I’ve recently discovered Aguas Frescas or Fresh Water. In Mexico, where we’ve been for a while, Aguas Frescas is on the menu at every restaurant, and large 5-gallon jugs of brightly colored fruit juices can be found at every market and food stand. I’m embarrassed to say that I had never tried them as I can be a bit of a picky eater (yes, I know!). But now that I’ve (finally) discovered how fantastic Aguas Frescas are, I simply can’t get enough. This week I’ve made one with mango, lime, and ginger; a strawberry lemon, and one with peaches and blueberries. They are all just fantastic!
Watermelon, pineapple, cucumber lime, and horchata waters
Aguas Frescas are a refreshing blend of fresh fruit, sugar, herbs, spices, and water, served over ice. Perfect to cool you off on a hot day. Popular flavors include watermelon, mango, cucumber, pineapple, passionfruit, and hibiscus, but Aguas Frescas can be made with any juicy fruit - fresh or frozen - you prefer. It’s a great way to use up fruit that’s a bit past its prime.
Feel free to mix and match your fruit to find an interesting flavor combination. And don’t be shy about adding bold flavors like lemon, lime, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, basil, or ginger to personalize your Aguas Frescas. The flavors will mellow and melange as the Aguas Frescas sit overnight.
Strawberry Aguas Fresca
To make Aguas Frescas, simply peel and slice 2 cups of fruit - strawberries, mango, watermelon, cucumber, etc, removing the large seeds and pits as needed. Prep any herbs or spices. Juice (and zest!) the lemon or lime.
Drop everything into the pitcher of your blender with 1/4 cup of sugar (I prefer brown sugar) and 5 cups of water. Blend at high speed for 3 minutes.
Taste your Aguas Frescas and see what it needs. Is it sweet enough? Could it use a little more tartness? Mintiness? More water? Add it now and blend again for another minute.
Taste it again, and when you are happy with it, pour some in a glass over a lot of ice and enjoy it right away. Pour the rest into a pitcher or bottle (this is a great use of a pretty wine bottle and cork!) and store it in the fridge. It’ll keep beautifully for 3 or 4 days if it lasts that long. Give it a shake before you serve it.
Mango aguas frescas - perfect for a warm day
Here are a few flavor combinations to try:
*Strawberry and lemon
*Mango. lime and ginger
*Cantaloupe and lemon
*Watermelon, mint, and lime
*Passionfruit, coconut, and strawberries
*Peaches, lemon and mint
*Cucumber, mint and lime
*Pineapple, kiwi, mango and papaya
Make a pitcher of Aguas Frescas to enjoy over ice. Or mix with your favorite spirit to make a cocktail. It’s the perfect summer drink - cool, refreshing, endlessly customizable, and healthy-ish. I think you’ll love it!
