Honey Free Raspberry Lemon Agua Fresca

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.5

(21)

Tart raspberries, bright citrus, and a gentle fizz make this agua fresca one of those drinks that feels instantly refreshing the moment it hits the glass. The sweetness here comes entirely from maple syrup, which blends beautifully into the warm raspberry base and means there's no bee-derived ingredient anywhere in the recipe. Cooking the raspberries down with the syrup and water creates a deeply flavored, jewel-toned concentrate that tastes far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. A double hit of lemon — both juice and zest — keeps everything lively and bright rather than cloying. Once the base is strained and cooled, you just pour in cold sparkling water and let the carbonation do its thing. Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice and it looks like something you'd pay too much for at a fancy café. It's the kind of drink that disappears fast, so consider doubling the batch.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

2 cups fresh raspberries
½ cup water
4 tbsp maple syrup
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
1 tsp lemon zest
3 cups cold sparkling water

For serving

ice, for serving
fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
lemon slices, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the raspberries, water, and maple syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and pressing the raspberries against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the berries have completely broken down and the mixture is deep red and steaming, about 4–5 minutes.
2
Pour the raspberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a pitcher, pressing firmly on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the seeds and pulp left in the strainer.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!