Nitrate & Nitrite Free Cranberry Orange Agua Fresca
Tart cranberries, bright citrus, and a touch of maple syrup come together in this refreshing agua fresca that tastes like something you'd pay too much for at a fancy café. It's the kind of drink that looks stunning in a pitcher — especially with a few orange slices or fresh cranberries floating on top. For anyone navigating processed beverages and their surprisingly long ingredient lists, this one is a breath of fresh air: every ingredient here is whole, simple, and exactly what it says it is. Fresh orange juice, lime juice, and real maple syrup do all the heavy lifting, so there's no need to second-guess what's in your glass. Blending and straining the cranberries gives the drink a beautifully smooth, jewel-toned finish without any of the additives you'd find in store-bought cranberry cocktails. It comes together quickly and chills fast, making it an easy go-to for everything from weekday hydration to a crowd-pleasing party pitcher.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- 3 cups cold water, divided
- 4 tbsp maple syrup, or more to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ¼ tsp fine salt
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- orange slices or fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, lime juice, salt, and 1 cup of the cold water in a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 45 seconds.
- 2
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Pour the blended mixture through the strainer, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon until only dry pulp remains. Discard the solids.
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