Chia & mint lemonade recipe

Agua fresca literally means ‘fresh water’. This is a popular Mexican drink made from different kinds of fresh fruit and is often served at the markets in ‘vitroleros’, huge see-through glass barrels filled with different agua fresca flavours. A jug-full in the centre of your barbecue or taco party will add life to the table. It’s refreshing and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
 

AGUA FRESCA DE LIMÓN
Chia & Mint Lemonade
Recipe extract from La Latina

Prepare: 5 minutes
Serves: 4

2 lemons, juiced
1 lemon, cut into thin rounds
1 ½ litres water
simple syrup (see below), to taste
1 tsp chia seeds
1 whole sprig mint

Place lemon juice, lemon rounds and water in a jug. Mix in simple syrup, to taste. Top with chia seeds and mint sprig.

Chef’s note: You can use lime in this instead of lemon if you prefer.
 

SIMPLE SYRUP

I like to make this simple syrup in large batches and keep it in the fridge for making cocktails or lemonades. It can easily be doubled for a larger batch.

2 cups sugar
2 cups water

Prepare: 5 minutes
Makes: 2 cups

Put sugar in a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir for a minute or two until sugar dissolves. Take off the heat and cool to room temperature. Store in a very clean jar; any solid particles may cause crystals to form. Refrigerate, tightly covered, for up to a month.