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Refreshing Agua de Avena is a vanilla and cinnamon-scented oat milk beverage that’s a cooling treat for hot summer days.
It’s inspired by Mexican agua frescas and Quaker Frescavena, drinks that are popular throughout Mexico, Central America and the Southwestern United States.
Unlike commercial brands, this agua fresca is made with no refined sugar, additives or preservatives which makes it good-for-you-healthy! It’s also vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
A Combination Of Two Delicious Drinks
Agua de Avena is a vanilla oat milk cooler, inspired by two drinks I’ve come to love in my travels. The first is Mexican agua frescas (which translates as fresh or cool water in English), a non-alcoholic beverage made with fruits, grains or flowers mixed with purified water and sugar.
And the second is Quaker Frescavena Vanilla.
Quaker Frescavena Vanilla is a powdered drink mix popular in Guatemala and throughout Latin America. While delicious, it’s made with refined sugar, additives and preservatives.
This homemade Vanilla Oat Milk Cooler, on the other hand, is given a healthy boost as it substitutes homemade date caramel for refined sugar and contains no additives or preservatives.
You can enjoy a chilled glass of this homemade oat milk beverage whenever you’d like a nutritious boost! It’s a
Oat Milk Nutrition Facts – Is Oat Milk Healthy?
Although most people think of corn and rice as the most popular grains in Guatemala, oats also make an appearance in mosh, creamy oatmeal enjoyed at breakfast in a bowl or mug.
Our cousin in Guatemala is in his mid-70s and has never been sick a day in his life. He swears it’s because he eats a bowl of mosh every day!
He may actually be on to something.
Oatmeal is a gluten-free, high fiber grain that’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Naturally, these health benefits also appear in frescavena and oat milk. The refined sugars and additives in the popular Quaker Frescavena Vanilla drink may mask some of those benefits but homemade oatmilk is a healthy, refreshing drink you can enjoy anytime.
Rumor has it that regularly drinking oat milk can lead to weight loss! And while I don’t have any personal experience to back that claim, it makes sense that switching out high-calorie drinks for naturally-sweetened Agua de Avena would have positive effects!
What Oats Should You Use For the Best Oat Milk?
For this Agua de Avena recipe, and any homemade oat milk, you want to use quick oats. Instant oats do not work well in this recipe, as they become too mushy too quickly.
I also want to note that while this oat milk cooler may sound like a heavy drink, it’s actually quite light. It’s not as rich as eggnog and is more similar to horchata, another popular Mexican drink.
But agua de avena is much easier to make.
If you’re looking for a vegan milk, I think this is the best oat milk recipe to try. As I mentioned, it’s inspired by agua frescas so it’s intended to be an enjoyable, light drink and not a heavy nut milk.
Agua de Avena – Vanilla Oat Milk Cooler Ingredients
- water
- Quick Oats (not instant)
- vanilla (preferably Mexican)
- ground cinnamon
- Medjool dates
- Garnish with cinnamon stick and sprinkle of cinnamon
Step by Step Instructions
1) Blend the oats, 3 cups of water and spices in a high-speed blender for one minute.
2) Pour through a fine-mesh metal strainer, tapping the sides of the strainer or allowing it to sit so the liquid drains through. Or, press lightly with a spoon. Do not press it too much or it will get a slimy consistency.
3. Discard remaining solids (or use in a bowl of oatmeal the next day).
4. Make the date caramel (date paste) by blending 10 pitted medjool dates with 4 Tablespoons of hot water in a blender until smooth.
5. Add remaining 3 cups of water and the date caramel to the oat water and stir thoroughly. Chill for at least one hour.
6. Or, you can freeze the oat milk in cubes to blend into drinks such as our recipe for Vegan Iced Coffee. Just pour the liquid into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
Or, save some oat milk to use in a vegan ice cream recipe like this delicious Coffee Cashew Ice-Cream packed with sweetness and coffee flavour.
7. To enjoy the agua de avena immediately after chilling, pour the oat milk, water and date caramel mixture from the pitcher into chilled glasses. Garnish with sprinkles of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.
Tips for Making Agua de Avena
- Be sure to use quick oats not instant in the recipe.
- Serve this homemade oat milk cold. Chill it for at least one hour before serving. Warm oat milk just doesn’t taste the same!
- You can save the solids instead of discarding to use them in oatmeal later.
- Agua de Avena can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to stir it before serving as it will settle.
If You Liked This Homemade Oat Milk Drink, You’ll Love These Drink Recipes:
Agua de Avena
Equipment
- blender
- strainer
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- 6 cups water (divided)
- 1 1/4 cups Quick Oats (not instant)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (preferably Mexican)
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon ground
Date Caramel Sweetener
- 7 dates pitted and preferably Medjool
- 4 Tbsp hot water
Instructions
- Blend the oats, 3 cups of water, vanilla and cinnamon in a high-speed blender for one minute. I used a Ninja blender and it worked well.
- Pour through a fine-mesh metal strainer, tapping the sides of the strainer or allowing it to sit so the liquid drains through. Or, press lightly with a spoon but don't press it too much or it will get a slimy consistency.
- Discard the remaining solids.
- Adding remaining 3 cups of water and date caramel sweetener (see below) to the oat water and stir thoroughly.
- Transfer the oat milk into an airtight glass pitcher and chill. Serve poured over ice. Garnish with sprinkles of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.
- It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, Be sure to stir well before serving as it will settle.
Date Caramel Sweetener
- Place the pitted dates in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse until finely chopped.
- Pour the hot water into the chopped dates and blend until a caramel-like consistency forms.
- Remove from the blender and add the date caramel to the oat milk to taste.
Notes
- Be sure to use quick oats not instant in the recipe.
- Serve this homemade oat milk cold. Chill it for at least one hour before serving. Warm oat milk just doesn't taste the same!
- You can save the solids instead of discarding and use them in oatmeal later.
- Agua de Avena can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to stir it before serving as it will settle.
- Store any extra date caramel covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
Read more about Michele Peterson.
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Mama Maggie's Kitchen
My mouth is watering. I love this!
Leslie
I like the idea of freezing the oat milk to enjoy with other drinks. Great idea!
Chef Dennis
Yum! This Agua de Avena looks absolutely delicious and refreshing!
Amy
This sounds amazing! Not something I would normally have so I’m going to have to try it!
Sue
I really must try this – I am especially intrigued by the caramel made from Medjool dates. Sounds so refreshing!
Michele Peterson
Once you try date caramel as a sweetener you’ll never go back to regular sugar, Sue!
Alexandra
Such a delicious and refreshing drink!
Michele Peterson
I’m glad you enjoyed it Alexandra!
meesha
This looks really refreshing !