Mexico is known for its vibrant food and drink culture. Tequila and mezcal may be the first things that come to mind when thinking about Mexican drinks, but the country has a wide variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that are popular and delicious. Here we’ll explore 5 of the top drinks hailing from Mexico.
1. Agua Fresca
Agua fresca simply means “fresh water” in Spanish, and these refreshing drinks truly live up to their name. Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic beverages made from whole fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds that are blended with sugar and water. Some of the most popular flavors include horchata, tamarind, jamaica, and lime. Horchata is made of soaked rice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Tamarind agua fresca has a sweet and sour taste. Jamaica agua fresca is created from dried hibiscus flowers and has a tart, cranberry-like flavor. Lime agua fresca is a classic combination of fresh lime juice, water, and sugar. Aguas frescas are often sold by street vendors in Mexico, especially during hot weather. They provide natural sweetness and fruit flavor to quench thirst on a hot day.
To make agua fresca, ingredients like fruit, rice, seeds, or flowers are soaked and then blended. The solids are then strained out. Sugar, lime, and water are added to taste. The resulting agua fresca bases can be served immediately, or they can be refrigerated and diluted with additional water when serving. Some key tips for the best aguas frescas are:
- Use ripe, in-season fruits
- Adjust sugar to taste
- Chill thoroughly before serving
- Serve over ice
- Garnish with fruit slices or mint
Making agua fresca is easy and affordable. You can use a variety of fresh ingredients based on what’s available. They are also highly customizable to your tastes – add more or less sugar, dilute to your preferred consistency, or use different ingredient combinations. Aguas frescas are delicious on their own, and they can also be used to create refreshing cocktails by adding rum or tequila. This simple Mexican drink truly quenches thirst on a hot day!
Popular Flavors
Some popular agua fresca flavors include:
- Horchata: Made with rice, cinnamon, vanilla
- Tamarind: Sweet and sour taste
- Jamaica: Made with hibiscus flowers
- Lime: Fresh lime juice with sugar and water
- Melon: Cantaloupe or watermelon
- Mango: Sweet mango flavor
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Watermelon: Bright and refreshing
Nutrition
One of the great things about aguas frescas is that they provide nutrients from whole fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs. For example:
- Orchata supplies carbohydrates from rice plus vitamins and minerals
- Jamaica agua fresca contains antioxidants from hibiscus
- Fruits like mango and pineapple provide vitamin C
- Herbs like mint add flavor and phytonutrients
Of course, the amount of added sugar should be monitored, but overall agua fresca can be a nutrient-dense beverage.
Where to Get Agua Fresca
Some places to try delicious agua fresca in Mexico include:
- Street food vendors and markets
- Taquerias and taco stands
- Local restaurants and cafes
- Resorts and hotels, especially poolside
- Theme parks
Look for aguas frescas made with fresh, in-season ingredients for the best flavor. They are widely available and offer a tasty way to stay hydrated.
2. Horchata
Horchata is one type of agua fresca made specifically with rice, cinnamon, and vanilla. It has its roots in Valencia, Spain but has become very popular in Mexico. The name “horchata” comes from the Latin word “hordeum” meaning barley, although most modern horchata is made without barley. Mexican horchata is dairy-free, getting its creamy texture from the rice.
To make horchata, long grain white rice is soaked overnight. The rice is then blended with water, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, sugar, and sometimes lime. The mixture is strained to remove the rice solids, resulting in a milky white beverage. Additional water and ice are added to serve. Horchata is delicious on its own or with added toppings like ground cinnamon or sliced almonds. For a treat, some dulce de leche or Mexican chocolate syrup can also be swirled in.
This cinnamon-infused drink is refreshing and nourishing. The rice provides carbohydrates, protein, iron, and B vitamins. While it does contain sugar, horchata can be a healthier alternative to soda or other sugary drinks. The cinnamon also adds a warming flavor that’s perfect any time of day.
Some key tips for making great horchata include:
- Soak the rice overnight to soften it
- Use additional water for a thinner consistency
- Add just a few cinnamon sticks to avoid overpowering flavor
- Serve chilled over ice
- Garnish with cinnamon or almonds
- Adjust sugar to taste
Horchata can be purchased from street vendors, cafes, taquerias, and restaurants in Mexico and throughout North America. However, making it at home is easy and allows you to control the ingredients. It’s the perfect drink to quench your thirst on a hot day.
Horchata vs Agua de Arroz
Horchata and agua de arroz are very similar rice-based drinks, but they have a few key differences:
- Horchata – Made with cinnamon and vanilla. Sweetened. Thicker texture.
- Agua de Arroz – No cinnamon or vanilla. Unsweetened. Thinner.
So horchata has a more sweet, spiced flavor compared to the plainer agua de arroz. Both drinks are refreshing options to beat the heat!
3. Jamaica
Mexico has many types of aguas frescas, and one uniquely Mexican variety is jamaica, made from dried hibiscus flowers. These flowers grow on hibiscus shrubs around the world, and they are known as “flor de jamaica” in Mexico.
To make jamaica agua fresca, the dried hibiscus flowers are boiled to extract their color and flavor. Once cooled, the flowers are strained out and the remaining liquid is sweetened with sugar. Additional water and ice are added before serving. The final beverage has a deep crimson color and tart, cranberry-like flavor.
