The quick answer is no, traditional aguas frescas do not contain alcohol. Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic beverages made from fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds that are blended with sugar and water. They originated in Mexico and are popular refreshments in Mexican cuisine.
What are aguas frescas?
Aguas frescas, Spanish for “fresh waters”, are chilled beverages typically made from fruits, flowers, cereals, or seeds blended with sugar and water. Some common flavors include tamarind, hibiscus, rice, melon, and horchata (a drink made from rice, almonds, cinnamon, and vanilla).
The fruits or ingredients used in aguas frescas are washed, peeled, and blended. The resulting mixture is then strained to remove solid pieces. Sugar, lime juice, and chilled water are added to sweeten and dilute the concentrate. The beverage is served over ice garnished with fruit slices or mint.
Aguas frescas likely originated in Mexico, where they are commonly sold by street vendors from large glass jugs. They are now popular throughout Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. On hot days, the cool, refreshing drinks provide hydration and a sweet treat.
Do aguas frescas contain alcohol?
Traditional aguas frescas do not contain any alcohol. They are non-alcoholic refreshments meant to quench thirst. The ingredients used, such as fruits, rice, seeds, and flowers, do not naturally contain significant amounts of alcohol that would be retained in the finished beverage.
Some modern variations of aguas frescas may blend fresh ingredients with spirits, wine or beer. For example, places that serve adult drinks may offer aguas frescas made with tequila or rum. These would be considered mixed drinks, rather than traditional aguas frescas.
So in summary, the classic preparation of aguas frescas involves simply blending fruits, cereals, seeds or flowers with sugar, water and ice. No fermentation occurs and alcohol is not produced, resulting in a non-alcoholic beverage.
Common flavors of agua fresca
Some common flavors of traditional, non-alcoholic aguas frescas include:
- Horchata – Made from rice, cinnamon, vanilla and almonds
- Tamarind – Made from the pulp of tamarind pods
- Hibiscus – Made from steeping dried hibiscus flowers in boiling water
- Jamaica – Made from hibiscus flowers
- Melon – Cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon
- Cucumber
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Strawberry
- Prickly pear
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
These aguas frescas showcase the wide variety of fruits, flowers, seeds and grains used. They deliver bright, refreshing flavor in drinks that quench thirst and cool you down on a hot day.
Benefits of aguas frescas
Drinking aguas frescas has several benefits:
- They are hydrating due to their high water content.
- They provide nutrients from whole fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains or flowers used.
- They contain natural sugars rather than artificial sweeteners.
- They are calorie-conscious. A 12 oz serving may have around 100-150 calories.
- They have more flavor than water or soda.
- They are caffeine-free.
- They are vegan/vegetarian friendly.
Aguas frescas are a tasty way to get in fluid and nutrients. They provide hydration with fresh flavor from natural ingredients.
How to make aguas frescas
Making aguas frescas at home is simple. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed, seeded fruit, chopped vegetables or soaked flowers/seeds/grains
- 1/2 cup sugar, or to taste
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 4 cups cold water, plus more for blending
- Ice
- Mint, fruit slices, edible flowers for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Wash, peel and chop produce if using fruits/vegetables. For flowers/seeds/grains, soak in water first if required.
- In a blender, puree the produce with a bit of water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice until smooth.
- Strain puree through a fine mesh sieve, pressing to extract liquids. Discard solids.
- Add 4 cups of cold water and additional sugar to taste. Mix well until sugar dissolves.
- Chill agua fresca until cold, at least 2 hours.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice and agua fresca. Garnish if desired. Stir well before drinking.
Try different fruit, veggie and flower combinations. Adjust sugar to taste. The possibilities for unique flavors are endless.
Where to find aguas frescas
Here are some places to find refreshing aguas frescas:
- Mexican restaurants, taquerias, street food vendors
- Latin/Hispanic grocery stores and markets
- Farmers markets
- Carnicerias – Mexican butcher shops
- Raspados/neveria shops that sell aguas frescas and shaved ice treats
- Botanero shops that sell aguas frescas and botanicals
- Make your own at home!
Aguas frescas are widely available in areas with large Hispanic/Latino populations. But you can also make them easily at home to enjoy fresh fruity flavors all summer long.
Conclusion
Aguas frescas are a delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic beverage that originated in Mexico. They are made from fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, grains and water blended with sugar and lime. Whilecreative modern variations may contain alcohol, traditional aguas frescas are completely non-alcoholic. They offer hydration and nutrients from whole food ingredients in drinks that are bright, flavorful and cooling. Aguas frescas are easy to whip up at home to quench your thirst on a hot day.