Aguas Frescas - Growing in Popularity

Growing in Popularity

Ades, Punch (drink), Fruit Drinks, coolers, and sodas, also known as aguas frescas when (typically) not carbonated, are increasing in popularity. Lemonade stands have become the iconic traditional business for young entrepreneurs in the United States and Canada. Similarly brands such as Crush (beverage) and other soda waters and non-carbonated beverages such as Tang (drink) and Kool-Aid are iconic in American culture. In recent times, adult street vendor immigrants in the United States selling aguas frescas are often seen in states with Latin-American influence, such as can be seen in Miami from Cuban and South American influence, New York from Puerto Rican and Dominican influence, and the American Southwest under Mexican influence. Aguas frescas is the Mexican name for fruit, seed and starch flavored coolers. While the term originally was defined as home-prepared water-based refreshments, the commercial availability in Latin America of instant flavor mixes has broadened the usage of the meaning of aguas frescas in that region.

Most Mexican restaurants serve the beverage by ladling the drink out of a jug into glasses. They can also be found in supermarkets in ready-to-drink bottled versions, or in cartons from the dairy case, and in dried mixes similar to Kool-Aid. Companies sell the aguas frescas drink in many flavors; mango, pineapple, orange, watermelon, tangerine, tamarind, cantaloupe, guava, lime and hibiscus are among the favorites. These are made of several basic, all natural ingredients typically including fruit, seeds, flowers, water, and sugar.

Companies like Kern's, Canita, Klass, and Maria Elena's create and manufacture aguas frescas. Kern's manufactures and distributes Aguas Frescas in three different flavors: Hibiscus cooler, Limeade, and Tamarind drink. They also have Horchata in a refrigerated half gallon and a 32oz Tetra carton. Cañita comes in two flavors, Hibiscus and Tamarind. Klass sells it in a mix that requires water and/or sugar to be added. They come in a variety of different flavors such as: lemonade, strawberry, guava, Hibiscus, horchata, mango, cantaloupe, tamarind, orange, pineapple, and watermelon.