Alright, listen up, young’uns! Today, we’re gonna gab about some Mexican drinks for the little tykes. You know, the kinda stuff that’ll keep ’em happy and hydrated, especially when the sun’s beatin’ down like a hammer.
First off, we gotta talk about that horchata stuff. Now, I ain’t no fancy chef, but I know a good drink when I taste one. They say every place makes it different, but the Mexican way, that’s the real deal. They soak rice and cinnamon in water, makes it all sweet and yummy. Heard tell they used to use somethin’ else ‘fore the rice, but this way’s just fine by me. My grandkids, they slurp it down like there’s no tomorrow. It’s real good for keeping ‘em cool in the summer heat, you know? Keeps ‘em from gettin’ all cranky and fussy. And that’s a win for everybody, ain’t it?
- It’s sweet
- It’s cool
- Kids love it
Then there’s all them agua frescas. Sounds fancy, I know, but it just means “fresh water” with a little somethin’ somethin’ added. And let me tell ya, there’s a whole bunch of ‘em. One of the easiest is that watermelon one, agua de sandia they call it. Just smash up some watermelon, add some water and a bit of sugar if it ain’t sweet enough, and you’re good to go. It’s real simple, even I can make it without messin’ it up too bad. My kids used to love this stuff when they were little, running around outside all day. Now my grandkids, same thing. It’s like a tradition, you know?
Another one, that agua de jamaica. That’s the hibiscus one. Sounds like somethin’ you’d find in a flower garden, but it makes a mighty fine drink. It’s got this purplish-red color, looks kinda fancy. You gotta boil up them hibiscus flowers, add some sugar, and let it cool. It’s got a little bit of a tart taste, but the sugar balances it out real nice. My neighbor, Maria, she makes the best agua de jamaica I’ve ever tasted. She says you gotta use good flowers, not the dusty old ones from the back of the shelf. She’s a smart one, that Maria. Always knows how to make things taste good. And let me tell you, this one is good for you too. Cleans you right out, if you know what I mean.
- Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus)
- Agua de Sandia (Watermelon)
- Lots of other flavors too!
Now, some folks like to add all sorts of things to these drinks. Fruits, flowers, even some kinda seeds. I say, keep it simple. Kids don’t need all that fancy stuff. A little bit of sweetness, a little bit of flavor, and that’s all you need. And make sure it’s cold! Nothin’ worse than a warm drink on a hot day. My old icebox, it ain’t the fanciest thing, but it keeps things cold enough. And that’s all that matters, ain’t it?
And listen, don’t go buyin’ that sugary soda pop. That stuff’s nothin’ but trouble. Rots your teeth and makes you all jittery. These Mexican drinks, they’re natural, they’re healthy, and they taste good. What more could you want? My grandma used to say, “If God made it, it’s good for ya.” And I reckon she was right. These fruits and flowers, they’re from the earth, so they gotta be good for somethin’. And they keep the kids happy and healthy, that’s the most important thing. Ain’t nobody got time for sick kids, that’s for sure.
So there you have it. A few Mexican drinks for the kids. Horchata, agua fresca, whatever you wanna call it, it’s all good stuff. Easy to make, cheap to buy the stuff for makin’ it, and the kids will love it. Now go on and make some. And don’t forget to share with your neighbors! Sharing is caring, that’s what I always say. And a cold drink on a hot day, that’s somethin’ worth sharin’ with everyone. Keeps everyone happy and friendly, you know? And that’s the kinda world we all want to live in, ain’t it?