowers. (via Family Fresh Cooking)
6. Mango Ginger: If you can find a ripe mango, or have time to let one ripen, chop it up and sip away. (via Garnish with Lemon)
7. Vanilla Nectarine: Why wrap summer’s freshest produce in a pie crust when you can enjoy it in a glass? This fresh nectarine agua fresca adds a splash of vanilla for an indulgent taste with no guilt! (via The Kitchn)
8. Agua Fresca Popsicles: The only thing more delightful than sipping an agua fresca is enjoying it as a light and summery popsicle! Try these variations with watermelon and cantaloupe for a fast and easy frozen fix. (via Little Inspiration)
9. Coconut Guava: This creamy twist on agua fresca combines tropical flavors like coconut and guava to transport you to an island of pure beverage bliss. (via Honestly Yum)
10. Watermelon Basil: This pick gets a special bite of freshness from summer basil — perfect for friends and foodies alike. (via The Kitchn)
11. Cantaloupe: Try this recipe, which calls for juicy cantaloupe and fresh mint, for a unique summer treat. We think it’d be the perfect mate for some tasty tacos. (via The Little Epicurean)
12. Watermelon Agua Fresca Mimosa: This recipe guru did what we were all thinking all along… she spiked her fresca with some champagne to make it a mimosa! Genius.
Thirsty yet? Try out these combinations, or mix up your own, and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Chelsea is a 20-something lady who spends the better part of her waking hours thinking about food. Favorite things include yoga, spicy food and nature walks. Find her (mostly) healthy (mostly) vegan recipes at Eat With Chelsea.
More From Recipes
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.
Keep Reading
Show less