Xanthan Gum Free Cranberry Orange Agua Fresca
Tart cranberries, bright citrus, and a touch of maple syrup come together in this refreshing agua fresca that feels like something you'd order at a sunny outdoor café. The whole thing is blended and strained, so you get a beautifully smooth, jewel-toned drink without any thickeners or additives — just real fruit and a handful of pantry staples. That makes it a natural fit for anyone avoiding xanthan gum, since there's genuinely nothing here that needs it. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt round out the flavor in a way that's subtle but surprisingly important — don't skip them. The straining step is quick and worth it, giving you a silky, pulp-free sip every time. Serve it over ice with a few cranberries or an orange slice floating on top and it looks almost too pretty to drink. Make a big batch ahead of time and keep it chilled — it's the kind of drink that disappears fast.
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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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