agua fresca

noun

agua fres·​ca ˈä-gwə-ˈfre-skə 

plural aguas frescas ˈä-gwəz-ˈfre-skəz  or less commonly agua frescas

: a beverage consisting of water and sugar with fruits, grains, or seeds added for flavoring

Tamarind is one of the most common flavors of agua fresca in Mexico …

—Fany Gerson

Most lime aguas frescas in Mexico City taste like a tangier version of lemonade. My recipe is slightly different, as it uses brown sugar instead of white …

—Lesley Téllez

These flashy agua frescas are served in barrel-shaped cups topped with fruit …

—Fielding Buck

… an agua fresca served in a quart Mason jar.

—Alison Cook

Examples of agua fresca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just sit at the bar and drink a passionfruit agua fresca. L’Ostrica Location: 4701 Park Rd D, Charlotte, NC 28209 Instagram: @lostrica_clt Cat Carter and chef Eric Ferguson’s tasting menus are more than meets the eye at L’Ostrica. —Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2025

No-mosa classic or fresca: Lyre’s sparkling with agua fresca or fresh OJ (brunch only). —Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025

To make the agua fresca: Blend cucumber, honeydew, mint, sugar, and water until smooth, then strain. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Shake gin and agua fresca with ice, strain into a Collins glass filled with ice, and top with sparkling water. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Another is a tart take on an agua fresca served in a chamoy- and Tajín-rimmed glass. —Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

The meat eaters can try the Venga street tacos ($12) — classically made with barbacoa, onions and cilantro. Bonus: On your drive home, stop at Pepe's Cafe in Ozona for the catfish tacos and a giant agua fresca. —Megan Stringer, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024

Don’t forget to order agua fresca to wash it all down. —Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from American Spanish, literally, "cool water"

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above