Agua fresca is formally TikTok’s favourite drink. However what’s agua fresca, precisely? Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, HUM Vitamin’s training specialist, explains all the things you have to find out about this trending beverage—and shares three scrumptious, hydrating recipes you may make at house.
If you happen to’re on TikTok, you’ve most likely come throughout the current agua fresca or “spa water” pattern. Though it’s trending now, agua fresca has been round for hundreds of years and is a staple in lots of Latin American international locations. Not solely is it completely scrumptious, but it surely’s additionally extraordinarily hydrating and gives a number of well being advantages. Plus, it’s a fast and straightforward deal with anybody can whip up of their kitchen. Under, I’ll dive into the origins of agua fresca, its well being advantages, and three simple recipes to strive.
What Is Agua Fresca?
Agua fresca is Spanish for “contemporary water”. A extra correct definition, nonetheless, could be infused or flavored water.
It’s value clarifying that the time period agua fresca describes a class of drinks whereas a sort of agua fresca is called in line with its taste. For instance, a pineapple agua fresca is known as agua de piña, which is Spanish for pineapple water.
Conventional to Mexico and a few Latin American international locations, agua fresca is a well-liked drink throughout hotter months. Normally, agua fresca is offered by avenue distributors outdoors of church buildings, colleges, markets, and on particular events. After all, households additionally take pleasure in making agua fresca at house. (My dad truly makes a imply hibiscus agua fresca—peep our household recipe under!)
On TikTok, you would possibly see some folks mistakenly referring to agua fresca as “spa water”. Spa water is water that’s flippantly infused with fruit or cucumber (suppose: lemon water). Agua fresca, alternatively, is concentrated, filled with taste, and made with quite a lot of edible crops and seeds, along with fruit. Moreover, agua fresca can differ from candy to tart to even milky in taste.
A number of the commonest agua fresca flavors embody:
- Agua de horchata: made with vanilla, white rice, and cinnamon
- Agua de jamaica: made with dried hibiscus flower leaves
- Agua de limon: made with contemporary lime juice
- Agua de fresa: constructed from blended strawberries
- Agua de tamarindo: made with edible fruit from the tamarind tree
- Agua de sandía: made with blended watermelon and contemporary lime juice
Is Agua Fresca Wholesome?
You might discover it shocking that most individuals don’t eat agua fresca for its well being advantages. Folks drink agua fresca as a result of it’s a scrumptious (and reasonably priced) technique to quench your thirst through the summer season. Nonetheless, agua fresca is inherently a more healthy various to different flavored drinks (akin to sugary sodas or juices).
On condition that the bottom of agua fresca is water, it might probably assist enhance your hydration ranges. Whenever you’re adequately hydrated, you’re much less more likely to crave high-sugar drinks like sodas and juices. Furthermore, agua fresca is a enjoyable and straightforward technique to incorporate extra contemporary fruits and different edible crops into your food plan.
Bear in mind: Agua fresca is historically made with added sugar for sweetness. You possibly can management how a lot sugar you add (if any) relying on how candy you want your drinks.
General, selfmade agua fresca is a wholesome beverage. Simply watch out with powdered, premade agua fresca, as that is usually made with synthetic flavors and sweeteners. As a substitute, go for selfmade agua fresca—it’s fast, easy, and completely scrumptious.
How you can Make Agua Fresca
Most agua fresca is made by making a fruit (or taste) focus and diluting it in a big pitcher with water, sugar, and ice. The focus is usually made by mixing complete fruit right into a liquid or by boiling/soaking an edible plant or flower. So whether or not you’re a whiz within the kitchen or you hate cooking, agua fresca is comparatively simple for anybody to make.
3 Agua Fresca Recipes to Strive
Able to get in on the TikTok pattern? Listed below are three RD-approved agua fresca recipes to check out.
