Aqua Fresca: Mango

Aqua Fresca is something I had in our office cafeteria about 5 years ago. Nice lemonade dispenser filled with ice and orange colored liquid with bold label 'Aqua Fresca: Papaya'. As always, I was ready to taste it. Nice refreshing fruit flavored water which was little too sweet for me. Everyday I would see what flavor and color they have and try a sip and take more if I like the flavor. Colors were something I instantly fell in love with, red for watermelon(sandia), pale orange for cantaloupe(melon), pale green for honeydew, bright yellow for mango. They also served horchata(cinnamon rice milk) once in a while.

I also remember googling for 'aqua fresca' and finding the recipe. Its from Mexico and is easily available at the roadside almost everywhere. Recipe was simple enough to make it immediately. Since then I make it on hot summer days and sip sitting on the patio and looking at the birds and squirrels in the backyard. Here is my favorite flavor - mango! I think it is a good way to enjoy the fruit.


Aqua Fresca Mango

2 small ripe mango (yields 1 cups of juice)
4 cups water
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp Agave Nectar (per taste)


Preparation -

Blend everything together for 3-4 minutes. Adjust sweetness per taste. Chill for couple of hours before serving. Add couple of small ice cubes to the glass before serving. Enjoy on hot sunny day with light meal or as afternoon cooler.

Tips -

1. You can use sugar instead of Agave Nectar.
   
2. You can use almost any fruit for this, but fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, papaya, mango, pineapple, pink guava are more traditional.
   

This thirst quencher is on its way to Srivalli's Mango Mela! I am also sending it to one of my favorite event, Food In Color, brainchild of Harini and currently hosted at Nithya's Culinary Odyssey.