Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca

This vibrant Tamarind Agua Fresca offers a delightful balance of tart and sweet, with a refreshing, smooth texture. It's a perfect thirst-quencher, showcasing the unique tangy flavor of tamarind for a truly invigorating beverage.

Prep: 8 min Cook: 20 min Total: 28 min Serves: 2

At a glance: This easy drinks and smoothies recipe yields 2 servings in about 28 minutes (8 min prep, 20 min cook). It uses 5 ingredients — including tamarind pulp, water, sugar or agave nectar — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more drinks and smoothies recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Shop links in the ingredient list are affiliate links and do not change the recipe.

Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca: When preparing this drinks and smoothies recipe, tamarind pulp is usually just fruit, but blocks and concentrates can contain additives, so buy pulp labeled gluten-free. Strain through a sieve that has not been used to sift flour.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca: This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Ensure that any added sweeteners, like agave nectar, are gluten-free if you have strict dietary needs.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Ingredients

Shop links on this page are for tamarind pulp, sugar or agave nectar. Buy the package that says gluten-free. A shared production line is the usual risk with these pantry items. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm the product is labeled gluten-free before you buy.

1 cup tamarind pulp (seedless) Shop
4 cups water
0.5 cup sugar or agave nectar (adjust to taste) Shop
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 cup ice cubes

Instructions

1 In a medium saucepan, combine the seedless tamarind pulp and 2 cups of water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes. The tamarind should soften and break down into a thick paste.
2 Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the tamarind mixture cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Carefully strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining pulp and seeds.
3 To the strained tamarind liquid, add the remaining 2 cups of water, sugar or agave nectar, and fresh lime juice. Stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Taste the mixture and add more sweetener if desired, ensuring a pleasant sweet-tart balance.
4 Fill a blender with the tamarind liquid and the ice cubes. Blend on high speed for about 60-90 seconds, or until the ice is fully crushed and the agua fresca is smooth and frothy. The mixture should be a vibrant reddish-brown color.
5 Pour the blended Tamarind Agua Fresca into chilled glasses. Serve immediately for the best refreshing experience, garnished with a lime wedge or a sprig of mint if desired.

Nutrition (per serving)

126

Calories

Protein

26g

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

92mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Break the block of tamarind pulp into small pieces before simmering so it softens evenly. Seedless pulp often still hides a few seeds and fibers, which the sieve catches.
Tamarind sourness varies a lot from block to block, so add the sugar or agave gradually and taste once it dissolves. The drink should be tart-sweet, not syrupy.
Press firmly on the solids in the sieve with the back of a spoon. Most of the tamarind flavor is in the thick paste that clings to the fibers.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca?

Check tamarind pulp, water, sugar or agave nectar before they go into Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca. Tamarind pulp is usually just fruit, but blocks and concentrates can contain additives, so buy pulp labeled gluten-free. Strain through a sieve that has not been used to sift flour.

Which gluten-free swaps does Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca use?

Gluten-Free Tamarind Agua Fresca relies on 1 cup tamarind pulp. Keep those gluten-free-labeled products in place of a gluten-containing flour or sauce.

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