Drink It In

AGUA FRESCA, or fresh water with fruit. This classic light drink is composed mostly of water with fruit blended or squeezed into it, or vegetables such as cucumbers and celery, dried hibiscus flowers, rice or tamarind.

MEXICAN SODA, far more interesting than their U.S. versions, with flavors like tamarind, sangria and hibiscus, and use of cane sugar vs. high-fructose corn syrup. Among the fizzy faves:

• JARRITOS, or little pots, the best-selling Mexican soda in the states, in 11 flavors including guava and mango.

• APPLE SODAS, such as Mundet's Sidral red apple variety, Coca- Cola’s Manzana Lift and PepsiCo’s Manzanita Sol.

• TOPO SABORES SODAS, in a range of sweet, vibrant flavors including orange, strawberry and pineapple.

• SANGRÍA SEÑORIAL resembles a mixed-fruit wine cooler, but contains no alcohol. Serve with a squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten the grape and cherry flavors.

• MEXICAN COKE, which has gathered a cult following in the U.S. with its use of only cane sugar.

TEQUILA AND MEZCAL. These liquors, from specific regions of Mexico, are made with different kinds of agave – the famed tequila only from blue agave, and the smokier mezcal from more than 30 varieties. Tequila is produced by steaming agave inside industrial ovens before being distilled in copper pots, mezcal is traditionally cooked inside earthen pits lined with lava rocks and then distilled in clay pots.

HORCHATA DE ARROZ, made by soaking white rice in water and/or milk and blending with cinnamon and sugar.

MARGARITA, the classic Mexican cocktail, blends high-quality tequila, fresh lime juice and triple sec.

MICHELADA, a savory combo of cold beer spiked with lime juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, served in a saltrimmed glass.

PALOMA, made by spiking grapefruit soda with tequila and lime juice.

THE KEY IS LIME

Whether a garnish or an ingredient, limes pop up everywhere in Mexican beverages – micheladas, margaritas, cuba libre (rum and Coke), agua de limon (water with lime juice or leaves), and limonada preparada (lime juice and club soda).