Quench your thirst with a citrusy and sweet-tasting Agua de Tamarindo.
Mixing fruits, sugar, honey and other sweetened ingredients with a fresh, cold drink of water is nothing new. In fact, all the world over people have been doing just that long before recorded history. Folks love flavor and discovering new and tasty ones as well. Tonight’s recipe has stood the test of time, and after you take a few sips, you’ll see why.
While tamarind itself is native to Africa and grows in many Asian countries, the Agua de Tamarindo drink has its origins in Mexico. During the 16th-century colonial period, tamarind was introduced to the nation and has since become part of the cuisine in many of its dishes, with today’s beverage being one tasty example. With the citrus-like and caramel-esque flavor found in tamarind, when it is prepared and mixed with sugar and water, the result is a satisfying and cooling thirst-quencher, especially during the hot and sweaty months of summer.
You don’t have to travel south of the border either to try and discover this delicious and unique tasting elixir. Many bodegas and delis from New York to Los Angeles offer and sell colorful homemade concoctions, often reminding many of the homes they grew up in. And if you unfortunately don’t live in a city with a diverse and beautiful melting pot of cultures, the recipe below can bring those vibes to your own home to enjoy.
What is the best alcohol to use in an Agua de Tamarindo?
This is a non-alcoholic mixture, so no booze, liquor, liqueur, spirit or any type of hooch is needed to craft this sipper. All that’s required is tamarind pods, water and sugar, plus some limes for garnish and a little extra zip. Of course, if you were to put a little blanco tequila in yours, it’d probably have a nice, peppery bite on the finish.
Ingredients
- 15 tamarind pods
- 6 cups water for boiling
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups water for mixing
- Lime wedges for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Peel the tamarind pods by removing the outer shells and as many stringy fibers as possible.
- In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the peeled tamarind pods, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the liquid to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour.
- Once cool, use your hands to squeeze out the pulp. Discard the seeds and any extra fibers.
- Place the extracted pulp in a blender with the granulated sugar and blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Add the remaining 6 cups of water and stir well. Serve over ice, garnished with a lime wedge if desired.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
When you’re ready to pour and serve this drink for yourself and others, fill some rocks glasses with ice, then garnish the prepped beverages with some plump lime wedges on top.
Is there commercially produced Agua de Tamarindo?
Yes, in fact, some brands like Fiesta and Goya produce concentrate or drink mix that you can purchase, and there are also cans of carbonated Agua de Tamarindo that you can procure as well.
Similar beverages to the Agua de Tamarindo
In the heat of the day, when your throat is dry and you’re craving some liquid relief, a boozy beverage will only dehydrate you and make your thirst worse. Drinks like the Agua de Tamarindo are alcohol-free and offer cooling, spiritless refreshment. Twist & Toast has a few other recipes that will cool you down and reinvigorate your senses, like these below.
- Agua Fresca – Fruity and fresh, this drink is like a cool breeze.
- Brazilian Lemonade – This sweet, smooth treat is perfect for the whole family.
- Agua de Pepino – Cucumbers and sugar help make this water delectable.
- Cucumber Water – Lemon slices combine with cucumbers to make this crisp and refreshing concoction.
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