Tamarind Agua Fresca (Sweet-Sour Tamarind Drink)
Why this recipe works
- Bright and refreshing: Tamarind brings a naturally tangy, fruity sharpness that stays clean and thirst-quenching when diluted with cold water.
- Balanced sweet-sour flavour: Sugar softens the tamarind’s acidity, while lime sharpens the finish without making the drink heavy.
- Fast to prepare: A short steep and simple straining step extract plenty of flavour without long simmering or specialist equipment.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Tamarind pulp: Use plain tamarind pulp rather than a pre-sweetened concentrate so you can control the sweetness and dilution yourself.
- Adjust the sugar gradually: Tamarind varies in sharpness, so dissolve the sugar fully, taste, then sweeten further only if needed.
- Use lime for lift: A squeeze of lime brightens the drink and gives it a cleaner finish, especially if serving it well chilled.
Timing notes
- Best served cold: Serve straight over ice for a quick drink, or chill the strained agua fresca first for a brighter, cleaner flavour.
- Let the steep cool slightly: After steeping, allow the tamarind mixture to settle briefly before straining so it is easier to press through the sieve.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the jug ahead: The strained, sweetened drink can be kept chilled in a sealed jug for up to 3 days.
- Stir before pouring: Tamarind can settle as it stands, so stir well before serving over fresh ice.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put 250 ml of the water into a saucepan and bring just to a simmer, then take off the heat. Add the tamarind pulp and leave to steep for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice to help it loosen.
- Set a sieve over a mixing bowl and strain the tamarind mixture, pressing firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids left in the sieve.
- Whisk in the caster sugar until fully dissolved, then whisk in the remaining 500 ml water. Squeeze in the lime and taste, adding a little more water if you want it lighter.
- Divide the ice cubes between 4 glasses and pour over the tamarind agua fresca. Serve straight away, or chill first for a cleaner, brighter finish.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the cleanest drink, strain twice: once through a sieve, then again through the same sieve rinsed clean.
- If you prefer it less sweet, start with half the caster sugar, dissolve it, then add more to taste.
- For a stronger tang, add a little extra lime and reduce the dilution slightly.
Substitutions
- Replace caster sugar with agave syrup for a softer sweetness; add it gradually and whisk well to dissolve.
- Replace lime with lemon for a slightly sharper citrus finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store the strained, sweetened drink in a sealed jug in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, then pour over fresh ice cubes.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 glasses
- Total time: 10min (10min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Latin American
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