← BlogJune 28, 2026

How to Make the Perfect Agua de Mango

Mexican · Easy · 10 min · 6 servings

vegangluten-freedairy-free
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Agua de mango is a luscious and tropical Mexican mango agua fresca blended from ripe sweet mangoes with lime juice, chili powder, and water for a bold and complex flavor. This popular Mexican drink combines the sweetness of fresh mango with a spicy lime kick that mirrors the classic street food combination found throughout Mexico.

Why this recipe works

This Agua de Mango recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 10 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 85 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

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What you will need

This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:

  • 4 cups fresh ripe mango chunks peeled and pitted
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 0.25 teaspoon chili powder or tajin

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Blend the Mango

Peel and pit the ripe mangoes and cut the flesh into chunks. Add to a blender with 2 cups of the cold water and blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Strain and Transfer

Pour the blended mango through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing firmly to extract all the juice and leaving behind any fibrous mango strings.

Step 3: Season and Serve

Add the remaining cold water, fresh lime juice, sugar, and chili powder to the pitcher and stir well until combined. Taste and adjust the heat and sweetness, then serve over ice with a chili salt rim and lime wedge.

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Easy substitutions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:

  • fresh mango → frozen mango chunks thawed as a convenient and budget-friendly year-round option
  • chili powder → omit entirely for a classic sweet tropical mango agua fresca without heat

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:

  • Using underripe mango results in a sour and flavorless drink so choose mangoes that are soft to the touch and fragrant
  • Adding chili powder directly to a single glass first is smarter than adding to the whole pitcher in case guests prefer no heat

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 85 calories, 1g protein, 21g carbs, 0g fat, 1g fiber.

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