Learn how to make Agua Fresca de Tamarindo (Tamarind Water) just like they do in Mexico. Made with tamarind pods, this refreshing drink has a sweet and tangy flavor you will love.
Summer is not over yet, and even when the kids are ready to go back to school, we can still enjoy a few more weeks of warm weather. That means fun outdoor activities and refreshing beverages to cool us down. Aguas frescas are by far my favorite way to do that and I believe you will like them too. You can make them with any seasonal fruit and most of the time, you don’t even need to use sugar to sweeten them.
We spent some of our summer break in Mexico. This tamarind water is one of the most popular aguas frescas in Mexican homes and restaurants. It has a sweet and tangy flavor we love and you only need three ingredients to make it.
These tart and tangy pods are so versatile. You can use tamarind to make not only water, but also candy and sauces. Find tamarind pods in any Latino or even Asian Markets next to the spices and chiles. They have a dry and crunchy outer shell that is really easy to peel off before you use them.
If tamarind water sounds good to you, I invite you to make ice pops! It is the same recipe, but using a little less water. You will love the thicker texture of the tamarind pulp in them. Kids in Mexico and Latin America love ice pops or paletas. It is a fun way to cool down during the summer. Another way to enjoy this drink, is using club soda instead of simple water. The fizzy flavor is always a fun alternative.
Ingredients
- 15 dry tamarind pods
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 9 cups water
Instructions
- Peel outer shell of tamarind pods and devein.
- In a sauce pan, place tamarind pods and 1½ cups of water.
- Bring tamarind pods and water to boil, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Using a potato masher, mash tamarind pods directly into the sauce pan to get pulp off the seeds. Discard the seeds.
- Strain pulp into a pitcher, add the rest of the water and mix.
- Add the sugar and mix well. Serve tamarind water in a glass over ice.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: While you can use the potato masher to mash tamarind pods, I like to use my hands because it is faster, just let the tamarind cool down before you do it. It's messier, but so worth it. Just squish the tamarinds until pulp is off the seeds.
We hope you love this recipe for Agua Fresca de Tamarindo (Tamarind Water) from SoFabFood Contributor, Blanca from Una Mexicana en USA, as much as we do. If you enjoyed this delightful recipe, stop by our Drinks section to find more like it and subscribe to our newsletter so that you never miss another tasty recipe. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and stop by our Google+ Community to see all of the amazing recipes our members are sharing. Enjoy!
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