Remember those summer berry galettes I shared a couple weeks back? Well, I originally wanted them to be strawberry rhubarb mint chocolate galettes. But the produce aisles weren’t cooperating and I wasn’t able to find rhubarb before the recipe redux deadline. So when I finally spotted some last week, I snatched up a bunch and wasted no time making this strawberry rhubarb chia seed drink.
I’ve mentioned this on the blog before but I’m not a huge fan of chia seeds. The texture of chia seed pudding makes me gag (unless it’s blended) and I abhor the way chia seeds stick to my teeth. But I am a sucker for anything guava, so when I saw this guava flavoured MammaChia chia seed drink at the store a couple months back I just had to give it a try.
And surprisingly, I didn’t hate it.
The texture definitely took a little getting used to but the more I drank the more it grew on me and I’ve actually bought it a couple times since.
But as with most things, I’ve been itching to try my hand at making my own version of that chia seed drink. Which is how this strawberry rhubarb chia seed drink came to be.
Strawberry Rhubarb Chia Seed Drink
I did a little research to figure out how to make a chia seed drink and realised there wasn’t a tonne of info on the process on the interwebs. Something similar, known as a chia fresca, was all the rage a few years ago but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. So I experimented a little and came up with this three part process:
1. Mix Chia Seeds in Water
Combine chia seeds and warm water in a 1:4 ratio and refrigerate overnight. You want your chia seeds to swell and plump up so you can get the most benefits. Mixing the chia seeds with water first also gives you greater control over the flavour and thickness of the chia seed drink.
2. Make strawberry rhubarb juice
This part does require the stove but it’s pretty hands off so you don’t have to be too close to the heat while it cooks. First you boil water, rhubarb, citrus zest and agave in a pot. Then add some strawbs and boil some more. Finally stir in lime juice, strain the mixture, discard the pulp and allow to cool.
3. Assemble your chia seed drink
All that’s left to do at this point is add the strawberry rhubarb juice to the chia seed and water mixture. I did a 3:1 ratio of juice to chia seed water but you can adjust to suit your tastes.
And that’s it. Less than ten ingredients and minimal cooking for a strawberry rhubarb chia seed drink that’s refreshing, filling and flavourful AF.
If you make this chia seed drink, I’d love to hear what you think after trying it. Leave a comment and rate the recipe or take a pic and tag me @ExSloth on Instagram!
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 2 cups warm filtered water
- 2 cups rhubarb, trimmed and cut into small pieces
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup agave, more or less to taste
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp vanilla, optional
- zest of one lime
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, more or less to taste
- extra strawbs and lime zest for garnish, optional
- Mix together the chia seeds and warm water in a large bowl or jug and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 - 5 hours
- Combine rhubarb, water, agave, salt, vanilla and zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil
- Reduce heat and simmer until the rhubarb starts to break down and the water begins to turn pink, about 8 - 10 minutes
- Add the sliced strawberries and return the mixture to a boil
- Reduce heat and simmer for another 2 - 3 minutes
- Remove from heat, add the freshly squeezed lime juice and allow to cool slightly
- Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer, pressing down on the fruit to squeeze out all the liquid
- Allow to cool
- Add the juice to the chia seeds and mix well, being sure to break up any clumps of chia seeds
- Refrigerate until ready to serve
- Serve cold and garnish with extra strawberries and lime zest if desired
Want more chia seed recipes? Try this one:
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WHAT ABOUT YOU?
- Have you ever had a chia seed drink before? What brand/flavour?
- What’s your favourite way to use rhubarb?
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Wow! This looks delicious! So refreshing!!
Mikki recently posted…5 Big Myths About Plant-Based Diets
Thanks Mikki! It really is 😀
I have not quite gotten used to the texture of chia seeds but that looks just beautiful!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Summer Skin Care Tips
Ugh I hate the chia seed in the teeth look too. It’s not good on me, haha. I do like the chia seed drinks though, but not how much sugar is in them. Thanks for a healthier option!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition recently posted…No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars + GIVEAWAY!
This looks SO great! I have a bunch of chia seeds collecting dust in my pantry because the last few attempts I’ve made with them I couldn’t handle the texture! I will have to pull them out and give this a whirl!
Not sure if I’d like the consistency of the drink but that tropical pudding looks delicious. Thanks for sharing
I really struggle with the texture of chia seeds. As Laura said, I’ve also got some just sitting in my pantry – maybe it’s time to pull them out ad give this a try.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…2016 Finish at the 50 Recap
i make cucumber lemon chia fresca and it is very refreshing in the summer. i shared a recipe on my blog if you are interested. im totally digging this strawberry rhubarb version!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Is Organic Food Worth It?
I’m not sure could get down with the texture of this drink, but your photos look so lovely that I might have to give it a try! I do love some chia seed jam though.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers recently posted…Stop being afraid of last place and sign up for that race!
My husband and father in law LOVE rhubarb! Recently my hubs made rhubarb bread pudding which was out of this world!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Revising My Fitness Goals for the Rest of the Year
LOVE this! As I wrote on Instagram I love berries, rhubarb, and chia! I can probably get my chia loving daughter to like rhubarb with this recipe! Can’t wait to try it!
This looks delicious! Much better than my version of a chia seed drink: I let the seeds soak over night in a glass of water with just a splash of fruit juice, then I slam it down. Not so flavorful, lol, but I like the chia benefits!
RFC recently posted…Surviving Summer Runs: How I Adapted to Running in the Heat
This looks so pretty!
Christina Bauer recently posted…Creamy Cantaloupe Smoothie
I have a permanent retainer on the interior of my teeth, and I ALWAYS get chia seeds stuck in there. Without fail. But I love this idea and the flavors–takes me right back to the South!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Five Ingredient Pesto Turkey Burgers (Gluten Free)
Whoever put strawberry and rhubarb together for the first time needs an award! I have love this combo since I was a kid. I loved when my mom would make Strawberry Rhubarb pie in the summer.
This sounds so good, and looks so pretty! I’m with you about the chia pudding. It gives me the willies. BUT, in the right form and with the right texture, I can get on board with chia. BTW, I am totally diggin’ your photography! Beautiful photos!
Lex @ Flecksoflex recently posted…I’m on the A Team! PLUS: 2016 Annapolis Running Classic Discount Code
Yum, this sounds refreshing! Totally been digging rhubarb this summer and this looks like such a fun way to enjoy it!
I’ve never tried a chia drink–they’re always so expensive! I like the idea of making one homemade, though 🙂
Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar recently posted…Going Hungry Episode 6: My Deep, Dark, Not-Totally-Irrational Fear
A delicious and nutritious combination of sweet strawberries and tangy rhubarb, with the added bonus of health-boosting chia seeds. Thank you very much for sharing this delicious drink recipe. Do you have any strawberry mocktail recipes?