Fresh Fruit and Herb Sparkling Water Recipe

Become a mixologist by blending any combination of fruit — sweet or sour — to create refreshing aguas frescas de frutas (meaning "fresh fruit water" in Spanish). Popular in many Latin American and Caribbean regions, these fruit drinks are made from pureed fruit and a splash of sparkling water or wine that adds the "fizz." Sipping an agua fresca is a nourishing, vitamin C-rich, low-calorie alternative to store-bought fruit drinks.

Alter this recipe with fruit that is less common to you — guava, mango, papaya or passion fruit — or use more common types — berries, lemon, lime, oranges, peaches or pineapple. You can involve kids, too. Let them mix and match to create their own recipe.

Ingredients

8 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled, or other berries
1 cup cubed ripe melon (cantaloupe, Crenshaw, honeydew, watermelon)
2 cups ice cold water
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or mint leaves
2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste (optional)*
Ice cubes
8 ounces club soda, tonic water or sparkling wine
Lemon slices, for garnish
Basil or mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Before you begin: Wash your hands.

1. Combine strawberries, melon, water and basil or mint in a blender. Whirl to liquefy. Allow mixture to sit for 5 minutes to allow basil or mint to infuse fruit puree with flavor.
2. Pour into a 1-quart pitcher. Add lemon juice and sugar, as desired. (If sugar is added, stir to dissolve.)
3. To serve, put ice into four glasses. Pour fruit mixture over ice. Add 2 ounces tonic water, club soda or sparkling wine to each. Garnish each glass with lemon slices and basil or mint.
4. Serve immediately. Pureed fruit may settle.

Cooking Note

*Sweeten to taste if desired, depending on sweetness of fresh fruit.

Nutrition Information

Serves 4

Calories: 35; Calories from fat: 0; Total fat: 0g; Saturated fat: 0g; Trans fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium 20mg; Total carbohydrate: 9g; Dietary fiber: 2g; Sugars: 6g; Protein: 1g