How to Make the Best Agua Fresca de Limón con Chía

Agua de limón con chía is another one of my favorite aguas frescas! The first time I tasted it was at the Mercado Hidalgo in Guanajuato where it was made with chia seeds, freshly squeezed lime juice, water, and sugar. I know you’ll enjoy this recipe as much as I do – the texture and flavor are unforgettable and quite distinct from American lemonade.

WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?

Agua fresca literally translates to fresh, cold, or refreshing water, but literal translations do little to describe the true essence of these fruit-forward and fun drinks.

Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic beverages typically made by blending water and sugar with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some are also made with dry ingredients such as rice, tamarind pods, and hibiscus, which are Mexican pantry staples. 

WHAT IS AGUA DE LIMÓN CON CHÍA?

Agua de limón con chía is a classic agua fresca flavor that you can find just about anywhere in Mexico – from mercados and street-side vendors, to hole-in-the-wall restaurants and fancy food establishments.

• Agua de limón con chia is made with chia seeds, water, lime juice, and sugar.
• Chia seeds form a gel-like consistency, giving this drink a unique and interesting texture. With natural electrolytes from the lime juice, It’s the ultimate hydrating drink!

BENEFITS OF CHIA SEEDS

The first time I tasted agua de limón con chia in Mexico I remember asking the vendor why she added chia seeds to the drink. She replied, “porque así se hace,” (because that’s how it’s made). I guess I was expecting her to talk about the health benefits of chia seeds, given that they’ve been used for centuries by the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas for their medicinal and nutritional value. Here are a just a few of the many benefits of chia seeds:

• Chia seeds are loaded with essential nutrients, including fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals like calcium and magnesium.
• The high fiber content in chia seeds promotes healthy digestion by supporting regular bowel movements and aiding in the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome.
• Chia seeds have a low glycemic index, which means they can help stabilize blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for individuals with diabetes.
• The omega-3 fatty acids found in chia seeds, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), may help reduce inflammation and lower levels of LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Due to their high fiber and protein content, chia seeds can be a valuable source of sustained energy for athletes and active individuals.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

Many people drink agua de limón con chia for its many health benefits. I drink it because I love the flavor. The benefits are an added bonus!

• Hydration + nutrition: Agua de limón con chia is the ultimate thirst-quencher and contains vitamin C from the limes. The addition of chia seeds not only provides a unique texture but also delivers a nutritional punch, packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. 
• Natural energy, electrolytes + digestive health: I use organic cane sugar for my agua de limón con chía, so it provides a quick energy boost without the crash associated with processed sugars or energy drinks. Limes contain essential electrolytes like potassium, which help maintain the body’s fluid balance. Chia seeds, known for their ability to absorb water and expand, also help you feel fuller longer while supporting healthy digestion due to their high fiber content.
• Easy to customize: While I prefer Mexican or key limes for this recipe, feel free to use regular limes, lemons, or any mix of your favorite citrus fruits. You can also use as much or little sweetener as you’d like. I like to switch it up and sometimes use honey, agave, or simple syrup in place of cane sugar. 

Once you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to check out my classic Agua de Limón and Iskiate Chia Drink recipes, made with all of the same ingredients.

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE AGUA DE LIMÓN CON CHÍA

• Limes: I prefer the smaller key limes, but regular limes, lemons, oranges, or a mix of all three will work in this recipe. 
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds are small, nutrient-rich seeds harvested from the Salvia hispanica plant, native to Mexico and Guatemala. I get mine in a large pack from Costco. 
• Sweetener: I like to use honey, agave, cane sugar, or simple syrup (boil equal parts water and sugar until sugar is dissolved) in this recipe. This is one agua fresca that I believe requires some sort of sweetener because the limes are very tart.
• Water: Most of my aguas frescas require about 6 cups of water, but this one requires 8. The right lime to water ratio is key in this recipe. It shouldn’t be too watery because this will dilute the lime flavor.

RECOMMENDED BY LOLA

SMALL, HANDHELD CITRUS PRESS

You can always squeeze your limes by hand, but a hand-held citrus press makes the process a lot easier. If you plan on making this agua fresca with lime and chia seeds regularly, you might as well invest in a good citrus press. VIEW PRODUCT

HOW TO MAKE AGUA DE LIMÓN CON CHIA

1. Juice the limes

• Using a hand-held citrus press (or your hands), extract the juice from limes
• Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the pitcher to strain out any seeds.

2. Add water, chia seeds, and sugar.

• Add 8 cups water to the pitcher and sprinkle in chia seeds. Add 1/2 cup sugar, stir, and then allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This allows the seeds to absorb the liquid and plump up. Stir occasionally to avoid clumps. Taste and adjust sugar if necessary.

3. Serve and enjoy

• Serve over ice and enjoy. 
• PRO TIP: Dip the rim of the cup in honey or agave, and then chia seeds for that extra wow factor.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

• Use your favorite citrus fruit to make this recipe. Oranges, lemons, tangerines, and even blood oranges work. I’ve even made an agua fresca with all of these citrus fruits.
• Use sweetener of your choice for this recipe and adjust level of sweetness to your liking. I prefer to use can sugar, honey, agave, simple syrup. 
• If you have diabetes or are watching your sugar intake, my advice would be to reduce the sweetener in this recipe or use agave, which has a lower glycemic index (GI) compared to other sweeteners like sugar or honey. This means it causes a slower, smaller spike in blood sugar levels. However, it’s still high in fructose, so moderation is key.

HOW TO STORE AGUA FRESCA

Store agua fresca in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, ensuring it stays fresh and chilled. Ingredients tend to settle at the bottom, so remember to stir your agua fresca before serving.

HOW TO SERVE

Agua de limón con chia is best served over plenty of ice! If you’re hosting a special occasion or just want to create a memorable Mexican fiesta menu, below are a few ideas from appetizers and main dishes, to sides and salsas. Of course, I’d wash it all down with my agua de limón con chía.

• Appetizers: Nopales Asados, Cebollitas Asadas, Chiles Toreados, Jalapeño Deviled Eggs
• Main dishes: Easy Chorizo y Huevo (Mexican Chorizo and Eggs), Easy Breakfast Tostadas, Turkey Picadillo Tostadas, Tacos Dorados, Tacos de Papa, Tacos de Huevos a la Mexicana, Milanesa de Pollo, Mole Negro, Tacos de Barbacoa, Milanesa de Pollo
• Sides: Ensalada de Lentejas, Ensalada de Nopales, Arroz Rojo, Arroz a la Primavera,  Arroz Verde con Cilantro, Tijuana Caesar Salad
• Salsas: Yellow Cherry Tomato Salsa Recipe, Chile Japones Salsa, Tangy Tomatillo Salsa with Chile de Arbol and Vinegar, Guacamole Salsa (Guacasalsa)

LOOKING FOR MORE AGUA FRESCA RECIPES?

Here are a few of my favorite aguas frescas:

• How to Make Agua de Tuna Verde (Green Prickly Pear)
• How to Make Agua de Limón (Mexican Lime Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Piña (Pineapple Agua Fresca)
• Mexican Limonada (Refreshing Sparkling Limeade)
• Naranjada (Sparkling Orange Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Naranja (Orange Agua Fresca)
• Iskiate (Hydrating Chia Drink from Born to Run Book)
• Agua de Tamarindo (Mexican Tamarind Drink)
• Agua de Fresa (Strawberry Agua Fresa), Packed with Vitamin C!
• Kumquat and Carrot Agua Fresca

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