Name: Tamarindo Drink (agua de tamarindo)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cup tamarind concentrate; 6 cups water (room temperature); sugar (to taste)

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Tamarindo drink is a Mexican beverage perfect to cool down in hot days. Our recipe is made in the most simple way by using tamarind concentrate so you can make it easily in just 5 minutes!

Tamarindo drink on a pitcher and glasses.

This refreshing drink has a nice, sweet-tangy flavor and can be make ahead of time. We love making a large pitcher and have it in the fridge, ready to be enjoyed when we feel the need of a cool drink.

What is tamarind?

Tamarind is a native tree from Asia and Africa that also grows in tropical climates such as Mexico and other Latin american countries. Its produce is used to prepare paste, powder and concentrates that are used in many recipes around the world. From the famous Pad Thai to sauces in the Middle Eastern cuisine.

In Mexico, tamarind is used mostly to make aguas frescas (non-alcoholic drinks) and paletas (ice popsicles); but also a variety of candies, such as Banderillas and Pulparindos among others.

Tamarind has many health benefits, here’s a quote from Health Line about it:

The polyphenols in tamarind have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These can protect against diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
healtline.com

What is agua fresca?

Aguas frescas (plural) are non-alcoholic beverages made with fruits, citrus, grains, or even seeds. They are fresh and help to stay hydrated and cool during hot days but also have an important role in the Mexican cuisine.

In Mexico, you will find street vendors with large jugs selling tamarindo drink (and other flavors) all over the country. Despite having sugar, they still are a healthier choice over sodas or canned fruit juices.

Various glass jugs with Mexican agua fresca in different flavors. — Mexican aguas frescas.

Tamarind concentrate

In some parts of the world, finding tamarind pods is not easy, that’s why I decided to show you how to make this tamarindo drink using store-bought concentrate. You can also use tamarind paste if you dissolve it first in a bit of water. The photo below shows you the tamarind concentrate brand I used, but you can use any brand you prefer to make your agua de tamarindo.

Agua de Tamarindo Recipe

Place tamarindo concentrate in a large pitcher and add 2 cups of water. Mix to disolve well. If you using tamarind paste, dilute in a bit of water before adding to the pitcher.
Pour the remaining water and then add sugar to taste. You can also use any sweetener you prefer. Mix to dissolve sugar.
Taste your tamarindo drink and adjust the flavor by adding more concentrate or more sugar.
Now you can either place the pitcher in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow the drink to get cold, or you can place some ice on glasses and fill with the tamarindo drink and enjoy.

A pitcher with some tamarind concentrate.

Make It Ahead

Looking for prep recipes for your pool party? This recipe for Mexican tamarind water is perfect to make ahead! Thanks to using concentrate instead of tamarind pods, you can make this refreshing drink up to 3 days in advance. Just keep the pitcher in the refrigerator and make sure is well covered to prevent the drink from absorbing other food smells.

A closeup on a glass with tamarindo drink.

Other Mexican Agua Fresca Recipes

CHIA: When chia seeds meets lemons and limes, it only results in the most refreshing and healthy agua fresca de chía.
PINEAPPLE: Pineapple water, also know as agua fresca de piña is one of your best options to cool down in summer days.
STRABERRY: Strawberries on season or not, you can make this delicious agua de fresa all year round.
STRAWBERRY HORCHATA: The most loved Mexican agua fresca with a twist, this strawberry horchata not only taste amazing, it looks pretty cute too!