Strawberry Agua Fresca

There's something magical that happens when the days get longer, the nights get warmer, and the trees and plants start to bloom.  Its like all the sharp edges of life have been filed away.
Gone are the early morning rushes to get my big girl to the bus, gone are the endless layers we all have to dress in, gone are the wind chills, the cold rains, the snow and sleet and the dark at 4 o'clock.
They have been replaced with sleep ins, picnics in the park, and little girls in tutu bathing suits with chattering teeth and goose-bumpy skin that's been chilled by endless runs though the sprinkler.

No longer are we trapped in the house for hours playing with toys or staring at screens, instead we can head out into nature and the great outdoors, a walk, a trip to the park, a game of tag in the backyard, my kids thrive in the sunshine, and as the warm weather continues they are turning bronzer and happier. I know the feeling because I share it myself.

One of my favorite summer activities is taking my daughters, and now my son, strawberry picking.  We are lucky enough to live almost skipping distance from an amazing farm, that offers berry picking, tractor rides, and a fabulous slide, among other things.  We try to get there as often as we can during the warm, and even warmish weather, and I was overjoyed a few days ago to see that the strawberries were ready for picking.

I always joke, or at least half joke, that the farm workers should weigh my kids on the way in and on the way out.  I swear they must eat at least twice as much as they put in the basket.  I cant help but giggle as they try to act innocent, but their strawberry covered faces always give them away.



Although the majority of what we pick gets eaten either on the way home, or within minutes of our arrival, this time I was able to salvage a few berries to make one of my favorite summer treats, Strawberry Agua Fresca. Agua fresca is a treat that I had for the very first time in mexico, its a sweet fruit flavored water that is so refreshing and delicious  I was delighted when I got home and discovered how simple it was to make.

I have made many different types of agua fresca, watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi-mango, but the classic strawberry is my favorite!

Strawberry Agua Fresca

1 lb strawberries hulled and cut in half
3 cups water
juice from two limes
1/4 cup sugar
ice

Toss the strawberries, limes, water and sugar into a bender and blend until smooth.  pour mixture though a strainer twice.  Taste test to see if you need more sugar or lime and serve over ice

It really is that easy.
Enjoy.

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