How to Make Agua Frescas

Learn how to make agua frescas, a simple, refreshing, non-alcoholic blended drink of fruit, lime, and water. They’re great for Cinco de Mayo and warm summertime fun!

What are aguas frescas?

Aguas frescas, or “fresh waters” in Spanish, are light, refreshing, blended beverages that are typically popular in Mexico, Central America, and the United States.

They’re a hydrating, non-alcoholic drink that are typically made from blending fruit, grains, flowers, or seeds with sugar and lime juice. 

Aguas frescas may make a fantastic way to stay cool and hydrated all summer long, but did you know they actually offer some health benefits, too?

How to Make Agua Frescas:

Agua frescas are very easy to make. All you you need is the following:

Agua Fresca Ingredients:

  • Fruit
  • Water
  • Lime juice
  • Sweetener to taste (optional)

Agua Fresca Recipe:

It couldn’t be simpler! To make agua fresca, combine fruit, water, and lime juice in a blender and blend for a minute, or until ingredients are smoothly combined. If desired, add a sweetener to your preferred level of sweetness.

Does it Matter What Kind of Blender?

Any blender can be used to make agua frescas, as long as it’s high-powered enough to smoothly blend and puree the fruit/ grains you’re using. Blenders I recommend include:

Is Agua Fresca Healthy?

It depends, but they absolutely can be!

Unlike juice, agua fresca blends the whole fruit (or grain) with water and the beverage is enjoyed as is. No filtering or straining, which means the agua fresca retains all the fiber found in the fruit or grain you use.

Depending on the type of fruit or grain, any fiber may help create a lower overall glycemic index of the beverage and a lesser impact on your blood sugar levels.

Agua fresca is also incredibly hydrating, not just from the water, but from the water content found in various fruits (and even vegetables, like cucumber), as well.

You also get some health benefits with the specific types of fruit, seeds, grains, herbs, and more that you choose to use.

Of course it will vary based on what you use, but many fruits contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, potassium, and various antioxidants and phytochemicals.

If you have any medical conditions that require you to be cautious in your consumption of certain vitamins and nutrients, be sure to choose your fruits to meet your needs!

Is There Sugar in Agua Fresca?

Many traditional agua fresca recipes do include sugar in the recipe. If you choose to add sugar, that is totally up to you. Personally, I find not much is needed when combined with the natural sweetness of a fruit-based agua fresca.

But, I did want to try make agua fresca without sugar, so I tested a couple variations.

Agua Frescas with Dates

I first tried blending a soaked medjool date as I blended the rest of the ingredients, to add some natural sweetness from another fresh fruit. Pros: you get a sweeter beverage just with a little more fruit. Cons: it’s less pretty when made with dates (they’re a little less vibrant and slightly “murky”), and the consistency becomes a touch thicker.

Coconut Water Aguas Frescas

Coconut water is very hydrating. It’s 94% water, provides a source of electrolytes, and offers a subtle sweetness from its naturally occurring sugars (6 grams per 1 cup).

If you want your agua fresca a little sweeter and you don’t want to add sugar or dates, try adding coconut water.

My whole family and I really enjoyed the coconut water agua fresca variations. Coconut water agua frescas are incredibly refreshing, particularly with fruit flavors that lend well to a subtle coconut flavor!

More Sugar Alternatives

Now, despite all the wellness world marketing about “natural sweeteners,” the truth is, our bodies are going to metabolize sugar the same, whether it’s cane sugar or something like honey.

But if you prefer to use sweeteners like honey or agave, they work well in agua frescas. Same with coconut sugar! I don’t recommend maple syrup, as it changes the flavor too much.

Additionally, you can use other non-nutritive sweeteners if you prefer. My current favorite is allulose, but you can also try monk fruit or stevia.

Agua Frescas Flavors

The options are truly limitless! Choosing fruit (fresh or even frozen!) that you like or based on what’s in season. Get creative by pairing different fruits together, or by adding other fresh, flavorful additions like herbs and ginger. Have fun with it!

Want some agua fresca recipes inspiration? Try some of my recipes shared below:

Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca

Stemless wine glass of cucumber mint agua fresca with cucumber and mint garnish.

