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You are here: Home » Recipes » Drinks

Mexican Plum Agua Fresca

Published: Jun 23, 2023 · Updated: Jul 4, 2023 by Mely Martínez

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Yellow plum agua fresca is a refreshing drink perfect for a hot summer day. This drink is the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors, made with sweet and juicy Mexican yellow plums. It's the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day and is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves fruity drinks. In this post, I'll share my recipe for this delightful beverage so you can enjoy it too!

Two glasses with Mexican plum agua fresca.

Mexican Yellow Plum | Agua de Ciruela Mexicana

Perhaps you have heard of Jamaica agua fresca or Watermelon agua fresca, but how about Ciruela (Mexican Plum) agua fresca? These Mexican yellow plums are also named Ciruela or Jocote, a derivation of the Nahuatl word: xocotl, which means sour fruit. The ciruela Mexicana grows in tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America like Brazil.

This small and flavorful fruit can be yellow or red and appears during the summer, and is a favorite addition to aguas frescas. I prefer eating them when they are ripe and sweet, even though some people like them green when they are still sour with salt and chilli powder.    

Visiting my grandmothers' farm was one of my favorite things to do during the summertime growing up. I remember picking them off the trees and eating fresh fruit straight from them. Ciruelas was my all-time favorite fruit to pick. There is nothing like eating fresh ciruelas; they are juicy and sweet, with just the right amount of tartness.

Coming back home, we used to bring baskets full with us to share with family and friends. So even though I sometimes can’t find fresh ciruelas I try to find frozen ones at the Latin markets, let them thaw out, and make a pitcher of agua de ciruela. How about you, have you tried them before? If you haven’t, I recommend you give them a try; you will love them.

Mexican yellow plums in a white bowl

Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Plum Agua Fresca.

Before I share my recipe, I will answer the questions I usually get about this homemade recipe.

What are aguas frescas made of?

Aguas frescas (fresh water | cooler drinks ) can be made of a variety of ingredients, including fresh fruits, vegetables, grains (like rice to make horchata ), and flowers (like hibiscus). Some popular options include freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice and blended fresh fruit with water and a sweetener.

In Mexico, it is very popular to find stands with different flavors of agua frescas like tamarind, cantaloupe, watermelon, and ciruela during summer. For sweeteners, the traditional option is cane sugar; however, nowadays is more frequent to find other alternatives like honey, stevia, and agave syrup.

What does the jocote taste like?

When they are ripe, they are creamy and juice and taste like a cross between a plum and a mango. Think sweet and a little acidic. If they aren’t ripe, they are tart! You can still eat them; some people like to eat them with salt, chili powder, and lime juice.

Where can you find Mexican yellow plums?

Fresh Mexican yellow plums (ciruelas) are found in Latin stores around the summertime. Some specialty stores carry them in the frozen section, packaged in small bags. If you only find them frozen, let them thaw for about 30 minutes before making your agua fresca.

Frozen yellow plums in a white bowl.

Are yellow plums healthy for you?

Yes, fruits like yellow plums (jocote | ciruelas) are delicious and healthy. Like many tropical fruits, it contains a wide variety of nutrients. The Jocote (Spanish Plum) is full of antioxidants, vitamins A, C and Iron. It aso has a high amount of fiber and potassium.

When is Ciruela Season?

These delightful little plums are a rare treat, only gracing us with their presence during the early days of the summer heat wave, typically between May and early July. That's why so many people choose to freeze them, savoring their sweetness throughout the rest of the hot season. Let me tell you about another fruit called "Jobos."

They're quite similar to ciruelas, albeit smaller and slender, but they pack a punch with their incredibly aromatic flavor. You can only get your hands on these beauties during the summer months. If you happen to stumble upon them in a Latin store, do yourself a favor and buy a batch. Trust me, you won't be disappointed by their delectable taste.

Are there other colors of Mexican plums?

This tropical fruit from areas in Mexico and Latin America comes in different colors. Some of the range of colors includes green, yellow, orange, red, and dark red.  All Mexican plums grow in a green color until reaching their ripening color; the brighter the color, the sweeter the ciruela will taste. 

Red plums in a white bowl.

How to store Yellow Plum Agua Fresca

To store your agua fresca, pour any leftover drink into an airtight container, such as a pitcher with a lid or a mason jar. Store the container in the refrigerator, and make sure to consume the agua fresca within 2-3 days. If you notice any changes in the color or flavor of the drink, it's best to discard it.

How to make Yellow Plum Agua Fresca

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups of ripe ciruelas (frozen and thawed out is ok)
  • ½ cup sugar*
  • 5 cups of water
  • 3 cups of ice cubes
Ingredients to make agua fresca like ice, water, sugar and fresh fruit.

Instructions

  • If you use frozen yellow plums, let them thaw out for 30-45 minutes.
  • First, wash and place the fruit in a large bowl, and with your hands, press the skin to get as much pulp as possible from the ciruelas.
Fresh fruit is pressed by hand to extract the pulp.
  • Next, with the help of a strainer with medium holes, separate the pulp from the seeds of the plums into a pitcher.
Ciruelas seeds on a colander.
  • Then add the sugar and water and stir until all is well blended.
Sugar is added to a glass pitcher of fruit puree.
  • Finally, add ice and Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill, or serve immediately over ice.
  • Garnish with fresh plums, if desired, on a cold glass. 
Two glasses with Mexican plum agua fresca.

Notes: Remember that the sweetness of the plums and your personal taste will affect how much sugar you need, so feel free to adjust as necessary.

-Enjoy,

What to Serve with Agua de Ciruela

Aguas frescas are refreshing and perfect for summertime and outdoor meals. They are an excellent choice if you serve spicy, salty, or food to offset their flavor. You can serve it with carne asada or grilled chicken with guacamole and warm corn tortillas.

If you want a low-calorie meal, serve your agua de ciruela with the easy fish fillet and a salad for a quick and easy lunch. No matter what you choose, Ciruela agua fresca is the perfect drink for any occasion! By the way, you can also make popsicles using this same recipe.

More Authentic Mexican Recipes

And in case you want to know what are the other Mexican recipes besides this delicious agua fresca, you can check my other recipes:

  • Papaya drink
  • Prickly pear drink | Agua de tuna
  • Tamarind Drink 

If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!

-Mely,

For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. In español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina.

📖 Recipe

Two glasses with Mexican plum agua fresca.

Yellow Plum Agua Fresca

Mely Martínez
Yellow plum agua fresca is a refreshing drink perfect for a hot summer day. This drink is the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors, made with sweet and juicy Mexican yellow plums.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 89 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups of ripe ciruelas frozen and thawed out is ok
  • ½ cup sugar*
  • 5 cups of water
  • 3 cups of ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • If you use frozen yellow plums, let them thaw out for 30-45 minutes.
  • First, wash and place the fruit in a large bowl, and with your hands, press the skin to get as much pulp as possible from the ciruelas.
  • Next, with the help of a strainer with medium holes, separate the pulp from the seeds of the plums into a pitcher.
  • Then add the sugar and water and stir until all is well blended.
  • Finally, add ice and Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill, or serve immediately over ice.
  • Garnish with fresh plums, if desired, on a cold glass.

Notes

  • Remember that the sweetness of the plums and your personal taste will affect how much sugar you need, so feel free to adjust as necessary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 89kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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  1. Adriana Byers

    July 03, 2023 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for this drink recipe. It takes me back to when my mother used to make this for me on those hot days in Mexico. Thank you for letting me know about the frozen fruit in the Latin market, I was able to make a large pitcher of agua fresca de ciruela,.... it was DELICIOUS!!

    Reply

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About me

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
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