Tamarindo: Sweet Traditional Mexican Drink Recipe
Tamarindo is a traditional Mexican drink made from, you guessed it, tamarind! It’s fabulous and even better when it’s made from scratch! Try it today!
So, we love Mexican food at the Zoo, but Chief Zoo Keeper is not a huge fan as we tend to want it constantly. He does, however, LOVE tamarindo!!! Typically, he only gets it at Mexican Eateries as he likes it fresh, but not pre-made.
In an effort to appease him so we could have Mexican food again (probably for the 15th time of the month!), I decided to learn to make it!!! I found a recipe on foodnetwork.com that used tamarind paste, but couldn’t find any at the stores.
I went to the local Mexican store in town and the lovely gentleman told me how to make it traditionally! YAY!!! It was great AND the Chief didn’t complain about having Mexican food that night!!! Bonus for me!!!
While you can pair it with any Mexican or Spanish dish, I definitely recommend making Taquitos with them! That way, the hard work can be reserved for the Tamarindos. Definitely want to make it ahead of time so that it has time to chill and for the flavors to reach their best potential.
Tamarindo: Per Wikipedia’s Description
Agua de tamarindo is an agua fresca drink from Mexican cuisine. It is made with tamarind after it has been boiled in water, has had its seeds removed, and has been liquified and combined with sugar. (If your mixture comes out too acidic you may need to dilute it more with water or use less Tamarindo.)
It is typically sold at taquerías and typical cuisine restaurants in Mexico. It has gained popularity in other Latin American countries, as well as in Mexican populations in the United States and elsewhere. Tamarindo is also sold as a flavor of soda, the first of which was produced by the company Jarritos.
Forgive the pictures as they aren’t all that appealing, but the flavor is awesome!!! Hope you enjoy!!!
How to Make Tamarindo
1. Start with 1 lb of tamarind. (Sorry I forgot to take some of the pics!!!) Take the shell off of them. Be patient, this takes a little while!!!
2. Next boil the tamarind in a gallon of water. You’ll know when it’s done as it will sink to the bottom.
3. Strain the tamarind into a pitcher, let the tamarind cool!!!
4. Take the seeds out of the tamarinds. It’s really soft so you just use your hands, just remember it is super messy!!! Dispose of the seeds and hard parts in the trash as your garbage disposal gets a little angry if you try to put them in!!!
5. Run the pulp through your blender, if you like pulp in your drinks. It won’t take all of the pulp, just use as much as you like!!!
6. Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar and fill the rest of the pitcher with water, it won’t take much. Serve over ice or chill and serve without!!!
**If it’s not sweet enough, you can add more sugar!!! If it’s too acidic, add water and use less tamarind next time!!!
Interested in More Traditional Mexican Drink Recipes?
Check This Out!
While the above recipe did not come from this book, it is absolutely fitting! If you are interested in Tamarindo, you’ll love all of these. I’m not particularly a fan of drinking Tamarindo, but Chief Zoo Keeper and Monkey said it was delicious so it must have been. They will absolutely tell me if something tastes off in the least little way.
As Aguas Frescas & Paletas, written by Ericka Sanchez, is a recipe book full of Mexican beverages and frozen treats, both traditional and re-imagined. I’m absolutely stoked to be trying these out as they look and sound delicious! Most of the recipes are simple and inexpensive to make, which are always bonuses!
The back cover discuses how summer in Mexico would never be complete without aguas frescas and paletas, freshly made drinks and popsicles in all sorts of flowery and fruity flavors. While some are way out of my comfort zone (like Hibiscus and Spiced Orange, there are many that both sound an look absolutely delicious! The book also says that the recipes in the book uses less sugar than traditional Mexican treats, which is great for our health and waistline!
I don’t think I have ever tried tamarind. Looks like a tasty drink
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As the winner of this giveaway, I am super excited to try out some of these refreshing recipes.
Thank you!
I am totally stoked that you won! Thank you for entering and I hope you come back and let us know your thoughts!
I’ve never had tamarindo but I’m more familiar with tamarind candy. If I make the drink, I would pair it with a salty snack.
I think pairing sweet and salts is always a winner! If you like the candy, you’ll probably love the drink. I recommend trying to make it from scratch at first so that you can adjust the sweetness to your preferences.
I have not tried this, but it looks and sounds amazing! I would definitely have it with chips and salsa or, even better, nachos!
Terri, nachos are the way to my heart! Especially when they are piled high! Check out my nacho goodness post!
I have never tried tamarind. I’d like to try it.
I hope you do! I’d love to hear your thoughts when you try it!
I’ve never had tamarindo, and, quite honestly, it looks a little gross.
To be honest, making it was a little gross! BUT, it was well received and doesn’t look so gross when the process is complete! LOL
I have never made it. Not sur if I woud like it, but life is an adventure
It definitely is that! While I’m not a fan, Chief and Monkey loved it!
I have never had a tamarindo. I have had some nice frescas from Zoe’s Kitchen, though and I think Panera’s also carries them. Since this is a traditional Mexican drink, I would most like try it on a Taco Tuesday.
I love that you do Taco Tuesday!!! I have a friend that does them as well and I’m totally jealous of both of you! Hubby is broken, he doesn’t like tacos or having the same thing more than once a month…. *Sigh*
I have never had agua de tamarind. I would serve it with vegan burritos!
You should definitely try it out! At least once!
I have never had it. I would serve it with some snacks.
It is a definite sweet treat drink! Hope you’ll try it out and let us know what you thought!
I never have! I would need to find some ways to use it online 🙂
It goes with pretty much any Mexican or Spanish things! Originally, tamarind was found in Africa so my guess is it would go with traditional African food as well!
I have never had a tamarindo. Upon reviewing this recipe, I would love to try a tamarindo. Thank you for introducing me to the tamarindo.
It’s definitely something you have to try, at least once! Between my husband and daughter, they drank an entire pitcher! After making it from scratch, I get why it’s so expensive in little restaurants where they make it homemade, it takes a good bit of work. Apparently, though, it was worth it! When you try it, please come back and share your thoughts!
I have had it before. I would serve it with a barbecue or Mexican food.
Never thought to serve it with BBQ! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your fabulous thought! Will be trying the pair this summer!
No, I have never had tamarindo. It sounds like an interesting drink. I would serve beef fajitas, refried beans, guacamole salad, and Mexican rice with tamarindo.
Ms. Nancy, your comment made me hungry! For the record, I’m reading it super early in the morning so it’s gonna be a while before that menu is acceptable! haha. I absolutely love steak fajitas! Especially when they are cooked just right!
I have not, but I love agua fresca.
Me too! This cookbook has some fantastic recipes in it, which makes me excited because making them from scratch means I can do things like take the lactose out so it agrees more with our diet. haha.
Looks great never tried
Thanks! Hope you’ll try it out! It’s always fun tasting new flavors!
This sounds so good, Thanks for sharing.
This is making me homesick for the border!
A coworker brought tamarinds to work one time for us to try. If I made a tamarindo I would sit on my back patio in the summertime to drink it.
Nothing like a hot day, cold drink and a peaceful back porch! I love sitting by my koi pond (which currently has no koi in it) and relaxing! It’s the best!
That’s really cool that you were able to make it from scratch!
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!