Tamarind Agua Fresca

Name: Tamarind Agua Fresca
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 tbsp tamarind paste or concentrate; 1 cup warm water (for dissolving tamarind); 3 cups cold water; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp chili powder (for rim); 1/2 tsp kosher salt (for rim); 4 cups ice cubes; 4 lime wedge

A boldly tangy and sweet agua fresca made from tamarind paste dissolved in cold water with sugar and a pinch of chili-salt rim. A staple at Mexican taquerias.

10 minEasyServes 4100 cal/serving

MexicanNon-Alcoholic DrinkNo-CookVeganVegetarianHalal-friendlyKosher-styleGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

4 tbsp tamarind paste or concentrate
1 cup warm water (for dissolving tamarind)
3 cups cold water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder (for rim)
1/2 tsp kosher salt (for rim)
4 cups ice cubes
4 lime wedge

Instructions

1

In a large pitcher, dissolve 4 tbsp tamarind paste or concentrate in 1 cup warm water (for dissolving tamarind), stirring until smooth with no lumps.
2

Stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Add 3 cups cold water and stir well to combine.
3

Taste and adjust: add more sugar if too tart, or a squeeze of lime if too sweet.
4

Mix 1/2 tsp chili powder (for rim) and 1/2 tsp kosher salt (for rim) together on a small plate. Run a 4 lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip in the chili-salt mixture.
5

Fill glasses with 4 cups ice cubes, pour in the tamarind agua fresca, and serve immediately.

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Questions

Is there a substitute for tamarind in Tamarind Agua Fresca?

The entry for Tamarind Agua Fresca calls for 4 tbsp tamarind paste or concentrate. In its place: Equal parts lime juice and brown sugar give the same sour-sweet effect. Pomegranate molasses also works where you have it.

How hot is Tamarind Agua Fresca?

Only mildly. The heat in Tamarind Agua Fresca comes from 1/2 tsp chili powder (for rim). For a milder plate, halve the chili powder; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

How many calories are in Tamarind Agua Fresca?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 100 calories, with 0 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat, plus 280 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I batch Tamarind Agua Fresca for a group?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Halved, the tamarind drops from 4 tbsp to 2 tbsp; doubled, it is 1/2 cup. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. To make a pitcher, multiply everything and stir over ice at the end.

Serve it with

Bunuelos dessert
Conchas breakfast
Black Bean and Corn Salsa starter

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