If you’re looking for a refreshing drink to cool down on a hot day, look no further than Hibiscus & Blueberry Agua Fresca. This drink has a sweet and tart flavor, and it smells fruity and floral. It’s easy to make.
THIS RECIPE IS SPONSORED BY DRISCOLL’S
Hey greedy! It’s hot in Dallas, and I’m just over here reminiscing my old summer’s in San Diego. Soaking up sunny days and cool breezes while walking through the farmer’s market was my favorite weekend activity. And whenever I went, I had to get an agua fresca and a mango on a stick.
All that reminiscing got me craving a cup of the refreshing juice, so I made this Hisbiscus & Blueberry Agua Fresca using ingredients I already had at home. What’s great about this recipe is that most fruit can be substituted one for one. So use what you have!
Looking for more ways to put those fresh berries to use? Try these recipes —->>>> Very Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Hibiscus Slushie, Blackberry Naked Cake, No Batter Blackberry Stuffed Waffles
What Is Agua Fresca?
Agua Fresca, which translates to “fresh water” in Spanish, is a drink made from fruits, vegetables, or flowers diluted in water. It’s usually served cold and can be enjoyed as a beverage or used as a mixer. Aguas Frescas are popular in Mexico and Central America, where they are sold by street vendors.
Hibiscus Agua Fresca is one of my favorite varieties, but for this recipe, I added blueberry for a more fruity flavor. The bright red hibiscus flowers give the drink a beautiful color, and the blueberries add a delicious sweetness and tartness. This drink is refreshing, flavorful, and perfect for a hot day. It’s easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
Key Ingredients
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make this hibiscus & blueberry agua fresca recipe.
- Hibiscus Leaves: The tart flavor of hibiscus leaves are similar to pomegranate or cranberry and pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the blueberries. Not to mention they add a gorgeous pink color!
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime brightens up the drink and enhances the delicious flavors. You can swap for lemon juice if needed.
- Fresh Blueberries: Fresh blueberries serve as the star of the show here and are especially delicious in the summertime when they’re in season. If you want to make this agua fresca recipe during another time of year, you can swap them for frozen blueberries.
- Agave Syrup: While I prefer to use agave, feel free to use the sweetener of your choice. Honey and maple syrup would both work as well, but keep in mind they would slightly alter the flavor profile of the drink. I don’t recommend using a granular sweetener like coconut sugar, as it wouldn’t dissolve well in a cold drink.
- Water: You can use filtered water or plain tap water to put the “agua” in this agua fresca recipe.
Hibiscus & Blueberry Agua Fresca Recipe
To make this refreshing agua fresca, all you have to do is follow the easy steps below.
Step 1: Steep Hibiscus Leaves
In a small saucepan, combine the dried hibiscus with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and steep for 10 minutes covered. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the hot liquid from the hibiscus leaves and let it cool.
Step 2: Make Blueberry Mixture
Add the blueberries to a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds. Pour blueberries through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
Step 3: Mix and Serve Agua Fresca
Mix in 3 cups of chilled water, lime juice, and agave, then stir well. Taste for sweetness and adjust as needed. Pour berry agua fresca into a glass with crushed ice and garnish with fresh blueberries and mint leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Agua Fresca Recipe Variations
Here are some of my favorite variations to try out if you’re looking to switch things up.
- Sparkling Blueberry Agua Fresca: To make a sparkling beverage, try replacing some of the regular water with sparkling water or club soda.
- Frozen Blueberry Agua Fresca: What’s better than smoothies on a hot summer day? Add your ingredients to a blender with ice and whip up a frozen version.
- Berry Agua Fresca Popsicles: You can transform this delicious drink into ultra-refreshing popsicles by freezing them in a popsicle mold. This is also a great way to preserve your leftovers.
- Switch up the flavors: Any fresh fruit would work great in an agua fresca recipe! Try using other berries like strawberries or a different type of fruit like peaches, watermelon, or mango.
Tip: To make the best agua fresca, start by using fresh fruit. If you can't find fresh blueberries, use frozen berries instead. You'll also need Hibiscus tea bags. Hibiscus tea is available at most grocery stores and pharmacies.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
While agua frescas are best enjoyed right away, you can store this refreshing drink in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you need to store leftovers for longer, you can freeze the drink in an ice cube tray. This works great so that next time you make a batch, you can keep it cold without watering it down.
Hibiscus & Blueberry Agua Fresca FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions about this berry agua fresca recipe:
Why is it called agua fresca?
Agua fresca is a Mexican drink translated from Spanish; it literally means “cool water.” The name is pretty on point, considering the recipe is a refreshing drink made from water and fresh, hydrating ingredients.
Is agua fresca good for you?
Yes! Not only is this drink incredibly hydrating from the water and fresh fruit, but it’s also loaded with beneficial nutrients that our bodies need to thrive.
More Refreshing Drink Recipes For Summer
Ingredients
- 5 cups water divided 2 cups room temp, 3 cups chilled
- 1 cup dried hibiscus leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 11 oz Driscolls Blueberries 1pack (reserve 12-14 berries for garnish)
- ⅔ – 1 cup agave or sweetener of choice
- ice crushed
Optional
- Mint for garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the dried hibiscus with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and steep for 10 minutes covered. Use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the hot liquid from the hibiscus leaves and let it cool.
- Add the blueberries to a blender and blend on high for 30 seconds. Pour blueberries through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher. Mix in 3 cups of chilled water, lime juice, and agave, and stir well. Taste for sweetness. Serve agua fresca in a glass with crushed ice and garnish with extra blueberries and mint.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
**The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products I use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
