Love Mexican cuisine? In today’s guide we look at a long list of the most popular non alcoholic drinks in Mexico for you to not miss out when experiencing Mexican food and cuisine. You’ll see agua de horchata, tascalate, cebadina, tejuino, champurrado and more.
Ready? Let’s go.
Mexican cuisine is renowned for its rich and varied non-alcoholic beverages, many of which have deep cultural and historical roots. From traditional drinks with pre-Hispanic origins to more contemporary concoctions, the array of non-alcoholic beverages in Mexico is as diverse as it is flavorful.
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Traditional Mexican Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Exploring the diverse array of non-alcoholic drinks in Mexico reveals a rich tapestry of flavors and cultural influences. These beverages, ranging from traditional staples to regional specialties, offer a glimpse into the country’s culinary heritage and local customs.
Here is a comprehensive guide to some of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in Mexico:
1. Agua de Horchata – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
A classic Mexican beverage, Agua de Horchata is made from rice, cinnamon sticks, milk, sugar, and vanilla essence. It may include other ingredients like coconut, almonds, morro seeds, and condensed milk for added sweetness. This drink is particularly popular in Tabasco, Veracruz, and the Yucatan Peninsula, often served alongside traditional dishes.
2. Tascalate
Originating from Chiapas, Tascalate is a Pre-Hispanic drink made from toasted and chopped tortillas, cocoa, achiote, ground cinnamon, and grated piloncillo. It’s mixed with water or milk and served chilled.
3. Tejuino
A form of “corn beer” from northern Mexico, Tejuino is prepared with corn dough and piloncillo, undergoing light fermentation. It’s usually served with lime juice, chili, and lime sorbet, giving it a unique spicy, sweet, sour, and refreshing flavor.
4. Agua Fresca de Mamey
Made from the mamey fruit, this drink is a blend of chopped mamey fruit with water, lemon, and agave honey. It’s rich in vitamin A, iron, and phosphorus, promoting healthy skin, hair, bones, and vision.
5. Cebadina – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
This drink from León, Guanajuato, is based on barley and colored with hibiscus flowers. It’s non-fermented, providing a refreshing taste and numerous health benefits.
6. Agua de Jamaica
A common Mexican drink, Agua de Jamaica is prepared with hibiscus flowers and often served with meals. It offers antihypertensive and antiparasitic properties.
7. Tejate
Known as the “drink of the gods,” Tejate is made from cocoa, roasted corn, mamey seeds, and cocoa flower or rosita, sweetened with cane sugar. It’s a traditional drink in places like the Oaxacan municipality of San Andrés Huayapam.
8. Bupu
A Zapotec drink from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Bupu combines cocoa, cinnamon, piloncillo, jasmine flower, and mayflower. It’s typically served chilled over a hot bowl of white corn gruel.
9. Pozol – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
A paste of cocoa and corn, Pozol was known for its energy-boosting properties among the indigenous people during the Spanish conquest. The corn is boiled in lime water, then mixed with roasted, ground cocoa and fermented in banana leaves.
10. Lagrimas de La Virgen (Virgin’s Tears)
A drink from Guanajuato, it’s made with beet, orange, apple, lettuce, banana, water, and a sweetener. It’s consumed especially on the Friday of Sorrows.
11. Agua de Tamarindo
Made from the pulp of ripe tamarind fruit, Agua de Tamarindo is mixed with water and sugar, creating a deliciously tangy beverage. Tamarind is also used in various Mexican sauces and sweets.
12. Chaya Water with Pineapple and Orange
This beverage blends pineapple chunks with chaya leaves and orange juice, offering a combination of nutritional and medicinal benefits.
13. Mexican Atoles
Atole, a traditional corn-based beverage, is commonly flavored with spices, natural flavorings, and ingredients like cocoa, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.
14. Agua Frescas
These are popular non-alcoholic drinks that combine water with fruits, seeds, or flowers. Common varieties include Horchata, Jamaica (hibiscus tea), and drinks made from pineapple, guava, melon, lime with chia seeds, and tamarindo.
