Coconut Lime Agua Fresca is the perfect way to cool off this summer!
It’s got just four simple ingredients. And, it’s refined sugar-free and paleo. Seriously, what’s not to love?
Food and Travel Make the Best Memories
Sometimes, the best recipes are inspired by epic travel experiences. The spicy som tam (green papaya salad) I obsessed about in Thailand. Savory nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) I ate on the beach in Bali. The weisswurst from a market stall in central Munich…
Just a few examples of foods that have etched a place firmly in my mind.
The inspiration for this coconut lime agua fresca comes from my recent trip to Loreto, a small town on the eastern side of Baja California Sur in Mexico.
Picture this: We had just spent the day snorkeling in the turquoise blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Do not adjust your screen. That’s the real color of the water just a short boat ride away from our hotel, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.
I visited in April, and got some much-needed R&R time along with Beth from Tasty Yummies and Kristen from Living Loving Paleo. (More on our uh-may-zing vacation in an upcoming post.)
We started the trip by encountering a mother and calf fin whale who swam around us in mirror-smooth water. Since we were already on the boat, we headed out for some reef snorkeling where rainbow-colored fish, sea stars, giant scallops, and puffers enveloped us. Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium”, and it’s easy to see why.
After spending the day out on the water, it’s easy to work up an appetite. We hopped the boat back to the small town of Loreto which is about a half hour drive from Villa del Palmar.
The colors of Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
The Inspiration For This Coconut Lime Agua Fresca
After strolling lazily around the town center, we had just one agenda: food. So, we ambled into Mi Loreto and ordered some refreshing drinks.
When they arrived at the table, Kristen and I had one of those, “Whoa!” moments. The glasses were absolutely massive.
A tasty, non-alcoholic combination of mineral water, coconut milk, sugar, and lime hit the spot perfectly. And we couldn’t stop talking about how much we loved it. You know, I can’t be sure if it was spending all day on the water, being thirsty, or the magic of the day, but it tasted extra special.
I’ve put my spin on it here in this Coconut Lime Agua Fresca.
What is Agua Fresca?
Agua fresca (“fresh water”) is a popular type of drink found in Mexico and in lots of places around the United States. They’re made from a variety of different ingredients from fruit to flowers to rice to seeds. I never had an agua fresca until I moved to Phoenix and tried horchata for the first time. So delish!
Since the ingredients can be quite sweet, water is often added to dilute them down. As a result, you’re left with a refreshing, cooling drink. Fresh water, indeed.
One of my favorite aguas frescas is horchata, a creamy blend made from rice with hints of cinnamon. Another is jamaica (“ha-mike-uh”), a ruby-colored, fruity drink made from soaking hibiscus flowers in water. And any kind of fresh summer produce like cucumber, watermelon, or strawberries makes a killer agua fresca perfect for the hottest day.
How To Make This Coconut Lime Agua Fresca
Making this coconut lime agua fresca is beyond easy. First, I warmed a small amount of full-fat coconut milk (get my cooking video for homemade) and added a little bit of honey, stirring until the honey dissolved. (Note: If you add honey to cold liquids, it’ll clump up and harden.)
I opted for raw, local honey but you could really use whatever sweetener you like. You could also use coconut sugar or even piloncillo, a type of Mexican unrefined brown sugar.
Next, I added fresh lime juice. This forms the concentrate for the coconut lime agua fresca.
Last, I loaded up my glasses with ice, added some of the concentrate, and topped it off with sparkling mineral water. The bubbles make everything get a little foamy on top which I love.
Sub Coconut Water for Better Hydration
With hot summer days upon us, remember that hydration matters now more than ever.
Easily adapt this recipe by swapping the sparkling mineral water for coconut water. Coconut water is a great source of potassium, an important electrolyte.
What it’s not a great source of is the electrolyte sodium. So if you’re going to make this Coconut Lime Agua Fresca to stay hydrated on a hot day, be sure to add a pinch of Celtic sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. (This is one I recommend.)
Watch the cooking show tutorial for this drink:
And be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel while you’re there.
Coconut Lime Agua Fresca (Paleo, Refined Sugar-Free)
Coconut Lime Agua Fresca is a refreshing way to stay cool this summer! This bubbly homemade drink is paleo and refined sugar-free...plus, it comes together with just four simple ingredients. Serve it over ice and enjoy some chill. Get the recipe!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut milk full-fat
- 1 tbsp honey raw
- 16 ounces sparkling mineral water
- 1 lime juiced
- 8 ice cubes
Instructions
Make the concentrate. In a small pot over medium heat, warm the coconut milk and honey, stirring until the honey is dissolved. You can refrigerate this for later or use right away.
Pour your coconut lime agua fresca. In a pint glass, add 3-4 cubes of ice. Pour half the coconut milk / honey concentrate in the glass. Top with about 8 ounces of sparkling water and the juice of half a lime. Stir to combine.
Repeat for the other glass and serve. Drink immediately for best results!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
You may want to add more honey or lime to suit your taste. Or, add a scoop of collagen peptides for a protein boost.
If using straws, please opt for metal straws or paper straws instead of plastic. Small changes do add up.
If you'd like to use coconut water, swap that in for the sparkling mineral water.
Did you like this Coconut Lime Agua Fresca recipe? Leave a rating and comment below!
Pin this Coconut Lime Agua Fresca for later!
2 Responses
Hi Steph
In the printable instructions, you’ve forgotten to include the step of adding lime 🙂
Hi Joanna…I tested the printable and I’m seeing it here: Pour your coconut lime agua fresca. In a pint glass, add 3-4 cubes of ice. Pour half the coconut milk / honey concentrate in the glass. Top with about 8 ounces of sparkling water and the juice of half a lime. Stir to combine.
Maybe it sort of blended into that step? If it’s missing that line on your device, I would recommend clearing your browser cache and restarting your phone/computer. That usually does the trick 🙂