How to Make the Perfect Agua de Cebada Barley Water
Mexican · Easy · 60 min · 6 servings
Agua de cebada is a traditional Mexican barley water drink made by simmering pearl barley with cinnamon and sweetening with sugar for a soothing and nutritious beverage. This easy barley agua fresca recipe has been used for centuries as a digestive aid and cooling summer drink throughout Latin America.
Why this recipe works
This Agua de Cebada Barley Water recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 110 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup pearl barley rinsed
- 6 cups water
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 whole lime juiced
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Barley
Add the rinsed pearl barley, cinnamon sticks, and 6 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce to a medium simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the barley is very soft and the water is milky white.
Step 2: Sweeten and Cool
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the sugar while the barley water is still hot to ensure it dissolves completely. Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks then allow the mixture to cool for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Strain the Barley Water
Pour the cooled barley mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher pressing firmly on the cooked barley to extract all the starchy flavorful liquid. Discard the cooked barley solids.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Stir in the fresh lime juice and taste for sweetness. Refrigerate until cold then serve over ice for a refreshing and digestive health promoting agua fresca.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- pearl barley → hulled barley for a more nutritious high fiber version of this agua fresca
- sugar → agave syrup for a lower glycemic sweetener option
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not rinsing the barley before cooking which results in a cloudy bitter tasting barley water instead of a clean mild flavored drink
- Straining while the mixture is too hot which makes it difficult to handle safely and can cause the strainer to warp
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 110 calories, 3g protein, 24g carbs, 0g fat, 2g fiber.
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