15. Non-Alcoholic Horchata (Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico)
Horchata, a staple Mexican drink, is made from seeds and has a sweet, milky flavor. It’s a variant of Agua Fresca but stands out due to its popularity and unique taste
16. Café de Olla – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
A traditional method of preparing coffee in Mexico, Café de Olla is brewed in an earthen clay pot, lending it unique flavors. The coffee is usually served black, sweetened with cinnamon, and savored for its rich, aromatic taste.
17. Ponche de Frutas
A festive fruit punch traditionally consumed on Christmas Eve, Ponche de Frutas is served hot and often in clay jugs, brimming with an assortment of fruits. While it can be spiked with rum, the non-alcoholic version is equally popular.
18. Atole de Elote
Also known as atol or atole, this is a traditional beverage made from milk and masa (the dough used for tortillas). It is sweetened and flavored with spices such as cinnamon and vanilla, and typically served warm. Atole de Elote is especially popular during the Day of the Dead celebrations.
19. Champurrado – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
A chocolate-based variant of atole, Champurrado is a beloved beverage during Mexican holidays like Day of the Dead and Christmas. It is usually paired with churros in the morning, offering a deliciously rich chocolate flavor.
20. Licuados
Similar to smoothies, Licuados are blended beverages made from milk, fruit, and ice. They are a popular choice for a refreshing and nutritious drink, especially in warmer weather.
21. Chilate – Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico
A unique concoction made from chile, corn, and cocoa, Chilate is typically served cold. It is flavored with a variety of spices, including anise, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon, offering a complex and spicy taste profile.
22. Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Although originally a Spanish drink, non-alcoholic Sangria has found popularity in Mexico. It is primarily made from black tea and juice, with an assortment of fruits added for flavor and texture.
23. Fresh Fruit Smoothies
These are thicker and more concentrated than agua frescas, with undiluted fruit flavors. Mango smoothies are particularly popular, given the abundance of mangoes in Mexico.
24. Hot Mexican Chocolate
Distinct from other versions of hot chocolate, Mexican hot chocolate is rich in flavor with hints of cinnamon. It can be made using syrups or blocks of chocolate that slowly melt into the milk.
25. Agua de Chilacayote
Agua de Chilacayote is a traditional Mexican drink made from the Chilacayote squash. This large, green-striped squash is native to Mexico and Central America. To prepare this beverage, the Chilacayote is peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks. It’s then boiled with water, cinnamon, and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) until the squash is tender and the liquid becomes a light syrup. After cooling, the mixture is blended and strained to create a refreshing, slightly sweet drink. It’s often served chilled, garnished with a cinnamon stick or lime wedge. Agua de Chilacayote is not only delicious but also offers health benefits, being rich in vitamins and minerals. This drink is especially popular during Lent and Easter in Mexico, often accompanying traditional dishes during these celebrations.
Final Thoughts on These 25 Most Popular Non Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico to Try
The rich diversity of non-alcoholic Mexican beverages is a vivid illustration of the country’s deep culinary heritage and creativity. Each drink, from Agua de Horchata to Agua de Chilacayote, is not just a refreshment but a story in itself, reflecting the local customs, regional ingredients, and historical influences.
These beverages serve as more than just thirst quenchers; they are integral parts of Mexican culture and cuisine, often associated with specific festivals, regions, and traditions. Whether it’s the health-boosting properties of Agua de Jamaica, the festive warmth of Ponche de Frutas, or the unique flavors of Tascalate, each drink adds its own unique color to the tapestry of Mexican gastronomy.
Moreover, the adaptability and innovation in these drinks, such as incorporating local fruits and ancient grains, show an enduring connection to the land and its produce. This variety also makes Mexican non-alcoholic beverages appealing to a wide audience, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences.
In summary, these 25 non-alcoholic Mexican beverages provide a delightful journey through Mexico’s rich culinary landscape, offering a taste of its history, culture, and vibrant flavors. They remind us that food and drink are more than just sustenance; they are expressions of a community’s soul and heritage.
Hope you enjoyed this guide and let us know if there’s anything you’d like to add or any favorites in the list! Have a great travel.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.