Agua Fresca
(Mexican fresh fruit beverage)
Image 
by douglemoine
Makes about 2 1/2 quarts
Ingredients
- Fresh fruit (see notes), chopped coarsely -- 3 cups
- Water -- 6-8 cups
- Sugar -- 1/2 to 3/4 cup
- Lime juice (optional) -- 1/4 cup
Method
- Add the fruit and 2-3 cups of the water to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a large pitcher.
- Add the rest of water, 1/2 cup of sugar and lime juice if using. Stir well and add more water and sugar as needed. Serve well chilled.
Variations
- Agua de Fresa: Use strawberries.
- Agua de Jamaica: see Sorrel Punch recipe.
- Agua de Melón: Use cantaloupe or any other melon.
- Agua de Papaya: Use papaya. The addition of lime juice makes a tastier beverage here.
- Agua de Sandía: Use watermelon.
- Agua Fresca de Pepino: Use peeled, seeded cucumbers and lime juice. Cut down on the sugar. Very refreshing.
- The lime juice is not required, but can add a welcome tartness to some aguas frescas.
agua fresca
A Mexican caterer gave me a recipe similar to this one but used powered sugar and added a can of pet milk to the melon/water mixture. It is very tasty and of course a little creamy. If one likes iced beverages, just cut down on water and serve over crushed ice.
hmm
I had many variations of this while in El Salvador, it was always room temperture though, which probably robbed it of some of its goodness.
agua fresca notes
Mexican street vendors often strain the agua fresca through a sieve after blending. You can ask that they not do this; no reason not to drink the pulp.
If you're going to strain it, you can put the lime in the blender with its peel. The flavor is more intense. Don't do this unless you will strain it after blending.
You can combine fruits for different flavors.
I don't put sugar in agua fresca. Mexican street vendors typically put sugar but you can ask them to leave it out. To me, the fruit is already sweet enough, and the version without sugar is healthier.
This is one of my favorite drinks.