Nightshade Free Chilled Lemon Ginger Agua Fresca
Bright, zippy, and endlessly refreshing, this agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting somewhere sunny even on an ordinary afternoon. Fresh ginger is simmered and steeped until the water turns deeply aromatic and pleasantly spicy, then blended with real lemon juice and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness. The result is a clean, vibrant sip that's miles better than anything bottled. Nightshade-free eating can sometimes feel limiting when it comes to flavored drinks and store-bought options that sneak in unexpected ingredients, but every single component here is straightforward and easy to verify. The maple syrup lets you dial the sweetness up or down to your exact preference, and the pinch of salt quietly ties all the flavors together in a way that's surprisingly satisfying. Poured over ice with a few mint sprigs, it looks as good as it tastes — genuinely impressive for something this simple to pull off.
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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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