Recipe: Vanilla Nectarine Agua Fresca

Michaela Cisney
Michaela Cisney
Michaela is a recipe developer for The Kitchn. She spent her childhood pulling carrots and hunting wild strawberries on a sustainable farm, actually believes that fresh food is the best medicine, and drinks more tea than is proper. She also writes here.
published Jun 17, 2014
summer
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(Image credit: Michaela Cisney)

I have two goals on hot summer days: stay hydrated and eat as much fruit as I can. Agua frescas are the perfect solution to both goals. Lately I’ve been whipping up these fruit juice blends every week, and so far, this vanilla nectarine version has to be my favorite. It’s the drink-child of fresh peach ice cream and takes about two minutes to make.

(Image credit: Michaela Cisney)

Agua frescas, literally translating as “fresh waters” from Spanish, are summer drinks popular in street-side stands throughout Central and South America. Traditionally, they are made by blending fresh fruit or seed purée with water, sugar, and sometimes lime, lemon, or herbs.

Most agua frescas are then strained to make a more juice-like, translucent beverage, but some vendors like to include the pulp for a thicker version. This agua fresca can be strained entirely, partly, or not at all. When I make it, I like to add a few extra pieces of nectarine and pulse the blender a few times to make a light and frothy agua fresca studded with bits of whole nectarine.

Vanilla Nectarine Agua Fresca

Serves 2

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 3

    nectarines, rinsed and sliced (about 3 cups)

  • 2 cups

    cold water

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon

    sugar

  • Ice (optional)

Instructions

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  1. Combine the nectarines and 1 cup of water in a blender. Purée on high speed until smooth. Strain, if desired, and return the juice to the blender. Add the vanilla extract, sugar, and remaining water, and blend. Serve chilled or over ice.

Recipe Notes

Agua frescas are traditionally non-alcoholic, but no one will judge if you add a dash or two of bourbon to this one.