Things I Love about California: Agua Frescas

So I had this idea for a new "column" here on my blog: Things I Love about California.  It's been almost two years since I've moved out here, and it still surprises me to this day about how different life is here compared to my first 28 years of life in Michigan (and that one year in between that I lived in Nashville, TN... shout out to my friends there!).  To chronicle these new things... I'll be talking about them periodically (or as they present themselves) right here on my blog.

For the first installment, I'd like to share my love for: Aguas Frescas

Aguas Frescas is the spanish term for "fresh waters"... and boy are they refreshing especially on a hot day here in Southern Cali.  This delicious drink is most likely found where mexican food is served... and it comes in a variety of flavors.  Many of the flavors are fruit based and include chunks of fresh fruit in them.  My personal favorite is pineapple... but they come in lots of other flavors like mango, watermelon, canteloupe, guava, lime, strawberry lemonade and more.  There are also non fruit-based flavors like horchata and hibiscus. 

Just think: cold water, fruit, ice and sugar all mixed into one!  Can it get any better?  I mean... why is this a regional thing?  I don't understand why Michigan can't get some fruity-watery love!  I'm sure its because its a traditional drink from the Mexican culture... and well... let's face it, California is a lot more diverse than Michigan.  Still.... I think if I ever moved back to Michigan, one of the things I would miss most is Aguas Frescas.

One funny story to share that will describe my love for this drink:  I was at a fair with a group of friends, and its almost guaranteed that there will be Aguas Frescas at carnivals/fairs here in the LA area.  We luckily found a tent and got the largest one I could get.  Another friend asked to try it... and the first thing he said was: "it just tastes like watered-down fruit".  To which I promptly replied, "NO!  This is fruited-up water!".  You don't want to argue with me about Aguas Frescas.  :-)