The literal meaning of this is “freshwater.” Also known as aguas fresca, this refreshing drink is similar to a fruit smoothie with herbs and sugar. It is popular in Latin and Central America and Mexico. It is often served at social gatherings and sold in many street food stalls.
But you don’t have to wait until you’re invited to a gathering to enjoy this tasty delight. Here’s how to make agua fresca in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- Three cups of fresh fruit (such as strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, or pineapple)
- Three cups of water
- One-quarter cup of granulated sugar (or to taste)
- One-quarter cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Ice cubes
- Fresh fruit slices or sprigs for garnish (optional)
These ingredients make 4 servings of Agua Fresca.
Preparation
The fruit used for your agua fresca is totally up to you. While some recipes use a blend of different fruits, some others stick to using just one fruit. This also influences the name of the agua fresca. For example, if it is made with pineapples, it is called pineapple agua fresca.
Pour your chopped fruit(s) into your blender and blend with water until smooth. The smoothness of your agua fresca depends on how well your blender works. You cannot go wrong with Amazon’s Hamilton Beach Power Elite Wave Action Blender. It makes purees easily and even crushes ice.
You can skip adding sugar to sweet fruits like pineapples. But for bland or sour fruits like strawberries, it may be necessary to add some sugar. Use a pestle to crush the mint leaves in a mortar. An alternative is to blend the leaves with a little water and strain through a sieve.
Add the mint juice to the fruit smoothie and mix it. Allow the mixture to chill in the refrigerator for up to thirty minutes. Afterward, strain it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher and discard the residue (the solids left in the sieve).
Give your agua fresca one last stir and serve with ice. To garnish your juice, cut up a piece of the fruit used in the juice and place it over the cup, or cut the fruit into tiny pieces and sprinkle it over the surface of the juice. You can also garnish with sprigs.
Storage and shelf life
To store your agua fresca, you would need a clean, airtight container or bottle. Carefully pour the juice into this container and refrigerate it at 40°F (4°C).
Many factors are involved in the shelf life of agua fresca, including the type of fruit used, how well the drink is refrigerated, and personal tolerance for spoilage. Generally, homemade agua fresca can last:
- 2-3 days in the refrigerator (if made with delicate fruits like strawberries or hibiscus)
- 3-5 days in the refrigerator (if made with harder fruits like watermelon or cantaloupe)
- 5-7 days in the refrigerator (if made with citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit, because of their acidity)
Nevertheless, like every smoothie, this drink’s freshness and quality reduce over time. So, the best time to consume it is within 24 to 48 hours of preparation.
If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as slimy texture, off taste or smell, or fermentation, discard it immediately.
Tips
- Using fresh and succulent fruits makes your agua fresca much more delicious.
- Overripe fruits like mangoes or bananas have a lot more sugar, making the juice sweeter than usual. You don’t need to add sugar in such cases.
- Avoid using fruits like grapes or berries. Having to de-seed them is not always a fun experience.
- A spritz of fresh lemon will enhance the taste of the agua fresca.
Bottomline
Agua fresca is flavor and health in a bottle. It is an easy replacement for store-bought juices, having zero additives and a lower calorie count. Better still, it is so easy to make. Why don’t you give it a try?
