Agua de Chía con Limón (Chia and Lime Agua Fresca)
Chia seeds plumped in cold water with lime and fruity syrup: a lightly sweet, gently chewy Mexican cooler.
Made with Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.33 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) in advance and chill it.
- 2
Put the chia seeds in a large jug with 200 ml of the cold water. Whisk well and leave for 5 minutes, then whisk again.
5 min - 3
Add 150 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe), the lime juice and the remaining water.
- 4
Leave for 15 minutes until the seeds look plump and gel coated, stirring once or twice.
15 min - 5
Fill glasses with ice and lime slices, stir the jug well and pour.
Tips
- Stir the chia seeds well after adding them and again after 5 minutes, or they clump together.
- Let the seeds swell for at least 15 minutes. They should be soft with a gel-like coating.
- Use a wide straw or spoon to enjoy the seeds.
- Strawberry or pineapple syrup both taste good here.
Storing and freezing
Drink within 24 hours and keep covered in the fridge. The seeds keep swelling, so thin with water if it gets thick.
Questions
Is agua de chía traditional?
Yes. Chia seeds have been used in Mexican food and drink for centuries, and agua de chía or chía fresca is a popular drink in Mexico and the south western United States.
How many chia seeds do I need?
About 2 tablespoons for a litre of drink. More will make it too thick and gloopy.
Can I serve it warm?
It is meant to be served cold with ice. Chilling it first helps the seeds hold their texture.
More made with agua fresca syrup
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.