“My 20 year old nephew asked me to help him out with some Mexican drink recipe ideas.” On searching the Internet I found that there are lots of Mexican drinks, which are enjoyed and favored throughout the world. Mexicans are well known for their fondness for drinking and drinks. Mexicans have introduced the world to wide range of unique beverages which are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic in nature. It will be really tough to choose top five drinks from such a wide assortment of drinks, but by following the trends, it seems that these five drinks will make good choices.

• Aguas Frescas: It means “Cool Water” in Mexican language. This non-Alcoholic drink is quite popular throughout Mexico. Aguas Frescas is processed from fruits or fruit seeds. Fruits like papaya, melon, orange, pineapple, mango, strawberry and tamarind are used for preparing the drink. Meanwhile the seeds used are jamaica, alfaalfa, and horchata. This beverage can be easily brought from a street vendor. The most popular flavors of the drink are Agua de Tamarindo and Agua de Jamaica. This drink is mostly used during summers.

• Café de Olla: This sweet coffee drink is made using cloves or aniseeds, chocolate and coffee. Café de Olla is processed in traditional earthen pots known as Ollas, from where the drink derives its name. Method of preparation is bit unusual from other coffee drinks, because instead of traditional brewing the coffee seeds are grounded and mixed with other ingredients.

• Sangrita: Sangrita is a popular non-alcoholic drink blended using tomatoes, orange juice, lime juice, hot chili peppers, onion and salt. Sangrita is popularly known as tequila chaser, co-sip or mixer. It was developed by Jalisco’s who used it to tamper the fire of homemade tequila. Mostly it is taken alongside tequila, where the drinker sips alternately from both the glasses. Sangrita is often confused with popular Spanish fruit drink Sangria.

• Horchata de Melón: Horchata de Melon is a popular Mexican fruit drink processed with lime juice and melon. The drink is made using melon seeds which are usually discarded in many kitchens around North America. The seeds and the surrounding flavored kennels are used to prepare the drink. The surrounding kennels are rich in protein and contain beneficial oils. The melon seeds are grounded and added to thicken the drink. Mostly cantaloupes or other melon varietals are used in preparation of the drink.

• Pomegranate Sangria: This popular summer drink is blended using pomegranate juice (instead of wine), papaya juice/ mango juice/apple juice, orange, strawberries, kiwi and sugar.

The most popular Mexican beverage is Tequila which has hit the social party scene with bang. Most of the above mentioned drinks can be easily processed at home with little efforts.

Image courtesy: endlesssimmer.com