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Creamy Agua de Avena is a traditional Guatemalan oat milk beverage that’s popular for breakfast or served as a refreshing treat for hot summer days.
Unlike commercial brands, this vanilla and cinnamon-scented drink is made with no refined sugar, additives or preservatives! It’s also vegan, gluten-free and nut-free.
What is Agua de Avena
Agua de avena is a refreshing vanilla oat milk cooler that blends elements of two beloved Guatemalan drinks: agua fresca (lightly sweetened fruit or grain-based beverage) and Quaker FrescAvena Vanilla, a packaged oat drink popular across Central America.
As someone who’s made this drink countless
After years of making it for my Guatemala-born husband and family, I’ve learned exactly how to get the texture just right—creamy and drinkable, without the slimy feel that can sometimes happen with oats.
Why You’ll Love This Drink
- It’s light and refreshing but satisfying. It’s not as rich as eggnog and is similar to horchata, a traditional Guatemalan rice drink.
- Unlike store-bought FrescAvena (made with refined sugar, additives and preservatives), this homemade oat milk drink substitutes homemade date caramel for refined sugar. It contains no additives or preservatives.
- It’s versatile. Enjoy a chilled glass of this homemade oat milk beverage served over ice on a hot day or as a gentle breakfast drink.
- This easy recipe is a simple way to bring a bit of Guatemalan flavour to your table.
- Oatmeal is a gluten-free, high-fibre grain packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, giving oat milk several nutritional benefits.
Ingredients Needed
Another reason we’re big fans of this recipe for agua de avena, is that it requires only a handful of ingredients!
Quick Oats: Lightly-processed oats will blend smoothly to become creamy not sticky. Don’t use instant oats.
Vanilla (preferably Mexican): Rich and aromatic, Mexican vanilla adds deep, floral-sweet notes with a hint of spice.
Ground Cinnamon and Cinnamon Stick: Warm and earthy spice; the stick infuses slowly while the ground version enhances flavor instantly.
Medjool Dates: Naturally sweet and caramel-like, these soft, chewy fruits provide a nutritious alternative to refined white sugar.
Step by Step Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredient list and method.
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.
Expert Tips
- 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.
Other Summer Drink Recipes to Try
- Fresh Strawberry Mango Lemonade
- Vegan Iced Coffee Frappe
- Healthy Chamomile Iced Tea
- Picositas (Spicy Beer Cocktail)
Recipe
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.
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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 !