This vibrant Mandarin Agua Fresca with Mint (or agua de mandarina) is made with whole, sweet mandarin oranges, fresh mint, and lime juice for a citrusy, refreshing Mexican drink that's perfect for the summer. Naturally sweetened and full of bright flavor, it's light, nourishing and easy to make.
I've always loved keeping mandarin oranges around the house. They're easy to peel, naturally sweet and perfect for snacks for me and my kids. Recently, I started blending them into aguas frescas and today's recipe has quickly become a new favorite.
Whole mandarins blended with fresh mint leaves create a citrusy, refreshing drink that's hydrating and vibrant. It's packed with vitamin C and lightly sweetened, allowing the fruit to really stand out. Like my Honeydew Agua Fresca with Mint and Sparkling Watermelon Agua Fresca with Mint, this recipe is simple and nourishing and perfect for the summer.
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For more refreshing aguas frescas, check out Pineapple Strawberry Agua Fresca, Cucumber Watermelon Agua Fresca and Strawberry Mango Agua Fresca.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This agua fresca comes together with just a few simple ingredients: whole mandarin oranges, fresh mint, lime juice, water and sweetener. Be sure to use seedless mandarin oranges for easier blending, and feel free to use the sweetener of your choice, but I prefer the flavor of a honey simple syrup.
See recipe card for a list of all the ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Mandarins: Peel mandarins, break them in half, and remove as much of the white pith from the center to prevent bitterness.
- Combine Ingredients: Add water, mandarins, mint leaves and lime juice to a blender.
- Blend: Blend until smooth and the mint is fully incorporated into the drink.
- Strain: Pour drink through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove the pulp.
- Add Water and Sweeten: Add in remaining water and stir in honey simple syrup.Taste and adjust sweetener as needed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cold or serve right away over ice.
Recommended for This Recipe
Fine-Mesh Sieve
This set of sieves is one of my most-used kitchen tools. I use them for everything, from straining aguas frescas like this one, to remove pulp.
Storing
Store in a covered bottle or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shake or stir before serving.
I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch, and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.
Recipe
Mandarin Agua Fresca with Mint
Equipment
- Pitcher
- mixing spoon
Ingredients
Honey Simple Syrup
- ¾ cup honey or sub with sweetener of choice
- 1 cup water
Agua Fresca
- 6 cups cold, filtered water divided
- 8 mandarin oranges
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 lime
- honey simple syrup as needed
- ice for serving
Instructions
Honey Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine honey with 1 cup of water.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, just until the honey fully dissolves. Do not bring to a boil.
- As soon as the honey dissolves, remove from heat and let cool completely.
Agua Fresca
- Peel mandarins, break them in half, and remove as much of the white pith from the center. This helps prevent the agua fresca from turning out bitter.
- Add 4 cups of water, mandarins, mint leaves and lime juice to a blender.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth and the mint is fully incorporated into the drink.
- Pour drink through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove the pulp.
- Add in remaining 2 cups of water and stir in ¼ cup of honey simple syrup. Taste and adjust sweetener to your liking.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cold or serve right away over ice.
Notes
- I prefer honey simple syrup because it has a light, subtle flavor, it dissolves very well into the drink, and for its added health benefits. However, you can substitute it with regular sugar, agave or your preferred sweetener.
Lola
What a great way to use mandarins. Makes me wish I still lived in California where my uncle grew them!
Gemma
Oh, that would be so great to have freshly picked mandarins to make this!
Carolina
I had lots of mandarins so I just made this for my kids. It was such a hit! I loved the combination with the mint.
Gemma
Hi Carolina, I am so happy to hear that. My kids love this flavor combination too.