Pati’s Mexican Table

Walk into any Mexican market, and you will bump into giant glass barrels filled with the colorful and vibrant flavored waters called aguas frescas. They are one of the pillars of Mexico’s rich beverage tradition, a heritage of the Arab influences brought by our Spanish conquerors.

I can’t remember a time when I’ve eaten in a Mexican home without finding a pitcher of flavored water of some sort on the table. Aguas are made from scratch every day with all sorts of flavorings, including lime, mint, tart red Jamaica flowers, tamarind, watermelon, pineapple, cactus, and mango, or whatever is fresh and in season.

Beyond aguas, the world of Mexican drinks is as exotic and multilayered as our food. They’ve been influenced by the waves of immigrants and cultural exchanges that have become an essential part of the Mexican lifestyle. Whether accompanying a fancy sit-down dinner or with a quick taco at a food stand, a Mexican drink can turn the heat up or down, cool your tongue, or take you to spicy new heights, depending on how it pairs with what you’re eating.

Try a sweet, silky, icy Creamy Peanut and Vanilla Apéritif with anything that has citrus or heat. A Spiced Sweet Mexican Coffee jump-starts the day, and I can’t think of a more interesting way to whet the appetite than with a Tamarind Margarita, the glass rimmed with a spicy, sweet, salty mix. For a party, whip up a batch of homemade Sangrita to chase all the superb varieties of tequila now available. And since Mexican hospitality is legendary, it’s not enough for us to simply offer you a cold beer—we have to dress it up by adding a twist of lime, a rim of salt, and perhaps a hint of savory spice or heat, so that even something as simple as a lager becomes a Michelada, a uniquely Mexican experience. Many of the drinks I’m sharing with you in this section will lift your spirits, as well as help you welcome friends, put them at ease, and give them an authentic taste of Mexico.

Recipes