Hibiscus flowers are high in antioxidants like anthocyanins that give them their red color. Jamaica agua fresca makes for a tart, refreshing drink that is also good for you. The brightness of the hibiscus flavor pairs particularly well with Mexican food like tacos and enchiladas.
Some tips for excellent jamaica agua fresca include:
- Use dried hibiscus flowers, not powders or concentrates
- Boil the flowers to extract full flavor and color
- Sweeten to taste – it should have a tart edge
- Serve chilled with ice
- Garnish with lime or orange slice
To change it up, try adding flavors like lime juice, ginger, or star anise when boiling the flowers. Jamaica can also be used to make chilled tea, cocktails, or popsicles. No matter how it’s served, this vibrant Mexican drink is sure to be a refreshing crowd-pleaser.
Where to Find Jamaica Agua Fresca
Some places to try refreshing jamaica agua fresca in Mexico include:
- Street food carts and markets
- Local restaurants and taquerias
- Botanero gardens
- Mercados and food halls
- Hotels and resorts
Look for jamaica agua fresca made with real dried hibiscus flowers, not powders or concentrates. It’s a specialty drink found across Mexico that offers a tasty dose of antioxidants.
4. Margarita
No list of Mexican drinks is complete without the classic margarita cocktail. This refreshing blend of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice is synonymous with Mexican culture. The origins of the margarita are disputed, but one legend claims it was invented in 1938 by a Dallas socialite named Margarita Sames while vacationing in Acapulco. The recipe spread north and became popular in the U.S. before taking off globally.
To make a margarita:
- Rub a lime wedge around a glass and dip in salt
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
- Add tequila, orange liqueur like Cointreau, and fresh lime juice
- Shake vigorously and strain into the salt-rimmed glass
- Garnish with a lime wedge
This combination creates a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. While the margarita is often associated with cheap mixes and giant frozen drinks, quality ingredients like 100% agave tequila make for the best version. Many restaurants and bars in Mexico serve excellent margaritas on the rocks or straight up.
Beyond the classic, there are many popular margarita variations including:
- Frozen – Blended with ice
- Spicy – With jalapeños or chili powder
- Fruit – Strawberry, mango, peach, etc
- Skinny – Lower sugar
- Cadillac – Float of Grand Marnier
- Paloma – Grapefruit soda instead of OJ liqueur
No matter which rendition, the margarita is a classic Mexican cocktail and international favorite perfect for fiestas. The refreshing citrus flavor makes it a go-to summer drink. Just be sure to sip responsibly!
Where to Find Great Margaritas in Mexico
Some top spots for excellent margaritas in Mexico include:
- La Perla bar in Cabo – famous frozen margarita
- Casa Kimberly in Puerto Vallarta – Elizabeth Taylor’s former home
- Margarita rooftop bar in Playa del Carmen
- Rooftop bars and beach clubs in Tulum
- El Califa taqueria in Mexico City – extensive margarita menu
Look for bars using 100% agave tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Mexico serves up some of the world’s best margaritas!
5. Michelada
The michelada is Mexico’s take on a beer cocktail. It’s made by combining beer with assorted sauces, spices, and lime juice. The exact recipe can vary, but common ingredients include:
- Mexican beer like Pacifico, Modelo, Victoria, or Tecate
- Fresh lime juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce like Cholula or Tapatio
- Sea salt or chili powder
- Tomato juice or Clamato
To make a michelada:
- Fill a chilled beer mug with ice
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over ice and add a dash of Worcestershire and hot sauce
- Pour in Mexican beer of choice
- Stir gently to combine
- Rub rim with lime and dip in salt or chili powder
- Add ice and enjoy!
The lime, salt, heat, and savory flavors balance out the light beer taste. A michelada is often garnished with tomato, bell pepper, cucumber sticks, or shrimp. It’s typically served in a frosted mug to keep it ice cold.
This savory beer cocktail is perfect for hot days, cutting the richness of Mexican food, or lazy Sunday brunches. It provides salty, spicy refreshment when a beer alone just won’t do. Plus, the variety of ingredients allows for customization based on your tastes – amp up the heat or add a dash of Maggi sauce if desired.
Micheladas originated in Mexico but have spread in popularity across North America. They can often be found on Mexican restaurant menus, at sporting events, and backyard cookouts. A michelada makes a full-flavored, thirst-quenching addition to any fiesta.
Popular Michelada Variations
Some popular michelada combinations include:
- Original/classica – lime, Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt
- Chelada – just lime and salt
- Chamoyada – with chamoy sauce
- Campechana – clamato instead of tomato juice
- Roja – with red hot sauce
- Verde – with green hot sauce
The basic lime juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce make a classic michelada. But the possibilities are endless for customizing this beer cocktail to your personal tastes!
Conclusion
Mexico has so much more to offer than just tequila and mezcal when it comes to delicious drinks. From refreshing aguas frescas like horchata and jamaica to classic cocktails like the margarita and michelada, Mexican beverages are flavorful and diverse. Sipping local drinks is a key part of experiencing the culture and cuisine.
Aguas frescas like horchata and jamaica provide natural sweetness from fruits, grains, and flowers. Micheladas give a savory, spicy twist to Mexican beer. And no visit is complete without sampling an authentic margarita made with quality ingredients. There are endless variations to discover and customize to your tastes.
So next time you’re in Mexico, be sure to go beyond the usual stereotypes and try some of these tasty local beverages. The flavors will transport you right into the vibrant heart of Mexican culture! What drink are you most excited to try?