For this agua de chayote, I decided to try a nontraditional flavor combination to make a thirst-quenching new drink. Pairing chayote with cucumber resulted in a light and refreshing agua fresca with flavors reminiscent of honeydew with a hint of cucumber.

Agua de chayote Agua fresca de chayote Chayote benefits Chayote Chayote benefits Chayote juice

For those of you who aren’t familiar with chayotes, they’re a fruit (most people think they’re a vegetable) rich in vitamins B and C, folate, and fiber. Combine that with the antioxidant properties in cucumbers and you have a nutrient-rich jugo de chayote that can be enjoyed all year long. (P.S. When it gets chilly, be sure to check out my crema de chayote recipe!)

FUN FACT: Chayote was a staple food in Maya and Aztec diets. They’re mild in flavor and remind me of a mix between a green apple, potato, and zucchini.

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 Mexican drinks. For instance, if I were to call this agua de chayote, “chayote water,” someone might mistake it for plain water that is infused with sliced chayote, when it’s so much more than that!

Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic drinks 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.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

For most agua fresca recipes, all you need is the main fruit or ingredient, plus water and a sweetener of your choice. I combined chayotes with cucumbers in this agua de chayote because their flavors complement each other well.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend ingredients

In a high power blender, add chayote, cucumber, sugar, and 3 cups of water on medium setting for 30 – 60 seconds.

2. Strain and mix

Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher. You may need to agitate the mixture, but avoid pushing through the pulp to keep the chayote juice light in consistency. Discard or compost the pulp.
Mix in remaining 3 cups of water. Taste, and adjust sweetness, if desired.

3. Chill and enjoy

Chill in the refrigerator or serve over plenty of ice.

I like to garnish mine with thinly sliced chayote and cucumber for that extra flair.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

I have owned a Vitamix blender for nearly 25 years and it is well worth the investment, especially for making aguas frescas, smoothies, and jugo verde! VIEW PRODUCT

LOOKING FOR MORE MEXICAN DRINK RECIPES?

Here are a few of my favorite aguas frescas:

Agua de Chayote (Refreshing Mexican Chayote Juice)

by Lola Dweck

This beautiful green agua de chayote is light, refreshing, and rich in nutrients, with flavors reminiscent of honeydew and cucumber.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings

Calories 49 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2 large chayote quartered
1 large English cucumber roughly chopped
¼ cup organic cane sugar or to taste
6 cups water
6 cups ice

Instructions

Blend ingredients. In a high power blender, add chayote, cucumber, sugar, and 3 cups of water on medium setting for 30 – 60 seconds.
Strain and mix. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher. You may need to agitate the mixture, but avoid pushing through the pulp to keep the chayote juice light in consistency. Discard or compost the pulp.
Mix in remaining 3 cups of water. Taste, and adjust sweetness, if desired.
Chill and enjoy. Chill in the refrigerator or serve over plenty of ice. I like to garnish my agua de chayote with thinly sliced chayote and cucumber.

A Note from Lola

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.

ON SWEETENERS

You can add as much or as little sugar as you’d like to all of your aguas frescas, including this one. I also like to use honey, agave, or simple syrup (boil equal parts water and sugar until sugar is dissolved) in my agua fresca recipes.

ON TEXTURE

I have seen plenty of agua fresca recipes that say not to strain the ingredients. While I’m all about taking in all of the fiber and nutrients possible, agua fresca is meant to be light in texture – nowhere near a smoothie and not even as thick as a nectar. Therefore straining is essential in all of my recipes, except for my agua de sandía and agua de limón con sandía because watermelon is naturally watery and doesn’t require straining.

Nutrition

Serving: 8ouncesCalories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 26mgPotassium: 131mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 0.3mg

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SaveThis recipe was originally published on September 1, 2017 and updated with step-by-step instructions and images on May 21, 2025.

Lola’s Cocina is a small business that earns various revenue streams. This includes sponsored posts and affiliate commissions from linked products, which I use and love, with no extra cost to readers. This income helps sustain the site.Save

How to Make Agua de Chayote (Mexican Chayote Juice)

WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED