Agua de Tamarindo (Tamarindo Drink) + VIDEO

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Agua de Tamarindo (also called Tamarindo Drink) is a tangy and sweet Mexican beverage. This delicious drink is easy to make and a great thirst quencher for a hot day.

You know it’s summer when all the agua frescas come out.

My favorites are Cucumber Agua Fresca, Agua de Jamaica, and this one!

Homemade tamarind juice is a classic, popular drink, and not hard to make either. Slightly tangy. Sweet. Delicious!

You can use fresh tamarind pods or, for a much quicker method, tamarind paste (aka tamarind concentrate). However, fresh is best. And you can always adjust the amount of water.

What is Tamarind?

The tamarind tree is native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, but you will also see it in tropical climates like Mexico and South America.

The tree produces pods of fruit that are sweet and sour. It is often used in Indian cuisines. Street vendors in Asian markets and throughout Mexico will sell the pod or sour drink.

It has many health benefits and contains antioxidants and vitamins that may support the immune system. There are studies that show it is good for the heart and helps with weight loss.

In Mexico, tamarind is often found in candy and soft drinks. 

Instructions:

• The first step of this traditional method is to remove the outer shell from the tamarind pods.
• Place the peeled tamarind pods in a pot and cover them with several cups of water.
• Bring to a boil. Then let them cool.

The tamarind shell is like a peanut shell. It snaps, but the fleshy part inside is sticky. So, some of the hard brown shell might stick to the flesh.

Try to take off as much as you can. If some stays, no problemo. We’re going to strain everything later. 

Tamarind pod can be hard to find at the store. Look for them in Asian or Mexican grocery stores. Buy tamarind online.

• Strain the tamarind pulp.
• Once cool, separate the membranes, fibrous strings, and seeds from the mushy flesh.
• Use a cooking spoon to push out the juice.
• Add the tamarind mixture to a blender.

Messy but needs to be done. It will look like mush, but that’s exactly what you want.

Get the kids involved

Grab a few children, or borrow one from the overworked mother next door. They’ll love working with this mess. It’s got that mushy kind of satisfaction that kids just love – like Play-Doh or making mud pies.

• Blend until smooth.
• Add fresh water and the tamarind water to a large pitcher.
• Sugar is to taste.
• Mix to combine.

For a low-sugar drink, you can swap out the sugar for Stevia or other sugar substitutes.

Pro Tips:

• If it’s too strong, add additional water to the tamarind water.
• Stir before serving. The fruit likes to settle on the bottom.
• Start with just some sugar then add more until you get to the taste you like. Some people add a little lime juice to give it a more sour flavor.
• For a party, make the tamarind juice and save it for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, on the day of the party, simply add water and sugar.

More Agua Fresca Recipes

• Pineapple Banana Agua Fresca
• Agua de Melon
• Watermelon Agua Fresca
• Pineapple Agua Fresca
• Spiked Agua de Pepino
• Agua de Platano 

Pour the tamarind drink into a cup with lots of ice. It goes great with any of your favorite Mexican recipes.  

Agua de Tamarindo is a refreshing drink for a hot summer day. This tasty drink is one of the healthy recipes that will tickle your tastebuds as well.

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Agua de Tamarindo, or Tamarind Water

Agua de Tamarindo (Tamarindo Drink) is a popular and well-loved agua fresca. You only need 3 ingredients to make this tangy, sweet, and refreshing Mexican beverage.

5 from 50 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 cups

Calories: 101kcal

Author: Maggie Unzueta

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Ingredients

• ▢ 15 pieces tamarind pods
• ▢ 12 cups water divided
• ▢ 1 cup sugar or, to taste

Instructions

• Peel the tamarind.
• Add the peeled tamarind and 3 cups of water to a large pot.
• Boil for 5-8 minutes.
• Turn off heat and let cool.
• Once cooled, using clean hands, squeeze the mushy pods to separate the flesh and the seeds.
• Strain the tamarind juice from the seeds and flesh.
• Use a spoon to push against the strainer to extract as much of the tamarind juice from the flesh and the seeds as possible.
• Add the strained tamarind juice to a blender.
• Blend the juice for 1 minute.
• Add the remaining water to a large pitcher, the blended juice, and sugar to taste.
• Serve over ice.
• Enjoy!

Video

Notes

If it’s too strong, add more water to the tamarindo drink.

Stir before serving. The fruit likes to settle on the bottom.

Start with just some sugar then add more until you get to the taste you like.

For a party, make the tamarind juice and save for up to 3 days in the fridge. Then, the day of the party, simply add water and sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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