Aguas frescas–cool, refreshing drinks typically made from fruits, grains and/or herbs mixed with sugar and water–are a specialty of Mexico, where they counter the heat of both the noonday sun and chili-laced cuisine.
Recipe courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup superfine sugar
- 22 raspberries
- 22 fresh mint leaves, plus 4 springs for garnish
- Ice cubes as needed
Preparation
- 1 Select 4 tumblers. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove the sugar syrup from the heat and let cool.
- 2 In a blender, combine 18 of the raspberries, the mint leaves and the sugar syrup and process until a smooth puree forms. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. You should have about 2/3 cup. Add 1 1/3 cups water.
- 3 Fill the glasses with ice and divide the raspberry mixture among the glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs and the remaining raspberries speared on a cocktail pick. Serve immediately
