Sweet and tropical, Mango Agua Fresca is a light and refreshing beverage for summertime. With hints of lime and honey, it tastes like sunshine in a glass.
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Mango Agua Fresca recipe
Wishing the hot weather would cool off? Agua fresca is here to help. This flavored water is not only easy to make — it’s incredibly refreshing and ideal for a hot summer day.
In Spanish, the term “agua fresca” means “fresh water.” This drink lives up to its name in every sip. It’s prepared by blending fruit with water, citrus and a sweetener to make a refreshing drink.
You can use everything from melon to berries to make aguas fresca, but mango is ultra dreamy. Its clean, bright flavor and vibrant yellow-orange color work well in this delicious drink.
Whip up a batch of this perfect mango drink for yourself to sip by the pool, in your backyard or at the beach. Aguas frescas are also an excellent non-alcoholic option for parties.
More agua fresca recipes: Watermelon Agua Fresca • Strawberry Agua Fresca • Cucumber Agua Fresca
Why you’ll love this recipe
Mango agua fresca is a perfect tropical summer beverage, and you’re going to love it.
- Sweet mangoes are one of the most luscious summer fruits.
- Agua fresca is easy to prepare in a blender or food processor.
- You’ll have this colorful and refreshing beverage ready in just a few minutes.
Whether you’re spending a hot day on the beach or simply enjoying a chill day at home, this sweet drink is a perfect choice. You can also make this drink for holidays like Cinco de Mayo.
What is agua fresca?
Aguas frescas are refreshing non-alcoholic beverages prepared by blending water and sugar with fruits, grains, flowers or seeds. The result is a sweet and light drink that highlights the bright flavors of fruit juice.
This fruity drink is a staple in Mexico and other Latin American countries, where it is available at convenience stores, juice bars, restaurants and street vendors. Agua de mango is the Spanish name for mango agua fresca.
Aguas frescas are versatile recipes, as you can use a wide range of herbs and fruits, spanning from tropical pineapple and melon to sweet berries. Horchata, traditionally made from rice, is also a type of aguas frescas.
Tools & glassware
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- electric juicer or citrus press (optional)
- blender
- fine-mesh strainer
- a large pitcher (for a party)
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. Here’s what to grab at the grocery store:
- Fresh mango: When making Mango Agua Fresca, you can save time by using pre-cut mango from your local grocery store’s produce department. Make sure to choose ripe, in-season fruit for the best flavor. Frozen mango can also work, but be sure to thaw the fruit before blending it with water or you will have a mango smoothie!
- Water: Use the best water you have access to! Filtered water works best. The amount of water can also be adjusted according to your taste. If you prefer a stronger fruit flavor, simply reduce the water to 1 ½ cups.
- Honey: Depending on the sweetness of your mango, you may not need to add any sweetener. However, feel free to use your preferred sweetener, such as agave nectar, granulated sugar, maple syrup or even a stevia-based sweetener like sugar-free simple syrup.
- Lime: You’ll want to juice a fresh lime for this. Keep in mind that the amount of juice you get from your lime can vary, so you may need the whole lime if it’s smaller or less juicy.
- Garnishes: Embellish the drink with a few chunks of mango, fresh mint, basil or lime wedges for a garnish.
- Ice cubes or crushed ice: This is optional for serving.
Variations and substitutions
Mix things up with one of these variations on this recipe:
Flavor it: You can add other fruits or herbs to your mango agua fresca recipe. Try blending in fresh mint, jalapeños or fresh strawberries for a delightful combo.
Make it sparkling: To make it a carbonated drink, you’ll need to adjust the recipe. Blending sparkling water in the blender is okay, but it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide, so you’re left with plain water. Follow the instructions, but cut the regular water amount in half. Continue with the instructions and strain the fruit. When you are ready to serve it, pour half of the mango mixture into a glass and top it off with sparkling water.
Make it a cocktail: Agua fresca is intended to be a non-alcoholic drink, but you can absolutely add some booze if you like. It pairs well with tequila, rum or vodka for a delicious and refreshing cocktail.
How to make Mango Agua Fresca
Here’s how to make this mango agua fresca recipe:
In a blender or food processor, combine the mango, water, honey and lime juice.
Blend until very smooth.
Strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or bowl. This will remove any solids or sediments from the fruit.
Chill for 1-2 hours, or serve immediately over ice.
You can make it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- For the best and most flavorful results, use fresh, ripe fruit. This will ensure that your drink is sweet, flavorful and juicy.
- Mangoes can be tricky to cut as they have a large, tough pit in the center. To cut a mango, slice off the sides around the pit, then score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern and scoop it out of the skin with a spoon. Or, use a mango slicer — I love mine!
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your flavors! Mango pairs well with a variety of other fruits, such as strawberries, pineapple or even coconut. You can also experiment with herbs like mint, thyme, or basil to add an extra layer of complexity to your drink.
- For best results, chill it in the fridge before serving. This will make it even more refreshing and enjoyable as the flavors have more time to meld together. Alternatively, you can serve it over ice to keep it cool.
What to serve with Mango Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is excellent with chips and a fruity dip like peach salsa or pineapple salsa.
You could also enjoy it with a number of mango recipes, like mango chutney-glazed salmon or strawberry mango popsicles.
FAQ
Mango Agua Fresca is a refreshing drink made from fresh mango, water, lime juice and sweetener. It’s a popular drink in Mexico and other parts of Central America, and it’s perfect for hot summer days.
Yes, you can use a variety of fruits to make agua fresca, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple or strawberries. You can even mix and match fruits to create unique flavor combinations.
To choose a ripe mango, look for one that is slightly soft to the touch and has a sweet, fragrant aroma. Avoid mangoes that are too hard or have visible bruises or blemishes.
More mango recipes
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Mango Agua Fresca
ingredients
- 2 cups peeled and chopped mango plus more for garnish
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice about ½ lime
- ice cubes or crushed ice for serving (optional)
- fresh mint, basil or lime wedges for garnish (optional)
instructions
- In a blender, combine the mango, water, honey, and lime juice, and blend until very smooth.
- Strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or bowl. This will remove any solids or sediments from the fruit.
- Chill for 1-2 hours, or serve immediately over ice.
- You can make it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
notes
- Save time by using pre-cut mango from your local grocery store’s produce department.
- Make sure to choose ripe, in-season fruit for the best flavor.
- Depending on the sweetness of your mango, you may not need to add any sweetener. However, feel free to use your preferred sweetener, such as agave nectar, granulated sugar, maple syrup or a stevia-based sweetener.
- Keep in mind that the amount of juice you get from your lime can vary, so you may need the whole lime if it’s smaller or less juicy.
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