The Aguas Frescas Issue

From horchata to agua de jamaica, we’re celebrating the drinks that keep us cool, hydrated, and connected to culture. Inside, you’ll find refreshing recipes, fun health facts, and heartfelt personal essays from Latina contributors.

But this issue is also about something deeper — honoring the street vendors and community members who bring these drinks to life every day.

It’s a love letter to resilience, tradition, and the sweet joy of agua fresca on a hot day.

hand holding a plastic cup with agua de jamaica (hibiscus agua fresca)

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

Features and Personal Essays

Is horchata healthy? You’d be surprised!

Op-Ed: What dietitians keep missing about agua fresca

Slideshow: These 7 aguas frescas are secretly good for you

Agua Fresca y Comunidad: Finding belonging in a cup

Recipes

Agua de jamaica (tart and sweet!)

“World’s Sweetest” Agua de Melón

Ultra Refreshing Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca

Letter from the Editor

When I started planning this issue, I was excited to write about a fun, breezy topic—aguas frescas.

Then in early June, Los Angeles (where I live) was hit by a barrage of ICE raids, sowing fear among our immigrant and Latino communities, especially our street vendors

As a dietitian, I can’t ignore the long-term public health impacts such raids will have on our community. Trauma, food insecurity, and financial hardship will take their toll on the community for years to come.

It’s been an incredibly emotional month. My community is hurting.

It has felt dissonant at times trying to edit lighthearted pieces about agua fresca during such a crisis.

But ultimately I decided to continue, because this issue gives a platform for Latina contributors and uplifts our food culture.

In many ways, I consider this issue a love letter to the street vendors of LA. They serve aguas frescas (among other treats) with pride, resilience, and tenacity.

Please consider supporting the LA Street Vendor Solidarity Fund below, which helps provide direct aid to vendors impacted by these raids.

Con mucho cariño,
Krista