Aguas Frescas are the typical Mexican household every day’s beverages. Usually, the drink is prepared using the fruits available according to the season and, sometimes, depending on the family’s economy, the flavor of the drink will rely on the fruit that has the lowest price in the market.
Pineapple, Watermelon and Cantaloupe Drinks
Sometimes the market vendors will offer a discount on the fruits reaching the peak of their shelf life. Many housewives take advantage of these on sale produce to prepare Aguas Frescas to serve at lunchtime.
But, why do we call them Aguas Frescas?
These are beverages prepared with a mix of water, fruits, sugar and ice cubes. The ice is added to the water/fruit mix in the pitcher to cool. Cool means Fresco in Spanish, and water means agua, hence the name Aguas Frescas.
They are not a thick drink like a smoothie or juice. The fruit is added to the water to add flavor. The different types of fruits used to prepare the beverages will also vary from region to region, but some common ones are Papaya, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Jamaica, Tamarind, Pineapple, Lime, and Mango.
There are some drinks that instead of fruit use grains, leaves, flowers or seeds, like Agua de Horchata, Jamaica, or Chaya. A typical place to find an Aguas Frescas vendor is at the markets, fairs, and other large community events.
This recipe can be used as a basic recipe for different types of Aguas Frescas. Below you will see the pictures for Pineapple, but you can use Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Mango, or Cucumbers.
How to make Aguas Frescas
Notes:
- *You can use either one of the above-mentioned fruits or any other fruit of your preference.
- **Some fruits, when in season, are very sweet and there is no need to add to much sugar. Adjust the sugar according to your taste.
- Some cooks like to add a few drops of lime juice to their Watermelon or Cantaloupe Agua Fresca.
Instructions
- Place the fruit in a blender with 2 cups of water and sugar, puree until completely smooth.
- Pour the blender contents into a pitcher, add the 2 extra cups of water and the ice cubes. Taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if needed. If you want it less thick in consistency, add more water. Serve immediately and enjoy!
You might also like these recipes for Aguas-Frescas de Tamarindo, Horchata & Hibiscus.
What is your favorite drink?
📖 Recipe
Aguas Frescas: pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe drinks
Ingredients
- 2 Cups pineapple, watermelon or cantaloupe, peel and seeds removed, cut into cubes.
- 4 Cups water.
- ⅓ Cup sugar*
- 2 Cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the fruit in a blender with 2 cups of water and sugar, puree until completely smooth.
- Pour the blender contents into a pitcher, add the 2 extra cups of water, and the ice cubes. Taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if needed. If you want it less thick in consistency, add more water. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Juanita
This Horchata recipe took me home to my Grandmother's farm in Mexico. It has a home feel with each sip, a refreshing taste, and the recipe was incredibly easy to follow.
Jennifer H
Hi! I want to make your Watermelon Aguas Frescas for a party on Sunday! Can it be made a day ahead, or does it need to be made right when you're going to drink it? thanks!
Mely Martínez
Hello Jennifer,
You can make it at least 4 hours early. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Emily
I love agua frescas, my favorite is mango.
Patricia A. Forbes
Thank you ever so much for sharing this... I love having so many different options... Will definitely add cucumber and lime... Sometimes tequila or vodka!
Rose Escamilla
I love Aguas Frescas especially watermelon! I like to add cucumber and lime to it. It’s so refreshing!!
mmartinez
Hello Rose,
Thank you for stopping by. Love the idea of adding cucumber and lime.
Esther
My favorite is agua de fresa. My tios owned strawberry fields in Michoacan, & that's where I first had agua de fresa.
Tiffany Arceo
Pineapple water is my favorite. I make it without sugar. I add ginger syrup.
Anonymous
I enjoy all of your recetas. My favorite agua fresa es Agua de pepino.
Unknown
Hi I just wondered what kind of blender you use. Mine has little pieces of pulp. Is that normal? Andrea
mmartinez
Hello Andrea,
I used to have a waring blender, and those do a pretty good job, but now, I have a vitamix. Some people use a strainer to remover the pulp.
Happy cooking!
Melissa Nolan
I love the mango one! By chance have you shared a recipe of i cant remember what its called: Its a corn tortilla sliced open on side and stuffed with meats, beans, etc.? I love them and moved from South Texas to Maine and am dieing for good Mexican food.
Mely Martinez
Hello Melissa,
Do you mean empanadas or quesadillas? Both are in the recipe section. Thanks for visiting.
letty
I think she is taking about Gorditas de Manteca.
Stefanie
Probably. Gorditas they are sliced open & stuffed with beans or meat & other toppings of your choosing.
Ronnie Hoffman
I think the question about corn tortillas sliced on the side are what we in Texas call Gorditas. Usually small thick rounds of masa that are usually first browned on a comal and then deep fried in oil. Then sliced horizontally and filled with good stuff. I love them and make them occasionally.
From a South Texas Gringo
flanandapplepie
Mmmm...all of these aguas frescas look divine! I love agua de guanábana. It is my absolute favorite. ~Nicole
Mely
Hello Nicole,
My husband favorite is also Guanabana. We buy the frozen fruit at the latin markets. Saludos!
flanandapplepie
Oh yum! Good to know. I'll have to keep my eye out for it here in Pennsylvania. Saludos 🙂
Jesusan
I am delighted to see instructions for making aguas frescos. My very favorite is Jamaica. I feel very blessed to live in a town with very heavy Mexican population, so I can get important ingredients like Jamaica in bulk and for reasonable prices (I live in El Paso). I like the idea of trying the fruit ones, and also tamarind.
Ellie Marie
Ay, this post makes me crave agua de sandia! My mamá made some the other day when I went to visit her. It's my favorite! It's very hot in the city I live, so I think I'll pick up a sandia next time I go grocery shopping so I can make some agua fresca. Great post!
Catherine
Delicious!! Fresh!! and very healthy too. Blessings, Catherine