Dairy Free Chilled Lemon Ginger Agua Fresca
Bright, zippy, and deeply refreshing, this agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever reached for a store-bought lemonade. Fresh ginger is gently simmered and steeped until the water turns fragrant and spicy, then blended with real lemon juice and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness that feels clean rather than cloying. A pinch of salt pulls everything together in a way that's subtle but surprisingly important. Since every ingredient here is plant-based and straightforwardly whole, there's nothing to second-guess — no hidden dairy, no mystery additives, just real food in a glass. It's naturally free of anything creamy or animal-derived, which makes it an effortless fit for anyone avoiding dairy without any substitutions required. Serve it over a big pile of ice with lemon slices and fresh mint for a presentation that looks far more impressive than the effort involved. Make a pitcher ahead of time and keep it in the fridge — it only gets better as it chills.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 cups cold water, divided
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- 4 tbsp maple syrup, or more to taste
- ⅛ tsp fine salt
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup of the water and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the water is fragrant and lightly golden.
- 2
Remove from the heat and let the ginger steep in the hot water for 20 minutes, until the liquid is deeply aromatic and noticeably spicy.
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