My favorite aqua vendor.

Aguas. Cheap, healthy, easy, simple, authentic and good. Que mas Quieres?
The concept is simple. Blend and strain fruit– strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, Jamaica flowers, or fresh squeezed citrus juice. Add water and simple syrup. Voila. Tasty beverage.
How to make it.
2 cups of fruit blended with enough water that you can pour it through a sieve.
Simmer one cup sugar in one cup water until dissolved. It’s a good idea to add half the syrup and taste, adding more as needed.
Combine both with a liter of water. Chill.
A good aqua is a balance of sweet, tart and it’s refreshingly watery.

Preparing to boil tamarindo pods.

Here I’m making aqua de tamarindo, which is a little different because you must cook the pods.
I cup tamarindo pods
1 cup simple syrup
I litre water
Break away the shell that comes easily. Cover with water and simmer for 10 mins. Cool and blend. Pour into a strainer and press flesh through.

Tamarindo debris after straining.

Combine with syrup and water to taste. Chill.
The gringa a version; use sparkling mineral water.
Probecho!

I hope you enjoyed the first installment in my Very Simple, Very Easy, Very Authentic series, a monthly post exploring the Cuisine of rural Morelos