Agua de naranja is a traditional Mexican drink made with fresh orange juice, water, and a little sugar. The result is a light, refreshing orange drink that is usually served cold with ice, especially on hot days or with meals.
In Mexico, agua de naranja is part of the big family of traditional aguas frescas, the kind you’ll find in big jugs at markets, food stands, and family gatherings, like horchata or agua de jamaica.
Because it’s one of those drinks that takes almost no effort but still feels really good to have at home.
You only need 3 basic ingredients: fresh oranges, sugar, and water. You probably already have them in your kitchen. No blender, no complicated steps.
How to Make Agua de Naranja
Wash the oranges first. Then cut them in half and squeeze out the juice. You can use a manual juicer or an electric one.
You want about 1 1/2 cups of fresh orange juice.
Pour the juice into a large pitcher. Add sugar and stir well so it dissolves.
Then add the water and mix everything again.
Taste it. This is where you adjust the sweetness. Some oranges are sweeter than others, so don’t dump all the sugar at once.
Serve it cold over ice. You can also chill it in the fridge first if you prefer it really cold.
Add a few orange slices if you want, but that’s optional.
Tips & Notes
- You can make this agua fresca de naranja with any type of fresh oranges you have where you live. If you want to see the differences, here’s a helpful guide on orange varieties.
- Don’t add all the sugar at once. Taste it first and adjust slowly so you get it just how you like it.
- You can also use other sweeteners like honey, stevia, or brown sugar. Just keep in mind each one will slightly change the flavor.
- Choose oranges that feel heavy for their size and have firm skin. Avoid any that feel soft or spongy, since they usually don’t have much juice.
- Try to use oranges that are in season. Valencia oranges are great from late spring to midsummer, blood oranges from early winter to early spring, and navel oranges from midwinter to early spring.
Storage
Keep your agua de naranja in the fridge in a pitcher or a sealed container. It stays good for about 2–3 days.
Just give it a quick stir before serving since it tends to separate a bit after sitting. That’s totally normal.
If it tastes a bit stronger after a day, you can always add a splash of water and adjust it again.
A Few Quick Answers
Can I use bottled orange juice instead?
Yes, you can. But fresh oranges give you a lighter, fresher drink. Bottled juice tends to taste a bit flat compared to freshly squeezed oranges.
Why does my agua de naranja sometimes taste a bit bitter?
That usually happens if you squeeze the oranges too hard or get too much of the white part (the pith). Gentle juicing helps keep the flavor clean.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. It actually holds up well in the fridge for about 2–3 days. Just give it a good stir before serving since it naturally settles a bit.
Can I skip the sugar?
Yes. You can leave it out completely or just add a little if you want. It still works as a simple, refreshing orange drink.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
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Agua Fresca de Naranja
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 7 ½ cups water
- â…“ cup sugar (read notes)
Instructions
- Pour the orange juice in a pitcher larger enough to contain about 8 cups of liquid.
- Add sugar and stir to dissolve it.
- Add the water to the pitcher and mix well.
- Adjust sugar to taste if needed.
- Serve in glasses with ice or place the pitcher in the fridge until the water is cold to your liking.
Notes
- Use fresh oranges for the best flavor, it really makes a difference here.
- Add sugar little by little and taste as you go so it doesn’t get too sweet.
- If your oranges are very sweet, you can skip a bit of the sugar or reduce it.
- Stir well before serving because the juice naturally settles at the bottom.
- Serve it very cold, it tastes way better that way.
Love this ague de naranja recipe! My kids don’t like eating orange that much but they love drinking it. I made this yesterday and it’s a good substitute with bottled orange juice! Organic and not full of artificial sugar!