Xanthan Gum Free Orange Cinnamon Agua Fresca
Bright, citrusy, and lightly spiced, this refreshing drink is everything you want on a warm afternoon — and it comes together with nothing more than whole oranges, a cinnamon stick, maple syrup, and a blender. The clever trick here is simmering the cinnamon stick into a quick tea first, which coaxes out a deep, warming fragrance that weaves beautifully through the fresh orange flavor without overpowering it. Everything gets blended smooth and then strained through a fine-mesh sieve, so the final pour is clean, silky, and completely free of any thickeners or additives. That matters a lot when you're navigating labels, because so many packaged drinks and flavored beverages sneak in stabilizers that can be hard to spot. Here, every ingredient is exactly what it sounds like — no fillers, no gums, no surprises. Served over ice with a fresh orange wedge, it looks stunning and tastes like something you'd order at a nice café, but it's genuinely simple to make at home.
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Learn more →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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