''Aguas frescas'' () or ''frescos'' or ''aguas'', are light
non-alcoholic beverage
An alcohol-free or non-alcoholic drink, also known as a temperance drink, is a version of an alcoholic drink made without Alcohol (drug), alcohol, or with the alcohol removed or reduced to almost zero. These may take the form of a non-alcoholic mi ...
s made from one or more fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water. They are popular in many
Latin America
Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...
n countries, as well as parts of the United States such as the
Southwest
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A '' compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west— ...
and heavy-Latino population cities, such as
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
. Some of the more common varieties include , , and .
''Aguas frescas'' are sold by
street vendor
A hawker is a vendor of merchandise that can be easily transported; the term is roughly synonymous with costermonger or peddler. In most places where the term is used, a hawker sells inexpensive goods, handicrafts, or food items. Whether stationa ...
s and are commonly found in
convenience store
A convenience store, convenience shop, bakkal, bodega, corner store, corner shop, superette or mini-mart is a small retail store that stocks a range of everyday items such as convenience food, groceries, beverages, tobacco products, lotter ...
s,
restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and Delivery (commerce), food delivery services. Restaurants ...
s and
juice bars.
Terminology
The terms ''aguas frescas'' is most common in Mexico, however, they are called
"fresco" in Nicaragua and Honduras. Frescos refers to non-carbonated drinks, usually referring to traditional drinks, or those made from fruits. Some of them include fresco de Cacao, melon con naranja, chicha, pinolillo, and others.
''Aguas frescas'' could lead to confusion in some Spanish speaking countries, as they may refer to bottled
soft drink
A soft drink (see #Terminology, § Terminology for other names) is a class of non-alcoholic drink, usually (but not necessarily) Carbonated water, carbonated, and typically including added Sweetness, sweetener. Flavors used to be Natural flav ...
s. In Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panamá soft drinks are referred to as "''frescos''" (short for ''refresco''), which in Mexico means soft drinks and in Nicaragua means aguas frescas. Soft drinks in Guatemala are called "''aguas''", short for ''aguas gaseosas'', which could easily be confused with the Mexican ''aguas frescas'' or Nicaraguan soft drinks which are called ''gaseosas''.
Types
It is common to find ''aguas frescas'' in these flavors:
See also
*
Licuados
*
Paleta (dessert)
*
Samalamig
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agua fresca
Non-alcoholic drinks
Nicaraguan cuisine
Mexican drinks