Pineapple Basil Agua Fresca (Printable)

A bright, refreshing blend of pineapple, basil, and lime that’s perfect for warm days.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Combine the chopped pineapple, basil leaves, lime juice, and sweetener in a blender. Add 2 cups of cold 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 liquid.
03 - Stir in the remaining 1 cup of cold water. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
04 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes if time allows, or serve immediately over ice.
05 - Pour into glasses and garnish each serving with pineapple wedges, fresh basil sprigs, and lime slices if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes flat and requires nothing more than a blender and a sieve, making it perfect for spontaneous entertaining.
  • The basil does something magical here—it's not overpowering, just this whisper of green that makes the pineapple taste even more like itself.
  • One batch serves four generously, and it keeps for days in the fridge, so you can make it once and drink it guilt-free all week.
02 -
  • Strain this drink even if you think you won't mind the pulp—the texture changes everything, and straining makes it taste infinitely more sophisticated and refreshing.
  • The basil will begin to lose its brightness if you blend it more than a minute, so err on the side of under-blending rather than over.
03 -
  • If your pineapple smells faintly fermented or your basil smells musky, buy new ones—stale ingredients will make this taste flat rather than vibrant.
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for five minutes before pouring if you want that luxury resort feeling without leaving home.
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