Why is it that the most bodacious, face-meltingly amazing drinks are often found far away from home? What is up with that?
Maybe it's the high of experiencing new flavors in a new place. Or tasting vibrant, in-season fruits and herbs, freshly plucked and prepared in the context of their native growing places. Or, you know, maybe it's just cooler being somewhere else for a minute (the grass is always greener, and apparently, so are the drinks).
This agua fresca recipe is a perfect example of next-level summer drink perfection, Big Heart Tea Co. style. With organic chamomile, lemongrass, and spearmint.
Inspired by the beach-meets-jungle dreamscape of Tulum, versions of this bright and verdant juice of cucumber, lime, and chia seeds can seemingly be found at every turn. For our version, we added some freshly cold-brewed Chamomile Mint, giving the drink a refreshingly minty, lightly herbal lift with just a touch of sweetness.
Yeah. We know. Where has this been all our lives?
Cucumber Chami Agua Fresca
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
-
3 heaping teaspoons Big Heart Tea Co. Chamomile Mint
-
4 cups chopped cucumber (we like Persian cucumbers, but any kind will work)
-
1/2 a lime
-
1/4 cup sugar
-
6 cups water, divided
-
chia seeds (optional)
- fresh mint or basil for garnish (optional, but sooooo recommended!)
Heat 3 cups of water to 185 and steep Chamomile Mint for 2 minutes (or, you know, you can cold brew this champ ahead of time!). Set aside to cool. As tea is cooling, combine chopped cucumber, sugar, and remaining 3 cups of water in a blender. Squeeze in the juice from the lime and blend well until smooth.
Now, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, cloth coffee sock, or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze or press as much juice from the pulp as you can (this part can take a few minutes, so be patient!). When you've gotten all the juice out, add the brewed Chamomile Mint and stir well.
Bam! You've got a cooling, herbal-boosted agua fresca, baby. Just pour over ice and serve! We love to stir in some chia seeds at the end for some fun texture, but you can skip this if you don't dig it. You can also add a little sprig of fresh mint or basil to garnish, if you're feeling fancy.
Enjoy!
