With the mercury finally rising, we are undoubtedly in for another scorching summer. So what are you to reach for when trying to beat the summer heat? May I suggest grabbing some fresh seasonal fruit and mixing yourself up some homemade agua fresca. A staple in Mexican culture with a basic recipe of fruit, water, and sugar, agua frescas are slowly gaining popularity on this side of the border. So when Kriska asked me to help come up with drinks for a fiesta themed engagement party, an agua fresca bar was a no-brainer. The best part is that they are fairly easy to make, and all you need is a trusty blender and a mesh strainer or cheese cloth for that refreshing taste!
For the party, I chose to make a mango-pineapple and a tres citricos (three citrus) option, as I thought that the flavors would go great with the taco bar. However, you can let your imagination run wild with any fruit combination you desire!
Mango-Pineapple (makes ~2 liters)
- 4 cups chopped pineapple
- 4 cups diced mango
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- basil leaves (optional)
Place fruit, sugar, and a few basil leaves with 2 cups of water in a blender and blend well. Strain through a mesh or cheese cloth into a punch bowl or pitcher, add water and chill well before serving. For a thinner consistency, strain multiple times.
Tres Citricos (makes ~2 liters)
- 5 lb navel oranges
- 4 lb of blood oranges
- 1 lb limes
- 2 cups of water
- 1/4 cup of sugar
Juice all citrus fruits and strain through a mesh or cheese cloth into a punch bowl or pitcher. Add water, stir, and chill well before serving.
Other Essential Tools:
If you’re looking to expand your bar, here are a couple of handy tools I recently added to mine. Most retail stores sell these two items, but I’ve linked up a couple of sites by clicking on the picture if you’d like to purchase on-line!
These non-alcoholic beverages will be sure to please your guests at any summer get together. However, if you’re like me and imbibing is one of your favorite hobbies, agua frescas can serve as a great base/mixer. For a refreshing, thirst-quenching adult beverage, just add a shot of your liquor of choice or top it off with some bubbly!
These drink tips and post recommended by Manny!
cltremedy.com 