Agua de tamarindo (or tamarindo drink) is a popular Mexican drink made from tamarind pods, water, and sugar. It’s a refreshing, tart and sweet agua fresca!
Peel the tamarind pods by removing and discarding the hard shells from the outside and the fibers/strings on the inside.
Add 6 cups of water to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
Add peeled tamarind to the boiling water, cover and lower heat to medium. Continue cooking for 8 minutes.
Remove pot from heat, uncover, and let it sit until completely cooled, about 2-3 hours.
Once cooled, use your hands to squeeze out the seeds from the cooked tamarind pods. Remove and discard the seeds and any remaining fibers/strings.
Transfer the tamarind liquid and pulp to a large blender. Puree until smooth.
Pour the liquid through a mesh strainer and into a large pitcher. You may have to use a spoon to stir the liquid in the strainer to help it go through. Discard any pulp and solids that don’t go through.
Add remaining 6 cups of water and sugar to the pitcher. Stir together to combine, taste, and sweeten with more sugar if necessary.
Serve over ice and enjoy.
Notes
If you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, I recommend starting with 3/4 cup of sugar, then adding more to taste. However, I find that less than 3/4 cup of sugar in the pitcher is not enough and leaves the drink a little too sour for my taste.
Too strong? Add more water if the tamarindo drink is too concentrated.
Settling may occur. Stir the drink in the pitcher before serving to break up any solids that may have settled on the bottom.
To brighten up the flavor even more, squeeze in a little lime juice into each glass when serving if you like.