Agua de nuez is one of those comforting Mexican drinks that feels both refreshing and indulgent at the same time. It’s made by blending nuts with water, a touch of sugar, and sometimes milk or condensed milk for extra creaminess.
The beauty of this agua de nuez recipe is that you can switch it up however you like. Walnuts give it a deep, earthy taste, but you can also use pecans for a softer, buttery flavor or hazelnuts for something a little more indulgent.
Some people like to add vanilla, but I love using hazelnut extract, it makes the flavor even more luxurious.
And if you want a dairy-free version, you can swap out the milk for oat or almond milk and use a natural sweetener like piloncillo or honey.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Easy to make: This agua de nuez is super simple to prepare, requiring just a handful of ingredients and only a few quick steps. No complicated techniques, just blend and mix your way to a delicious agua fresca drink.
- Easy to store: Once you’ve made a batch, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for making ahead, and you can enjoy it throughout the week with minimal effort—just stir and serve when you’re ready!
- Kids approved: The creamy, sweet flavor is a big hit with kids. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or just for a special treat, you can count on it being enjoyed by the little ones (and the big ones too!).
- Perfect for parties: Whether it’s a summer BBQ, a casual get-together, or a holiday celebration, agua de nuez is the perfect drink to serve at any party. It’s unique, refreshing, and sure to impress your guests. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce people to the flavors of Mexico!
How To Make Agua de Nuez Step By Step
Heat a comal or griddle over medium-low heat and toss in the walnuts. Stir constantly for about 4–5 minutes until they become fragrant.
Don’t walk away, nuts go from perfectly toasted to burnt in seconds!
Once toasted, remove ½ cup and set aside. Then add the whole nuts to a bowl and cover them with boiling water.
Let them soak for 20–30 minutes. This softens them up and helps create that silky texture.
Drain the soaked nuts and add them to a blender along with 2 cups of water and the cinnamon.
Blend until completely smooth—this is where the magic happens!
Pour the walnut mixture into a large pitcher, then add the evaporated milk, condensed milk, hazelnut extract (if using), and the remaining 6 cups of water.
Stir everything together until well combined. Give it a taste, if you’d like it sweeter, add a bit of sugar or more condensed milk.
Roughly chop the ½ cup of nuts you reserved before and add them to the pitcher for a little texture. Mix to combine.
Add some ice to your serving glasses and pour your agua de nuez to fill them. Enjoy right away.
This walnut/pecan drink is creamy, nutty, and just the right amount of sweet, perfect for cooling down on a warm day or just treating yourself to something deliciously nostalgic.
A Few Tips
- If you want you can blanch the nuts after soaking them. Just peel off the skins before blending them.
- If you want a silkier texture, strain the mixture before adding the chopped nuts. I like to use a fine sieve or a cheese cloth for this.
- If you want to keep your beverage perfectly smooth and not watered down, add ice directly to the glasses, not the pitcher. That way, the drink stays rich and creamy without the ice diluting the flavor as it melts. Plus, it looks extra pretty when served in glasses with a few ice cubes floating on top!
- Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and shake or stir before serving.
- If you’re storing it for later, I recommend using a glass pitcher with a tight-fitting lid to prevent the drink from absorbing any smells from other foods in the fridge.
Serve Agua Fresca de Nuez With
Agua de nuez is the perfect drink to complement hearty, flavorful dishes. Here are my favorites, try them and let me know if you enjoyed those pairings!
For a deliciously satisfying meal, serve it with carne asada. The smoky, grilled beef pairs wonderfully with the creamy, nutty notes of this drink.
Another fantastic pairing is with tacos al pastor. The juicy, spiced pork with a touch of pineapple and the refreshing nut drink are a match made in heaven!
If you’re in the mood for something cheesy, try serving it with steak quesadillas. So yummy.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
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Agua de Nuez
Ingredients
- 2 cups walnuts (or pecans, or hazelnuts)
- 14 oz can condensed milk (or your favorite sweetener)
- 12 oz can evaporated milk (or whole milk)
- 8 cups water
- 1 teaspoon hazelnut extract (optional, you can substitute with vanilla extract)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat a comal or griddle over medium-low heat. Add the walnuts and toast for 4-5 minutes stirring constantly until they start to release their aroma.
- Remove ½ cup of nuts and set aside. Then add the whole nuts to a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Soak for 20–30 minutes.
- Drain the nuts and place them in a blender along with 2 cups of water (from the ingredients listed) and ground cinnamon.
- Blend until nicely smooth then transfer to a large pitcher.
- Add to the pitcher the evaporated milk, condensed milk, hazelnut extract, and the remaining 6 cups of water. Mix to combine.
- Mix in the half cup of chopped nuts you set aside before and then adjust sweetness with sugar if needed.
- Serve in glasses with ice and enjoy.
Notes
- For a smoother flavor, you can blanch the walnuts after toasting to remove the skins, especially if you find them too bitter.
- Serve agua de nuez over ice in glasses, not in the pitcher, to keep the drink from diluting as the ice melts.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or using your favorite sweetener, like honey or maple syrup.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, swap the evaporated and condensed milk for almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.