There’s something so soothing and spa-like about pairing cucumbers with mint in this Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca! Be sure to peel your cucumber for a prettier color. Also? Coconut water works fantasically in this agua fresca recipe!

Mango Agua Fresca

Overhead view of mango agua fresca with fresh sliced mango on the side.

Keep it simple with this mango agua fresca! Lime and mango are a match made in heaven, and no sugar is required with a fresh mango bursting with sweetness! Pro tip: you can thaw frozen mango, too (they’re frozen at the peak of freshness and taste amazing).

Strawberry Ginger Agua Fresca

Strawberry ginger agua fresca surrouned by fresh strawberries, lime, and ginger.

Strawberries are a great lower glycemic index choice, as they’re full of fiber and natural sweetness. Pair with a bit of fresh ginger for a little zing that will keep each sip of this Strawberry Ginger Agua Fresca bright and refreshing!

Cantaloupe Basil Agua Fresca

Overhead picture of a glass of cantaloupe basil agua fresca with a pretty soft orange froth and basil garnish.

Cantaloupe is beautifully sweet on its own, and its flavors pair well with the herby sweetness of basil in this light and simple Cantaloupe Basil Agua Fresca!

Grape Agua Fresca

tall glass of vibrant dark purple grape agua fresca

This seems a little untraditional, but I’m not sure why because it WORKS! One sip of this Grape Agua Fresca beauty will have you realizing grapes were made for agua frescas!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Tall glass of watermelon agua fresca with watermelon and limes in the background.

And of course, one of the more common fruits used in agua frescas: watermelon! Full of hydration and sweetness, a watermelon agua fresca is the perfect refresher on a hot summer day.

More Healthy Beverages You’ll Love:

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and simple, healthy-ish recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

overhead shots of various brightly colored agua frescas

How to Make Agua Fresca

Learn how to make agua fresca, a simple, refreshing, non-alcoholic blended drink of fruit, lime, and water. They’re great for Cinco de Mayo and warm summertime fun!
free from: gluten, dairy, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, treenuts, peanuts
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 69kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fruit watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe work well
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp lime juice juice from 1/2 a lime

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend on high for 60 seconds, or until all ingredients are fully pureed.

Notes

Agua Fresca can be served immediately over ice, or can be chilled in the refrigerator up to 72 hours. If you’re making in advance, be sure to give it a good stir or shake before serving (there are no additives, so separation will occur!)
You can also choose to substitute coconut water for all or half of the water in the recipe to add additional subtle sweetness, flavor, and electrolytes. (Nutritional information may vary.)
Nutritional information will vary based on type of fruit used (this was calculated using a fresh fruit blend).

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 4.9mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.4mg

This post was originally published on May 3, 2018 but was edited and re-published on February 25, 2022.

Learn how to make agua fresca, a simple, refreshing, non-alcoholic blended drink of fruit, lime, and water. They're great for Cinco de Mayo and warm summertime fun!

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8 Comments

  1. Delicious! This was a perfect addition to our alchohol free Cinco de Mayo family celebration. We made the Strawberry Ginger, Cucumber Basil and a Guava basil. I added sweetness and a dash of cinnamon on top with a basil leaf.

  2. Has anyone made these with frozen fruit? I’d like to serve at a taco bar rehearsal dinner in November when summer fruits aren’t in season. Tia!

    1. I used frozen mango once and it was delicious! Just make sure the fruit is thawed first. And since it’s for a big event like a rehearsal dinner, I would try testing it out beforehand with the specific fruits/ brands of frozen fruit you’ll be using (sometimes I find the sweetness can vary a lot with different brands of frozen mango, frozen pineapple, and frozen berries). Good luck! (And if it’s your upcoming rehearsal dinner/ wedding – congrats!!)

  3. Can you freeze agua fresca? I made a variety: cucumber, apple, celery, carrot, carrot and apple, apple and beets. I did not use any sweetener. I used bottled water, and put the agua fresca back in the bottle. I put some bottles in the freezer… hopefully it tastes just as good when I thaw.

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