How to Make the Perfect Agua de Tamarindo Tamarind Agua Fresca
Mexican · Easy · 15 min · 6 servings
Agua de Tamarindo is a tangy and complex Mexican tamarind drink made by dissolving tamarind paste in cold water and sweetening to balance its intense sourness into a uniquely addictive and refreshing beverage. This traditional tamarind agua fresca recipe has a deep reddish-brown color and a bold sour-sweet flavor profile that is absolutely distinctive among all Mexican drinks.
Why this recipe works
This Agua de Tamarindo Tamarind Agua Fresca recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 80 calories with 1g 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:
- 0.5 cup tamarind paste or tamarind concentrate
- 6 cups cold water divided
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Dissolve the Tamarind
Place tamarind paste in a large pitcher and add 2 cups of warm water. Stir vigorously and break up the paste with a spoon until it dissolves as completely as possible, about 3 minutes.
Step 2: Strain Out Seeds and Fibers
Pour the tamarind mixture through a fine mesh strainer into another pitcher or bowl, pressing firmly to extract all the tamarind liquid. Discard any seeds and fibrous matter.
Step 3: Sweeten and Balance
Stir in the sugar, lime juice, salt, and remaining 4 cups of cold water. Mix very well until the sugar dissolves completely. Tamarind is very sour so taste carefully and add more sugar as needed.
Step 4: Serve Over Ice
Pour into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately. Agua de Tamarindo is also excellent with a tajin rim and an extra lime wedge for squeezing.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- tamarind paste → tamarind pods soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and then squeezed to extract pulp for the most authentic flavor
- granulated sugar → piloncillo dissolved in the warm water with the tamarind for a deeper molasses-like sweetness
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not adding enough sugar to balance the extreme tartness of tamarind resulting in an unpleasantly sour drink that nobody will enjoy
- Skipping the straining step which leaves fibrous strings and hard seeds in the finished drink creating a very unpleasant texture
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 80 calories, 1g protein, 20g carbs, 0g fat, 1g fiber.
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