Chia Fresca
May 19, 2013
In my readings about the health benefits of chia seeds, I've run across some pretty good looking recipes. Here's one I want to share with you.
I'm not saying it's outstanding or anything, but I'm on my second one.
Here, I want you to make one...
Easy peasy, simple ingredients that pack a nutritional whallop. There are innumerable chia drink recipes available, but this one seemed to hit it for me.
Soak 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 1/2 cup of water overnight. You'll also need 1/2 cup of sugar and the juice from 1/2 lemon, and not showing, club soda.
I made the chia fresca exactly as the recipe was written. I found the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1/2 cup of sugar a bit thick, and it seized when added to the glass of ice, It even seized when I added it to just the club soda. Next batch I made I used the juice of 1 1/2 lemons to the 1/2 cup of sugar, much better. Most recipes I found didn't require soaking the seeds overnight, but anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Most recipes called for water, not the club soda.
Combine the lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and cool.
Now you have your soaked chia seeds, lemon syrup, club soda and a glass full of ice.
In a glass of ice, add the soaked chia seeds,
the lemon syrup,
club soda.
With the second batch I made, I mixed the thinner lemon syrup in with the chia seeds, added that to the glass of ice, then stirred in the club soda. Much better.
This is the recipe I adapted to my taste. I got it from Bob's Red Mill website.
I hope you try it, it's really refreshing.
Lemon Chia Fresca
This refreshing spritzer is a bubbly adaptation of a traditional Mexican beverage.
1 Tbsp Chia Seed
1/2 cup Water
juice of 1 Lemon 1/2 cup Sugar
32 fl oz Club Soda
Lemon wedges, to garnish Combine chia seed and water in a bowl. Refrigerate overnight.
Combine lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and heat just until granules dissolve.
Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Fill 4 tall glasses with ice. Divide chia seed and lemon syrup evenly between the glasses.
Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon wedges.
And that's that