Agua Fresca is a refreshing non-alcoholic juice drink made with natural ingredients. It’s very popular in Mexico and Central America as it’s sold in many cafes, juice bars, supermarkets, and street vendors. It is very easy to recreate Agua Fresca at home as all it takes is to blend fresh fruit with water, sweetener, and lime juice. Perfect to enjoy on hot summer days!
The weather is getting warmer, and summer is almost here! This means, that we get to enjoy more colorful fruit that is in season again! And these agua frescas are the perfect way to enjoy fresh fruit blended with just water, lime juice, and some sort of sweetener. It’s a very simple recipe that can be easily made at home with the help of a blender, and it’s loved by adults and kids alike!
So whether you’re preparing for a Cinco de mayo party, or you’re looking for a family-friendly drink idea for your next summer party, then Agua Fresca is the PERFECT drink that everyone will love!
What Does Agua Fresca Mean?
Aguas Frescas means cool or fresh waters in Spanish, they are light non-alcoholic drinks or juices made with fresh fruit, water, and lime juice, and often sweetened with sugar. They are also made by blending not just fruit, but also things like cereals, seeds, and flowers.
The most popular flavor is watermelon Agua Fresca, but flavors like hibiscus and tamarind are also widely sold in cafes, juice bars, supermarkets, and street vendors in Mexico and Central America.
Common Flavors
Many different fruits can be used, and below are the most common flavors for Agua Fresca:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Guava
- Strawberry
- Orange and lemon
- Prickly pear
- Cucumber
- Tamarind
Watermelon Agua Fresca is my favorite, but to be honest, I love all flavors. They’re all so refreshing and taste amazing.
Is Agua Fresca Good For You?
The reason why I love Agua Frescas is that they’re usually made with 100% natural ingredients. You can omit the sugar, and use sweet fruit. Of course, it depends on what goes into your drink, but it’s so simple and honestly, you don’t need much so keep it simple and healthy.
How to Make Agua Fresca?
The ratio of fruit to water is usually 3:2, but it depends on how watery the fruit that you’re using is. For example, watermelon contains a large amount of liquid, so I would do 3:1 in this case. It also depends on your personal preference, and how “concentrated” you like your juice to be.
- Combine fruit, with water, lime juice, and sweetener of choice in the blender jug. Blend until smooth, then have a taste and add more lime juice and/or sweetener if desired.
- You can strain the juice into a fine-mesh sieve if you like (optional).
- Serve immediately over ice, or chilled in the fridge.
What Sweetener to Use?
The most common sweetener for Agua Fresca is sugar. To keep things healthier, I usually go for maple syrup or honey. But you can use any type of sweetener that you like or even skip the sweetener if you don’t have a sweet tooth.
Storing Agua Fresca and How Long Does it Last
This juice is best served and enjoyed immediately over cubes of ice. But if you want to make it ahead, and would like to store it for later. Store in sealed bottles in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When stored in the fridge, the pulp will slightly separate and that’s totally normal. Just give the bottle a quick shake before pouring in glasses.
When serving I like to keep a small container of cut-up fruit pieces to decorate the glasses. And the kids love it too! So try this delicious Agua Fresca recipe, and I hope that you love it as much as we do!
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Blender. This is the blender that I use and love!
- Fine-mesh sieve. If you choose to strain the aguas frescas.
- Pitcher. For serving.
- Glass bottles. These are the ones that I use from Kilner, they are stackable and great for small fridges.
More Refreshing Drinks
- Kompot, a Russian fruit juice that is similar to this recipe but also different.
- Strawberry watermelon smoothie.
- Mint lemonade.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Agua Fresca
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh fruit peeled and chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey or sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Combine fruit, with water, lime juice, and sweetener of choice in the blender jug. Blend until smooth, then have a taste and add more lime juice and/or sweetener if desired.
- You can strain the juice into a fine-mesh sieve if you like (optional).
- Serve immediately over ice, or chilled for up to 3 days.
Notes:
- For watery fruit such as watermelon, I recommend adding less water. I usually go for 3 cups of watermelon to 1 cup of water.
- Fruits like cherries and berries are not recommended as they’re seedy and pulpy.
- This juice is best served and enjoyed immediately over cubes of ice. But if you want to make it ahead, and would like to store it for later. Store in sealed bottles in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If storing the aguas frescas in the fridge, the juice might start separating and that’s totally normal. Just give the bottle a quick shake before pouring in glasses.
- Decorate the glasses with small pieces of fresh fruit, or mint leaves when serving.
- If using cucumber, make sure that you peel it first. It’s also great when paired with fresh mint leaves.
- You can also blend turmeric and ginger root with the fruit if you like.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Crystal Garcia says
love these drinks, my children are half Hispanic, so getting the recipe so my daughter and I can make some drinks for family events. Can’t wait to try them and I’m sure it will be a great memory for my daughter and I, ty
Diana says
That sounds wonderful! I’m sure you and your daughter will have a great time making them together. Enjoy the drinks and the family moments!
Ray says
Very delicious agua frescas! We loved them!
Crystal says
I love watermelon agua fresca. There is a little Mexican cafe near me who makes really good ones. Cantaloupe is second on my list. I’ve always wanted to try making them here at home.