Liquados (licuado) and Agua Frescas

Liquados (licuados) are a Latin American handmade blended beverage similar to smoothies, made with milk, fruit, and usually ice. Liquados and other fresh fruit juice drinks are ubiquitous throughout Mexico. They are very easy to make, very healthy, and very refreshing. This simple preparation lends itself to any amount of variations, according to taste and to what is on hand.

Aguas frescas (Spanish for "fresh (cold) waters") are a combination of either fruits, cereals, or seeds,
and sugar and water, blended together to make a refreshing beverage. Although they originated and are most
common in Mexico, aguas frescas have also become popular in Central America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Some of the most popular flavors include agua de tamarindo (made with tamarind pods), agua de Jamaica (made with roselle), and agua de horchata (usually made with rice and cinnamon). They are usually not blended, but traditionally made without blenders and done by simply mashing the fruit with a fork or masher before adding the water and sweetener. The trick with making agua fresca (Spanish for "fresh water") is to infuse the water with fruit essence without turning it into a smoothie or slushy drink.

They are very simple preparations that should be lightly sweetened, healthy, and icy, icy cold.  I added a little Triple Sec to our Watermelon Liquado; it was a little less healthy, but extra delicious.


Peach Liquado

1 peach
1 cup milk
1/2 cup ice
1 tbsp. honey

Blend


Berry Liquado

1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup fresh berries
1 banana


Mango Liquado (without milk)
This recipe serves: 8

4 cups cubed, ripe mango
3 cups water
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
juice of 1 lemon
lime wedges for garnish

 In a blender, combine the mango and water and puree at high speed until smooth. Thin with more water if
desired, and add sugar and lemon juice to taste. Blend again and serve in tall glasses over ice with a
wedge of lime.

Serving Size: 1 tall glass

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Agua Fresca Recipe

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Serves 6

This light, refreshing drink popularized in Mexico is a terrific thirst quencher on a hot summer day. The
trick with making agua fresca (Spanish for "fresh water") is to infuse the water with fruit essence
without turning it into a smoothie or slushy drink. Feel free to experiment with other flavors such as
strawberry, mango, cantaloupe and honeydew.

Ingredients

6 to 8 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into 2-inch pieces (no rind)
2 cups cold water, divided
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey (more or less to taste)
Ice cubes
Lime slices and mint leaves for garnish

Method

Cut the watermelon flesh from the rind. In a blender, process half the watermelon pieces with 1 cup of
water until smooth. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher. Repeat the process with the remaining melon
and water. You should end up with about 8 cups of juice. Stir in the lime juice and agave. Pour into ice-
filled glasses and garnish with lime slices and mint.