Non-Alcoholic Drinks
| Drink | Basic Ingredients |
| Agua de Jamaica | Jamaica (hibiscus flowers) sugar, water |
| Agua de Tamarindo | Tamarind pods, water, sugar |
| Aguas Frescas | Fresh fruit, water, sugar |
| Agua Preparado de Limon Rallado | Lime zest, water and sugar (recipe below)
|
| Licuado de Leche | Fruit, milk, honey or sugar (recipe below)
|
| Banana Nana | Coconut cream, sweet and sour, lime syrup, banana |
Tropical Frappe
| Passion fruit juice, cream of coconut, pineapple chunks, banana |
| Mock Blood Orange Margarita | Uses margarita mixer, lime juice and blood orange juice. |
| Mojito (nonalcoholic) | Use fresh limes, lime sparkling water |
| Frozen Margarita (nonalcoholic) | Uses non-alcoholic triple sec and Cuervo non-alcoholic Margarita mix. |
Sangria
| Grape juice, soda, fresh fruit |
| Pina Colada. | Pineapple juice, coconut cream |
So-you-can-see-a Sunrise
| Cranberry, orange juice, lemon juice, ginger ale |
| San Francisco | Pineapple juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, sour mix, grenadine |
| Coconut Milk Horchata | Rice, water, coconut milk, cinnamon, sugar |
| Virgin Mary | Tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, lemon, cukecumber |
| Horchata | Rice, almonds, cinnamon & lime |
Licuado (Liquados)
A popular Mexican alternative to soft drinks the licuado combines fresh fruit and milk and honey or sugar then blended to a froth. This is the Mexican equivalent to the "smoothie". Here is a basic recipe:
Licuado de Leche
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
3/4 cup fresh fruit such as banana, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, strawberries, watermelon or guava.
Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Strain through a sieve to remove seeds or fibrous bits.
Licuados are also made with water,
Licuado con agua with a slightly higher concentration of liquid to fruit and normally sweeter.
The Clay chirmolera (grinder) shown above is used in Oaxaca for making
agua preparado de limon, as well as other grinding tasks.
Agua Preparado de Limon Rallado
A complex sounding name for a very simple classic Oaxacan drink. Just take 8 under-ripe dark green limes, zest them (perfect job for a Microplane Zester...). Add the zest to a quart of water and steep for at least one hour. Strain the mixture though cheesecloth or a fine sieve making sure to press on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Add sugar to taste (about 3/4 to one cup) chill and serve in tall glasses over ice.
You can use the limeade to make margaritas or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays and pop into drinks.
This drink mixes well with vodka for a refreshing cocktail.
Buying Limes
Key limes are "true" limes and are commonly grown and used in Mexico. Key limes are more flavorful and juicy than the common grocery store (Persian) lime. For bargain prices, try your local Mexican market where these limes are normally sold for around 10 or 20 for a $1.00.
Choose a lime with an unblemished skin. Use a lemon zesting tool (or a small sharp paring knife) and pare off a 2 to 3 inch strip of peel. Be careful to avoid cutting into the white bitter pith. Tie the strip into a simple knot. Place the knot on top of the pots de creme just prior to serving. Knots can be made ahead of time and stored refrigerated in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
Make thin slices of fruit peelings from lemons, limes, mango and cut with a star-shaped cookie cutter. Float the pieces on top of drinks or punch. Make ahead and store refrigerated in a zip-lock plastic bag.
This is a handy tool to use for making lemon zest for your drinks. You can purchase this tool at most any kitchen shop or online at Amazon.com.