Learn how to make authentic Mexican Agua Fresca de Tamarindo, aka Tamarindo Drink. Made with tamarind pods, this soda alternative is a refreshing sweet and sour 3-ingredient drink full of vitamins and minerals.
Aguas frescas are by far my favorite way to cool down during the warmer weather months and I believe you will like them too. You can make an agua fesca 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 Tamarindo Drink 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.
Why use tamarind pods?
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 Market 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 with just 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 (Tamarind0 Drink) from SoFabFood Home Chef, 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. For daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!
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