Na'atik's Favorite Aguas Frescas
Aguas frescas are a part of daily life here in the Mexican-Maya town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. These refreshing drinks are usually made by blending fruit, water and sugar but sometimes they get more creative by adding vegetables, leaves, grains, and flowers to the mix. Here are just a few of Na’atik’s favorites.
JamaicaPronounced “ha-MY-ka”, this sweet but slightly tart floral drink is made from dried hibiscus flowers. You’ll find it in most restaurants in town and you can also pick up some flor de jamaica from the local market so you can prepare your own. Your homestay family will happily show you how to make the best agua de jamaica.
HorchataMade with soaked rice grains, water, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, horchata can be traced back to North Africa, where it was made with ground tiger nuts. In the 8th century, the Moors introduced the drink to Spain. It was then brought to Mexico during the conquest where rice grains were used instead of tiger nuts. Regularly enjoyed by Na’atik team, this delicious drink is best served chilled over ice.
Pitahaya Here in the Yucatán, the season for pitahaya – dragon fruit – runs throughout the summer. A bright pink fruit, pitahaya is perfect for making delicious aguas frescas! The fruit comes from a cactus plant that also produces stunning trumpet-like flowers that bloom for just one night and are loved for their pollen by bats, moths and bees.
Chaya and pineappleMade from piña (pineapple) and chaya, a local leafy green vegetable similar to spinach, this agua fresca is a firm favorite of Na’atik’s cooking teacher, Isabel. She loves teaching our students how to make it. And did you know that chaya is considered a superfood? It has more micronutrients than spinach and double the protein of most leafy greens!
Tamarindo Tamarindo is best enjoyed when it’s made fresh with tamarind pods or pulp, although a delicious concentrated version is available in local stores. Tamarind was introduced by colonists in the 16th century and has gone on to become a staple ingredient in many Mexican recipes. This agua fresca has a sweet, earthy flavor and it also happens to be a favorite of Maestro Joe. There are, of course, many other agua fresca flavors and variations such as melón (cantaloupe), sandía (watermelon), limonada, naranjada (sweet orange), pepino y limón (cucumber and lime), naranja y zanahoria (orange and carrot), and many more.
Where to find aguas frescas You can find them everywhere! Restaurants, loncherías (snack bars) and taquerías all serve aguas frescas. Tamarindo, horchata and jamaica are the most common. Your Na’atik host family will also give you an agua fresca with your daily meals. One of our favorite places to buy these drinks is at the store, La Mestizita, located across from the plaza where you can take your own bottle to be filled!
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The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.