Mango Pineapple Agua Fresca

Aguas Frescas (Spanish for 'cold/fresh water') are a combination of fruits,water,seeds etc.Basically they are fruit juices made basically with fruits,ice cubes/chilled water,sugar and then sieved to obtain the drink.These juices originated from Mexico are popular summer coolers and few popular ones are 'Agua de tamarindo' (Tamarind cooler),horchata (milk based drink) etc.I made a simple agua fresca using the in season mangoes and also added little amount of pineapple to it.

Ingredients:
Mangoes: 1 .5 cups chopped/cubed
Pineapple: 1/2 cup cubed
Lemon Juice: 1 tsp + (just a little squeeze if needed)
Sugar: 3 tbsp+
Chilled/Cold water: 2.5 cups+
Ice cubes
Mint leaves : optional

Preparation:

Peel and chop the fruits into small cubes.Add them to the blender along with other ingredients and blend to a smooth puree.Strain with a sieve into a serving glass or pitcher and add more ice cubes and chill till serving time.

Since this is basically a juice you can adjust all the ingredients as per taste and availability.I added more chilled water than ice cubes while blending and then added minty ice cubes later.Also if the juice is thick you can add more chilled water while serving as well. The taste or the sweetness depends on the ingredients used.I had slightly tart mangoes so I went for more sugar.Also rather than sugar other sweetners can be added and instead of lemon juice, orange juice can be added.Basically it depends on your preference and availability of seasonal fruits.Instead of normal icecubes,sugar syrup,lemon juice or mint leaves and water can be made into icecubes and then added.I simply added some mint leaves while freezing icecubes and then added it.

Other combos: mango -ginger,mango mint,pineapple thyme,strawberry mango or watermelon,cantaloupe,strawberry etc.

The simple mango pineapple agua fresca is on way to HOTM:Best of June's Produce as mangoes are in season here and the juice is a perfect summer/anytime cooler.