Artificial Food Coloring Free Strawberry Basil Agua Fresca
Fresh strawberries, bright lime juice, and fragrant basil come together in a blender to create a drink that tastes like summer in a glass. Unlike store-bought fruit drinks and flavored waters that often rely on synthetic dyes to achieve that vivid pink-red color, this agua fresca gets its gorgeous hue entirely from real strawberries — no artificial anything required. Maple syrup steps in as a gentle, natural sweetener, and a pinch of salt quietly amplifies every other flavor in the pitcher. The blending and straining process is simple and satisfying, leaving you with a silky, jewel-toned drink that looks almost too pretty to pour. A quick chill in the fridge lets the basil and lime fully bloom into the strawberry base, so patience pays off here. Serve it over ice with a few basil sprigs and lime slices for a drink that feels genuinely special without a single drop of artificial color touching the glass.
About FigFig 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
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 3 cups cold water
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 8 large fresh basil leaves
- ⅛ tsp fine salt
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lime slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh basil sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the strawberries, water, maple syrup, lime juice, basil leaves, and salt 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 gently on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, then discard the solids.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!