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This quince agua fresca, with its crisp flavor and floral aroma, makes for the perfect, simple Autumn drink. Although it does require that the fruit be cooked for just a few minutes, the result is well worth it and has been for millennia, as Waverley Root notes in Food, that, “Athenaeus wrote that Athens was importing from Corinth quinces which were ‘as delicious in taste as they are beautiful to the eye'.” Learn how to make Quince Agua Fresca with our step-by-step recipe.
Typically available from October to December, quince features a lovely floral fragrance and is rarely eaten raw because of both its sour and astringent characteristics.
It is popularly consumed as quince paste, but as agua fresca its flavor will surprise you. Its consistency and fragrance remind me of guava agua fresca, but the flavor differs.
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Do I Need to Cook Quince?
Unlike other aguas frescas that use raw fruit, this recipe requires the fruit to be cooked.
Quince pulp is harder than other fruits and it's also extremely tart and astringent, so it is necessary, at least for me, to cook it before eating.
However, its consistency changes from firm to soft, almost like a potato, after just a few minutes in boiling water.
How to Sweeten Quince Agua Fresca?
Quince is very tart and less sweet. When it is cooked, though its acid level decreases and the flavor becomes slightly sweet.
This is an advantage because it allows us to add a level of sweetness according to our personal preference without losing its vibrant flavor.
This recipe uses granulated sugar, however, you can replace it with honey, agave syrup, or any other sugar substitute you prefer like stevia, monk fruit, or allulose.
Start with a small amount and adjust for taste before serving.
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Here are a few options for you: Hibiscus Flower Agua Fresca, Mexican Lime Agua Fresca, Pineapple-Coconut, and Watermelon Cooler.
Quince Agua Fresca
2 portions
Ingredients
- 1 medium quince
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar or to taste
- Ice
Utensils
Process
Wash the quince to remove the fuzzy layer that covers it and chop it into medium cubes.
The flesh of the fruit is easy to cut but you'll notice that the area near the core is tougher, avoid it as it will give the beverage a grainy texture.
Tip: Don't through away the core, you can use it to make quince syrup.
Transfer to a medium saucepan, cover with water (about 1 cup), and cook until tender. You'll know it is ready when there is no resistance when you pierce the cubes with a fork.
This will take approximately 6-8 minutes after the water starts to boil, or a little longer if you are cooking more than one quince. Let cool for 10 minutes.
Pour the cooked fruit with all the liquid, lemon juice, and sugar into a blender or food processor. Blend to make a puree.
Note: I'm using a high-powered blender, if you are having trouble pureeing the fruit, you can add a little more water. Start with 1/2 cup.
Taste for sweetness and add more to taste, if necessary.
Add 1 cup of water and blend again. It's necessary to blend the fruit a lot to develop a smoother texture.
Strain into a pitcher, taste, and adjust the water and sweetness to your liking. Store in the refrigerator until chilled or serve over ice.
Enjoy!
Quince Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 1 medium quince
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar or to taste
- Ice
Instructions
- Wash the quince to remove the fuzzy layer that covers it and chop it into medium cubes.
- The flesh of the fruit is easy to cut but you’ll notice that the area near the core is tougher, avoid it as it will give the beverage a grainy texture.
- Transfer to a medium saucepan, cover with water (about 1 cup), and cook until tender. You’ll know it is ready when there is no resistance when you pierce the cubes with a fork.
- This will take approximately 6-8 minutes after the water starts to boil, or a little longer if you are cooking more than one quince. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Pour the cooked fruit with all the liquid, lemon juice, and sugar into a blender or food processor. Blend to make a puree.
- Note: I’m using a high-powered blender, if you are having trouble pureeing the fruit, you can add a little more water. Start with 1/2 cup.
- Taste for sweetness and add more to taste, if necessary.
- Add 1 cup of water and blend again. It’s necessary to blend the fruit a lot to develop a smoother texture.
- Strain into a pitcher, taste, and adjust the water and sweetness to your liking. Store in the refrigerator until chilled or serve over ice.
Nutrition
Notes
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