strawberry cinnamon agua fresca

For the past two years I have been the primary cook, dishwasher and director of the kitchen. Nothing goes in or out without my knowledge. The pantry is stocked according to use, such as baking versus pasta versus grains versus kitchen pots, pans and appliances that do not fit in my limited cabinet space. The refrigerator’s shelves are stocked separately from dairy to condiments to wine and assorted alcohol to vegetables to cheeses and cold cut meats. It is all methodical and tidy. Everything has its designated place. And since I am accustomed to my way of doing things in my kitchen, I sometimes forget the secret weapon I have. This weapon will repeatedly taste, comment, applaud, recommend,  criticize positively, risk well-being (read: life), and threaten himself with weight gain to help me with my cooking endeavors. Josh is my secret weapon and I pass up his opinion often since I have already stamped the prepared dish with a pass or fail verdict.

However, I wanted to prepare a special drink for the Father’s Day gathering we had at our house. Something you don’t get to drink everyday. Something that said I love you Dad. Something that was refreshing yet not boozy, because no one in our house likes any form of alcohol…Hahahaha! (read: hahahaha!) I scrolled through my short list of drinks I want to make and decided to make an agua fresca. I used strawberries because they are just too good to pass up with the combination of vanilla. I threw in some lemon juice to cut through some of the sweetness and of course plenty of cold water. But something was off and I wasn’t sure what. It hit your palate with a definite strawberry flavor, yet it was finished by barely flavored water. It needed more depth of flavor. Something to boost the flavor of the strawberries yet not over take it. I stole sip after sip, adding more vanilla and more lemon, but they didn’t add anything.

Stumped, I gave Josh a sip and, without blinking, he said “Try cinnamon or mint.” Not having fresh mint on hand I added a tiny bit of cinnamon to his glass, laughing at such a ridiculous proposal. Cinnamon is a fall flavor. It reminds you of cool weather and colorful leaves. Of apple pie and cider. Of wassail and pumpkin pie. Not a cold fruity, strawberry drink. I tasted it and handed it to Josh. He tasted it and told me to add more. I added a little more, stirred it up, took a sip and handed it back. I was still laughing, not because cinnamon was such an absurd suggestion, but because it actually tasted spectacular. It added that extra dimension of flavor, yet didn’t scream Hey! I’m cinnamon. Or hey! I actually don’t belong here. I chuzzled it, not wanting to let my fathers, mothers or family members sip of the delicious strawberry cinnamon nectar. Nevertheless, there was plenty to go around and it was loved by all, especially my secret weapon husband who let everyone know it was his idea to add the cinnamon. Men…

Strawberry Cinnamon Agua Fresca

Makes 1 pitcher (2 quarts)

4 pounds strawberries, hulled and sliced, about 8 cups
6 cups ice-cold water, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
8 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
1/4 cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Note: I never measured the cinnamon I added. I estimated how much I put in, but taste as you go deciding if you like more or less cinnamon. You should be able to taste the cinnamon without knowing it is specifically cinnamon you are tasting. If you need more cinnamon, add a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired flavor – be careful, cinnamon is a strong flavor. You don’t want too much or it will over power the strawberry flavor.

In the bowl of a blender or food processor, add 2 cups sliced strawberries, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (doesn’t have to be exact, just scoop out a tablespoon and sprinkle half of it in).

Blend for 2 – 3 minutes. Mixture should be extra smooth. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheese cloth into a pitcher.

Repeat process until all the strawberries are gone (should be 3 more batches.) Add the last two remaining cups of water and stir. Taste for sweetness. Add additional sugar if needed, one tablespoon at a time. Stir until thoroughly mixed and taste again.

Chill for 2 hours. Serve.