aguas de frescas

Agua de Tamarindo (Tamarind-flavored Water)

Tamarinds are used frequently in both Thai and Indian cooking. In Mexico they're hugely popular and are regularly used to make aguas dulces, or sweet waters. They're also used to make dulces de tamarindo, or tamarind candies. The pods of the tamarind tree are used in this delicious, unique drink. This recipe takes about an hour to prepare and another hour or so to chill. It makes a half gallon. Or, to buy a quick and easy mix for Agua de Tamarindo at MexGrocer click here at, Agua de Tamarindo.

20 tamarindo pods(three packages)
2 quarts water
1 1/2 cups sugar (or to taste)

Peel the tamarindo pods, removing the veins that run along the sides. Leave the seeds.

In medium saucepan, bring one quart water to a boil. Add peeled tamarindo pods. Boil over high heat for approximately 15 minutes, or until the pulp is soft.

Remove from heat and let cool until the pulp is ready to handle. Remove seeds from pulp and discard, along with any remaining bits of peel. Empty the saucepan into a blender. Add sugar and blend until liquified. Run the mixture through a strainer, discarding extra pulp. Pour into a pitcher and mix with remaining quart of water. Chill thoroughly before serving. Pour into tall, ice-filled glasses and serve.

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Water)

Dried hibiscus flowers, known in Mexico as jamaica (pronounced hah-MIKE-ah) are used to make this refreshing, delicious drink. Agua de Jamaica is a mild, natural diuretic. People who drink it for that reason often use a sugar substitute. This recipe takes takes about an hour to prepare and another hour or so to chill. It makes a half gallon. Or, if you'd rather buy a quick and easy mix for Agua de Jamaica

2 cups dried hibiscus flowers(2 packages)
2 quarts water
3/4 cup sugar (or to taste) - or equivalent amount of sugar substitute

Rinse and drain the hibiscus flowers in a colander. In medium saucepan, bring one quart of water to a boil. Add hibiscus flowers and sugar. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for approximately 15 minutes. Mixture will be dark red in color.

Remove from heat and cool. Strain thoroughly and pour into a pitcher. Add remaining water and stir. Chill in a saucepan with 4 cups of the water and the sugar. Stir and bring to a slow boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. The flowers will have lost their color into the water, which will be a deep red color. Let the liquid cool, then run the mixture through a strainer. Pour into a pitcher and mix with remaining quart of water. Chill thoroughly before serving. Pour into tall, ice-filled glasses and serve.

Agua de Melón (Cantaloupe Water)

Delicious. Refreshing. Easy. A winner for sure. This recipe takes takes about 20 minutes to prepare and another hour or so to chill. It makes a half gallon. Or, if you'd rather buy a quick and easy mix for Agua de Melón

1 canteloupe, diced, with seeds and rind discarded
6 cups water
½ cup sugar (or to taste)

Place half of diced cantaloupe in blender, along with two cups of the water. Blend until liquified. Pour into a pitcher. Place remaining cup of watermelon in blender, along with two more cups water. Blend thoroughly and pour into pitcher. Add remaining two cups of water and sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Chill thoroughly before serving. Pour into tall, ice-filled glasses and serve.

Agua de Sandía (Watermelon Water)

Agua de Sandía (pronounced Sahn-DEE-yah) is a particular favorite with kids! Another winner-for sure. This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and another hour or so to chill. It makes a half gallon. Or, if you'd rather buy a quick and easy mix for Agua de Sandía!

2 cups diced seedless watermelon, with rind removed
6 cups water
1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)

Place one cup diced watermelon in blender, along with two cups of the water. Blend until liquified. Pour into a pitcher. Place remaining cup of watermelon in blender, along with two more cups water. Blend thoroughly and pour into pitcher. Add remaining two cups of water and sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Chill thoroughly before serving. Pour into tall, ice-filled glasses and serve.