Strawberry Agua Fresca, Coconut, Bay Leaf Recipe

Steep coconut and bay

Place the shredded coconut and dried bay leaves in a heatproof jar or small bowl. Pour 1 cup of just-boiled water over them, stir, and cover. Let steep for 20 minutes at room temperature to extract coconut and bay aroma.

Strain infusion

After 20 minutes, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a measuring cup, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. You should have about 1 cup of coconut-bay infusion. Chill briefly or use at room temperature.

Make strawberry purée

In a blender, combine the hulled and quartered strawberries and 1 cup of cold water. Blend on high until smooth, about 30–45 seconds.

Dissolve sugar and salt

In a small saucepan or microwave-safe container, combine the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of the cold water (from the measured 4 cups). Warm gently until the sugar dissolves completely, about 1–2 minutes on low heat or 30–45 seconds in the microwave. Stir in the fine sea salt until dissolved. Allow to cool slightly.

Combine purée, infusion and sweetener

Pour the strawberry purée through a fine mesh sieve into a large pitcher to remove seeds and coarse pulp, using a spoon to press solids and extract juice. Discard solids. Add the remaining cold water (2.5 cups), the cooled sugar-salt syrup, the coconut-bay infusion (about 1 cup), and the fresh lime juice to the pitcher. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Adjust sweetness and chill

Taste the agua fresca and adjust sweetness or acidity: add up to 2 tablespoons more sugar syrup or 1–2 tablespoons more lime juice as preferred. Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and chill.

Prepare glasses

Fill serving glasses halfway with ice cubes. If using, place a lime wheel or a few mint/basil leaves in each glass.

Serve

Stir the chilled strawberry-coconut agua fresca and pour into glasses over ice. Garnish each glass with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes and a basil or mint leaf if desired. Serve immediately.

Make ahead and store

Store any unused agua fresca in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Stir before serving; add fresh ice when ready to serve because diluted ice will reduce intensity.