Make Agua Fresca for a Cool, Refreshing Traditional Mexican Drink

Agua Fresca translates to “Fresh Water” or “Cool Water”. It is usually lightly flavored with fruit or other things to give the water just a bit more than a hint of flavor. It is so refreshing on a hot day, or after exercise. Use just about any fruit, herb, or edible fragrant flower. Some traditional Mexican agua flavors are agua de jamaica (hibiscus flower), limón (lime), naranja (orange), sandia (watermelon), tamarindo (tamarind) and horchata (made with rice and cinnamon). Most aguas frescas are sweet, but they don’t have to be. Pepino (Cucumber) makes a delicious and refreshing unsweetened option.

All you need is the base of fresh fruit juice, some water, and the sweetener of your choice. That could be sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave syrup, stevia, monk fruit, etc. The agua doesn’t need to be very sweet, or very concentrated with fruit. You can use a fairly small amount fresh fruit and blend and strain the juice to mix with water, add your sweetener if desired, stir, and serve with ice. Yummmm!