Sesame Free Raspberry Lemon Agua Fresca

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.5

(21)

Bright, bubbly, and almost too pretty to drink, this raspberry lemon agua fresca is the kind of refreshment that makes any afternoon feel like a special occasion. Fresh raspberries are gently cooked down with maple syrup until they release a gorgeous, jewel-toned syrup, which gets strained smooth before a generous hit of lemon juice and zest brings everything into sharp, citrusy focus. The whole thing is finished with cold sparkling water for a fizzy lift that feels festive without any fuss. Unlike store-bought flavored drinks that can hide surprising additives, every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify — no hidden sauces, pastes, or blends to second-guess. Served over ice with a sprig of fresh mint and a few lemon slices, it looks stunning on a table and tastes even better than it looks. It's naturally sweet, naturally vibrant, and completely free of anything that doesn't belong in your glass.

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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.

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