Agua de tamarindo is one of the most popular Mexican aguas frescas, made with tamarind, water, and sugar for a tangy-sweet refreshing drink. It’s the kind of drink you’ll find everywhere in Mexico.
Agua de Tamarindo is one of the classics, with that deep, slightly sour flavor that gets perfectly balanced with sugar and cold water.
It’s bold but refreshing, and honestly once it’s ice-cold, it’s hard to stop drinking it.
Just like agua de jamaica, this is one of those traditional Mexican agua fresca drinks that never really goes out of style. Always present at family meals, street stalls, and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple things for this agua de tamarindo. You can use tamarind pods or tamarind paste depending on what you find.
- tamarind pulp (from pods or store-bought paste)
- water
- sugar (or adjust to taste)
- a pinch of salt
How To Make Agua de Tamarindo
Place the tamarind concentrate in a large pitcher and add 2 cups of water. Mix well until fully dissolved.
Add the remaining water, a pinch of salt, and stir again.
Sweeten with sugar to taste (or any sweetener you prefer), mixing until fully dissolved.
Taste and adjust if needed, you can add a little more concentrate for a stronger flavor or more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
Once ready, chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or serve immediately over ice for a quicker option.
Tips
- If your tamarind feels too strong, just add more water instead of more sugar.
- Always taste before sweetening fully because tamarind intensity can vary a lot.
- Strain it twice if you want a smoother, restaurant-style texture.
- Keep it in the fridge and stir before serving since natural separation is normal.
What to Serve it With
This Mexican tamarindo drink is perfect alongside spicy or hearty Mexican food.
I love it with tacos, enchiladas, or anything with a bit of heat because it cools everything down so nicely.
Storage
This Agua fresca de tamarindo keeps really well in the fridge, which is why I usually make a big pitcher at once.
Just keep it in a sealed container or pitcher with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and tasty for about 3 to 5 days.
Before serving, give it a quick stir since the flavor can settle a bit at the bottom, that’s totally normal.
I actually like having it ready in the fridge during warmer days, especially when I’m also making other aguas frescas like my agua de pepino or agua de mango for the week.
Common Questions Answered
Can I make agua de tamarindo ahead of time?
Yes, and it actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge because the flavor softens and blends.
Can I use tamarind pods instead of concentrate?
Yes. If using tamarind pods, remove the shells and simmer the pulp in water until soft. Mash it well, then strain to extract the liquid before continuing with the recipe.
How long does it last in the fridge?
About 3–4 days, kept cold in a sealed pitcher.
Is it supposed to be sour?
Yes, a little. But the sweetness should balance it so it’s refreshing, not sharp.
What are aguas frescas?
Aguas frescas are Mexican drinks made by mixing water with fruit, seeds, or flowers and a bit of sugar. They are light, refreshing, and served cold.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
And that’s it! a simple glass of agua fresca de tamarindo that always brings a little bit of summer into the kitchen. I hope you give it a try and make it your own.
Mexican Agua Fresca de Tamarindo
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup tamarind concentrate
- 7 cups water (room temperature)
- ⅓ sugar (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Place tamarind concentrate in a large pitcher and add 2 cups of water. Mix to combine.
- Pour the remaining water and then add sugar to taste. Stir well until sugar dissolves.
- Taste and adjust the flavor by adding more concentrate or more sugar.
- Serve in glasses with ice or place the pitcher in the fridge for at least 2 hours before drinking.
Notes
- Adjust the flavor to your liking by adding more sugar or tamarind concentrate to the drink.
- Tamarind concentrate will settle at the bottom of the pitcher after a while, so make sure to stir always before your pour it into your glass.
- Try other sweeteners like brown sugar, piloncillo, or agave syrup.
- Rim the glasses with lime juice and chili powder for a spicy kick, or add a squeeze of lime for a tangy touch.
Love agua de tamarindo!! And love that this recipe doesn’t use tamarind pods because they are not so easy to find everywhere. I bought tamarindo paste and that’s what I use for making this recipe. Thanks!
It is heating up, and this is the perfect drink for the patio. It will be a nice addition to our Mexican themed dinner nights. Refreshing, cooling and delicious.
I love how it turned out! Such a nice and refreshing drink!
Refreshing and perfect for the hot summer days ahead…..can’ wait to try it!!!
I never had tamarindo before, and didn’t know what to expect, and I must say it was delicious. My kids loved it, thanks!
This was so refreshing and using the tamarind concentrate made it really easy.