Agua de limón is 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 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.

According to the author and Mexican confections queen, Fany Gerson, aguas frescas have indigenous roots. “When Aztecs traveled from their farmlands to the markets in Tenochtitlan (what is now Mexico City), they would paddle through channels in the valley’s wetlands and mash some ripe fruit with water as a way to refresh themselves through the journey.”

Nowadays, aguas frescas are available just about everywhere in Mexico, from street-side food stands and ice cream shops in rural towns, to high-end restaurants in large cities. They are fresh, diversified, and vibrant and are part of daily life and culture in Mexico.

WHAT IS AGUA DE LIMÓN?

Agua de limón is a traditional Mexican drink made with chia seeds, water, lime juice, and sugar. It’s probably one of the most popular aguas frescas in Mexico and happens to be a childhood favorite of mine. First, chia seeds are soaked in water until they form a gel-like consistency, then mixed with lime juice, additional water, and sweetened to taste. It’s the ultimate hydrating drink!

BENEFITS OF CHIA SEEDS

Chia seeds are trending these days and are experiencing a “rebirth” of sorts here in the United States. It’s funny because the first time I tasted agua de limón 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.

BENEFITS OF DRINKING LIME AGUA FRESCA

This agua con limon mixture also offers a variety of benefits.

Vitamin C from the limes helps boost the immune system.
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C helps protect the body from free radical damage, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Limes contain essential electrolytes like potassium, which help maintain the body’s fluid balance.
The acidity of lime juice can stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, which aids in digestion and relieving issues like indigestion and bloating, serving as a natural laxative.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

Hydration + nutrition: Agua de limón con chia is the ultimate thirst-quencher. 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 + digestive health: I use organic cane sugar for my agua de Limon, so it provides a quick energy boost without the crash associated with processed sugars or energy drinks. 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 your favorite citrus fruit. 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 Iskiate Chia Drink recipe, made with all of the same ingredients as this agua de limón.

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE AGUA DE LIMON

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.

I prefer using key limes for my agua de limon – they’re smaller, but much more sour so a little goes a long way.

RECOMMENDED BY LOLA

SMALL, HANDHELD CITRUS PRESS

There’s really no way around extracting the juice from limes by hand, so you might as well invest in a good citrus press. VIEW PRODUCT

HOW TO MAKE AGUA DE LIMÓN CON CHIA

1. Prepare water and chia mixture

Soak chia seeds in 4 cups of room temperature water for at least one hour or until they puff up and become gelatinous. Overnight soaking, in the pitcher you plan to use for the limeade, is optimal. Stir occasionally to avoid clumps.

2. Juice limes and mix ingredients

Extract juice from limes, then mix freshly squeezed lime juice, remaining 5 cups of water, and sugar into the water with chia seeds.

3. Serve and enjoy

Serve over plenty of ice and enjoy.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Use your favorite citrus fruit to make this recipe. Oranges, lemons, tangerines, and even blood oranges work.
Use sweetener of your choice for this recipe and adjust level of sweetness to your liking. I prefer to use honey, agave, simple syrup, or cane sugar.
If you have diabetes or are watching your sugar intake, my advice would be to reduce or eliminate the sweetener in this recipe altogether.

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Agua de Limón con Chía (Lime Agua Fresca with Chia Seeds)

by Lola Dweck

Agua de limón is a traditional Mexican drink made with chia seeds, water, lime juice, and sugar. It's probably one of the most popular aguas frescas in Mexico and happens to be a childhood favorite of mine.

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings

Calories 104 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup lime juice freshly squeezed, from about 25-35 small Mexican or key limes
¼ cup chia seeds
9 cups water divided
1 cup sugar or to taste

Instructions

Soak chia seeds in 4 cups of room temperature water for at least one hour or until they puff up and become gelatinous. Overnight soaking, in the pitcher you plan to use for the limeade, is optimal. Stir occasionally to avoid clumps.
Extract juice from limes, then mix freshly squeezed lime juice, remaining 5 cups of water, and sugar into the water with chia seeds.
Serve over ice.

A Note from Lola

While I prefer Mexican or key limes for this recipe, you may also use the larger limes found in most grocery stores. They are less acidic, therefore I would recommend using less sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 0.4mg

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Recipe originally published November 6, 2013 and updated with more clear instructions and photos on May 24, 2024.