Fresh juice coolers: these Mexican drinks are easy to make at home

Sunset, August, 2004 by Charity Ferreira

You've probably admired them at your favorite Mexican restaurant: the big glass jars in a bed of crushed ice, filled with pretty, jewel-toned aguas frescas waiting to be ladled into ice-filled glasses. These lightly sweetened, juicy drinks are quick to make at home, and they're a fun choice for cooling off a party in hot weather. With their combination of fresh seasonal fruit, a hint of tangy lime juice, and plenty of ice, aguas frescas offer sweet summer refreshment.

Melon Agua Fresca

PREP TIME: About 10 minutes, plus at least 1 hour to chill

MAKES: About 2 1/2 quarts

NOTES: Very ripe cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon all make delicious aguas frescas.

  5  cups cubed peeled, seeded melon (from about 3 lb. melon; see
     notes)
1/2  to 3/4 cup sugar
1/3  to 1/2 cup lime juice

In a blender, whirl melon, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 cup water until very smooth. Pour into a large pitcher (at least 3 qt.). Whisk in 1/3 cup lime juice, 7 cups water, and more sugar and lime juice to taste. Chill until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day. Serve over ice.

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Per cup: 64 cal., 3% (1.8 cal.) from fat; 0.6 g protein; 0.2 g fat (0 g sat.); 16 g carbo (0.5 g fiber); 7.5 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.

Papaya Agua Fresca

PREP TIME: About 10 minutes, plus at least 1 hour to chill

MAKES: About 2 1/2 quarts

NOTES: Look for large, ripe Mexican papayas at produce or Latin markets (the skin turns orange as the fruit ripens). Don't worry about blemishes; often the ripest, sweetest Mexican papayas have bruises or dark spots on the skin.

  5  cups cubed ripe Mexican papaya (from about 3 lb. Papaya; see notes)
1/2  to 3/4 cup sugar
1/3  to 1/2 cup lime juice

Follow directions for melon agua fresca, preceding.

Per cup: 76 cal., 1% (0.9 cal.) from fat; 0.6 g protein; 0.1 g fat (0 g sat.); 19 g carbo (0.8 g fiber); 4.1 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.

Strawberry Agua Fresca

PREP TIME: About 10 minutes, plus at least 1 hour to chill

MAKES: About 2 1/2 quarts

  5  cups hulled, rinsed strawberries (about 1 1/2 lb.)
1/2  to 3/4 cup sugar
1/3  cup lime juice

Follow directions for melon agua fresca, preceding, but press blended strawberry mixture through a fine strainer (discard residue from strainer) into a tall pitcher before whisking in remaining ingredients.

Per cup: 63 cal., 4% (2.7 cal.) from fat; 0.5 g protein; 0.3 g fat (0 g sat.); 16 g carbo (0 g fiber); 2.1 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES CARRIER