Sesame Free Orange Cinnamon Agua Fresca

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.7

(22)

Bright, citrusy, and lightly spiced, this agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting somewhere warm and unhurried. Fresh navel oranges are blended with a homemade cinnamon tea — just a simmered cinnamon stick and water — which gives the whole thing a subtle warmth that bottled juice simply can't replicate. A touch of maple syrup and a pinch of salt round out the flavor beautifully, balancing the natural sweetness of the oranges without tipping into sugary territory. The mixture gets strained through a fine-mesh sieve, so what ends up in your glass is silky smooth and completely refreshing. Store-bought flavored drinks can be a minefield of hidden additives, but every single ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify. It comes together with minimal effort and no special equipment beyond a blender and a strainer, making it an effortless crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Serve it over plenty of ice with an orange wedge on the rim and watch it disappear fast.

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Ingredients

4 servings

1 cinnamon stick
4 large navel oranges, peeled and segmented (about 3 cups flesh)
2 cups cold water
2 tbsp maple syrup
¼ tsp fine salt

For the cinnamon tea

1 cup water, for the cinnamon tea

For serving

ice, for serving
orange slices or wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the cinnamon stick and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the water is lightly amber and fragrant. Remove from heat and let the cinnamon tea cool for 15 minutes, then discard the cinnamon stick.
2
Add the orange segments, cooled cinnamon tea, 2 cups cold water, maple syrup, and salt to a blender. Blend on high for 30–45 seconds, until completely smooth.

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