By Jules Aron
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Common throughout Latin America, agua frescas, made by blending fresh fruit or veggies with cold water, are the ultimate hot weather refreshers, but you don’t need to cross the border to get a taste for yourself. This papaya fresca made with coconut water, aloe water, lime juice, passion fruit syrup, and tequila is just the ticket for a home-thrown fiesta of your own.
Enjoy this agua fresca knowing it is a rich source of such antioxidant nutrients as carotenes, vitamin C, and flavonoids; vitamins B5 and B9; the minerals potassium, copper, and magnesium; and fiber.
Aqua Fresca
Ingredients
5 cups ripe papaya (peeled and chopped)
2 cups coconut water 2 cups aloe water
1 cup passion fruit syrup
½ cup fresh lime juice
2 cups tequila Goji berries, for garnish (optional)
Method
Peel the papaya and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and fibrous part with a small spoon and discard. Give the fruit a rough chop and transfer to a blender. Working in batches, combine the coconut water, aloe water, chopped papaya, lime juice, and passion fruit syrup. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely liquid. Transfer the papaya mixture to a pitcher. Add the tequila and stir to combine. Fill 6 to 8 glasses with ice cubes. Pour the agua fresca into the glasses.
Passion Fruit Syrup
Ingredients
1 cup coconut sugar
1 cup water
½ cup passion fruit pulp and juice
Method
Combine the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat and bring to a boil. Let sit for 30 minutes to cool. Strain into a clean jar, cover, and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Tip: To preserve your syrups for longer periods of time, add a splash of vodka.