Fresas con Crema (Mexican Strawberries and Cream)
Sweet strawberries steeped in lime syrup and folded through lightly sweet cream, a simple Mexican cafe classic.
Made with Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.10 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
Toss the strawberries with 100 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) and leave for 10 minutes to soften and release their juices.
10 min - 3
Whisk the single cream, soured cream, vanilla and lime zest together until smooth and slightly thickened.
- 4
Fold most of the strawberries and their juices through the cream.
- 5
Spoon into chilled bowls and top with the remaining strawberries. Serve cold.
Tips
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best flavour. Hull and quarter them so they soak up the syrup.
- Mexican crema is thinner and tangier than double cream. A mix of single cream and soured cream is a good UK swap.
- Chill the bowls for 10 minutes so the dessert stays cold.
- Add a little vanilla for extra flavour.
Storing and freezing
Eat on the day, or keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 day. Do not freeze.
Questions
What is crema?
Crema is a thin, lightly tangy Mexican cultured cream. Single cream mixed with a spoonful of soured cream is a reasonable UK substitute.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes. Use chilled coconut cream or a dairy free cream alternative whipped with a little vanilla. Check the label to ensure it is dairy free.
Can I use other fruit?
Peaches, mango and banana are popular too. Use a matching syrup if you have one.
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.