If you are a fan of Spanish tapas, then it is time for you to learn how to make some drinks to serve alongside them.
One that is easy to make is the agua de Valencia, a famous drink in Spain that you will love immediately.
Keep scrolling down this article to find out everything you need to know about this Spanish drink and how to make it at home.
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Background of the Dish
The agua de Valencia is a popular drink that was created in the 1950s by the famous painter Constante Gil in a bar in Valencia.
It quickly spread to different parts of Spain, and nowadays it is a beloved drink in Andalusia.
It became famous in Southern Spain thanks to its simplicity and the fact that it is a great refreshing drink to have on a hot summer day on the beach.
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Things You’ll Need for Agua de Valencia
To make agua de Valencia you will need orange juice (better if it is fresh), gin, cava (sparkling wine), vodka, and sugar.
You don’t need any professional shaker, a large glass jug works just fine.
Ingredients
- 8 oranges (or 1 2/3 cups-400ml of orange juice)
- 1 2/3 cups (400ml) cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
- 1 2/3 cups (200ml) gin
- 1 2/3 cups (200ml) vodka
- 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
How to Make Agua de Valencia – Step by Step Guide
- For this agua de valencia recipe you will need a large glass jug. Other types of jugs or something similar will work too.
- Now squeeze the oranges so you will have fresh orange juice. While you pour it into the jug, run it through a strainer to prevent any pulp from getting into your valencia water.
- After that, add the cava, gin, vodka, and sugar to the jug. With the help of a long spoon, mix everything so that it is homogeneous and the sugar dissolves.
- If you have time, take this orange alcoholic drink to the fridge for 30 minutes so that it is cold. Then serve* the drink with a couple of ice cubes to keep it cool (don’t use a lot of ice so it doesn’t get watery).
*You can serve this famous Spanish drink in any type of glass, but the perfect one is the saucer/coupe champagne glass.
Substitution of Ingredients
If you want to nail this Spanish drink recipe and get the right flavor for the agua de Valencia, then you shouldn’t make changes to the ingredients.
One thing you can do is add another type of citric juice, like lime juice or lemon but make sure it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
When it comes to alcoholic drinks, the measurements and ingredients listed are something that you have to follow because otherwise, you might end up with a drink that tastes bad.
If you don’t like some of the ingredients listed or you think the Agua de Valencia isn’t the perfect drink for you, then you can try other Spanish alcoholic drinks such as Spanish gin and tonic or Sangria.
Tips on Serving Agua de Valencia
This cava Spanish drink is meant to be served before or after a meal, it isn’t a beverage that you have with your food.
The Agua de Valencia has a strong flavor, and a lot of alcohol, so it is better to have it on its own.
However, we do recommend eating something before drinking this or other Spanish cocktails, to prevent dizziness or feeling bad.
If you are having a house party or you want to impress someone that’s coming over, then you can also make other famous Spanish drinks such as the Tinto de Verano, Carajillo, or Rebujito.
How to Store Agua de Valencia
After making this Spanish alcoholic drink you can choose to store it in the fridge for one hour.
The Agua de Valencia can’t be stored for too long because the orange juice gets a bad taste and the alcohol isn’t meant to be stored for hours after serving.
Still, you can prepare this Spanish cava drink with store-bought orange juice if you think that you don’t have the time to squeeze the oranges: this will let you make the drink even with the guests in your home.
Recipe Card: Agua de Valencia
Refreshing Agua de Valencia Recipe
If you are a fan of Spanish tapas, then it is time for you to learn how to make some drinks to serve alongside them.
One that is easy to make is the agua de Valencia, a famous drink in Spain that you will love immediately.
Keep scrolling down this article to find out everything you need to know about this cocktail and how to make it at home.
Ingredients
- 8 oranges (or 1 2/3 cups-400ml of orange juice)
- 1 2/3 cups (400ml) cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
- 1 2/3 cups (200ml) gin
- 1 2/3 cups (200ml) vodka
- 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
Instructions
- To make the agua de valencia you need a large glass jug. (Or something similar).
- In that jar put the freshly squeezed orange juice first. If some pulp fell then remove it (it is better to pass the juice through a strainer first just in case).
- Add the cava, gin, vodka, and sugar. With the help of a long spoon, mix everything so that it is homogeneous and the sugar dissolves.
- If you have time, take it to the fridge for 30 minutes so that it is very cold. Serve with a couple of ice cubes to keep it cool (don't use a lot of ice so it doesn't get watery).
Notes
We know that it might sound like a lot of sugar for a Spanish alcoholic drink, but keep in mind that orange juice is sour so the sugar is perfect.
If instead of squeezing your own Spanish orange juice you choose to use store-bought one, then taste it before adding the sugar (the ones that you find at the store are usually sweet).
You can serve this Spanish cocktail in any glass, but the classic one is the saucer/coupe champagne glass.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 534Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 48.8gFiber 5.9gSugar 42.9gProtein 2.5g
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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