Agua de Mango (BEST 3-Ingredient Mango Agua Fresca)

I absolutely love homemade fruit drinks, and this agua de mango is one that both children and adults enjoy. Aside from being delicious, this tropical little number is rich in vitamins A and C, which promote healthy skin and eyes, so drink up! 

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 MANGO?

Mango agua fresca is a refreshing Mexican beverage made by blending ripe mangoes with water and a touch of sweetener, served over plenty of ice. Its English translation, “mango water,” does not do it justice because it doesn’t capture the essence of this absolutely perfect summer agua fresca recipe!

Dress up your drinks with adorable reusable appetizer and cocktail toothpicks like the ones I used for my agua de mango. I source them directly from female artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. VIEW PRODUCT

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Easy to make: This delicious mango agua fresca takes about 10 minutes and two ingredients (plus water) to prepare!
• Loaded with nutrients: Mangos are high in vitamins, and contain fiber, folate, and potassium.
• Versatile: Enjoy it as a drink, as the perfect base for fresh cocktails, or frozen into popsicles.

5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF MANGOS

1. Immunity boosters: Rich in vitamins C and A, mangos support a healthy immune system.
2. Digestive support: Mangos are high in fiber and contain enzymes like amylases, promoting digestive health and regularity. Shoutout to maintaining regular bowel movements!
3. Skin health: The vitamin C and antioxidants in mangos help maintain collagen production, promoting youthful and radiant skin. Yes, please!
4. Heart health: Potassium in mangos helps regulate blood pressure, while fiber and antioxidants support cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease.
5. Cancer prevention: The antioxidants and phytochemicals in mangos may help protect against certain types of cancer by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation.

MANGO AGUA FRESCA INGREDIENTS

• Mangos: I use fresh mangos, but frozen will also work because fruits are typically frozen at peak ripeness, which means that they’re extra sweet. I prefer manila, champagne, or ataulfo mangos for this recipe, but the larger green variety will also work.
• Sweetener: I like to use pure cane sugar, simple syrup, agave, or dates to sweeten my aguas frescas. Feel free to use your favorite sweetener or skip the sugar altogether. 
• Water: Agua fresca is supposed to be light in texture, like a juice. It’s not a nectar, which is why I use plenty of water to thin it out.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamin 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

HOW TO MAKE AGUA DE MANGO

1. Prepare ingredients

• Peel mangoes and remove flesh from pits

2. Blend ingredients

• Process peeled mango, sugar, and 4 cups of water in a blender on medium for 60 seconds.

3. Strain and mix

• Using a mesh strainer, strain mixture into a large pitcher. Discard or compost pulp. You may need to use a small spatula or spoon to agitate the mixture and push it through the strainer.
• Mix in additional two cups of water.

4. Chill and enjoy

• Chill in the refrigerator and when ready to enjoy, serve over plenty of ice. Garnish with a cocktail toothpick and fresh mint, if desired.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the most popular agua fresca in Mexico?

This will always depend on whom you ask, because everyone has a favorite flavor. Popular combinations include:

• Limón con chía (lime with plump chia seeds)
• Piña con espinacas (pineapple with spinach)
• Sandía (watermelon).

Look for these in just about any mercado in Mexico and are even available in some Mexican grocery stores in the U.S. Flavors that are more unique to Mexico include: 

• Tuna (prickly pear)
• Maracuyá (passion fruit) 
• Guanábana (soursop)
• Coco (coconut)
• Melón (cantaloupe)
• Pepino (cucumber)
• Guayaba (guava)
• Mango

While fruity aguas frescas are typically made daily using seasonal ingredients, there are also popular flavors made with dry pantry staples.

A few other popular agua fresca flavors are made with dry ingredients such as flowers, nuts, seeds, and grains. The “holy trinity” of aguas frescas includes agua de tamarindo,made with dry tamarind pods; agua de jamaica, made with dry hibiscus flowers; and agua de horchata, made with rice and cinnamon. Unlike other aguas frescas, these three can be made year-round because they aren’t reliant on seasonal fruits and vegetables.

What are the ingredients in agua fresca?

Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic drinks typically made by blending water and some sort of sweetener, typically sugar, with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some are also made with dry ingredients such as rice, tamarind pods, and hibiscus.

When was mango first discovered?

The mango, Mangifera indica, is believed to have originated in South Asia around 4000 years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests its cultivation in India as early as 2000 BCE. The fruit’s cultivation spread across tropical regions, reaching East Asia by the 4th century BCE and Africa by the 10th century CE.

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

• Hot Pink Agua de Tuna (Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
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• Agua de Piña y Pepino (Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca)
• Pineapple and Blueberry Agua Fresca
• Agua de Melon (Cantaloupe Agua Fresca)
• ¡Viva la Vida! A Toast to Watermelon Agua Fresca
• Watermelon Lime Agua Fresca – Move over Arnold Palmer!
• All About Aguas Frescas

Recipe originally published July 13, 2014 and updated with more clear instructions and photos on May 16, 2024.

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