Sparkling Layered Aguas Frescas Recipes

SPARKLING BOURBON LEMONADE

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups water and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Cool the simply syrup completely. This simple syrup can be made 1 week in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Combine the simple syrup, lemon juice and orange juice in a pitcher. Mix in the club soda. Add the lemon slices, orange slices and mint.
• Fill glasses with crushed ice. Add 1 shot bourbon to each glass and fill to the top with the sparkling lemonade. Garnish each glass with mint.

AGUAS FRESCAS

Steps:

• Blend 5 cups of any chopped fruit (we used strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, honeydew, watermelon and mango) with 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Add more sugar and/or lime juice to taste and serve over ice.

AGUAS FRESCAS (MEXICAN FRUIT COOLERS)

Steps:

• Stir the sugar and water together in a large pitcher until the sugar dissolves. Measure out 1 cup. Puree the fruit and the 1 cup sugar water in a blender. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer back into the pitcher with the sugar water, mashing with a whisk or wooden spoon to eliminate any pulp.
• Taste and add more sugar, if desired. Serve over ice, with a lemon or lime wedge, if desired.