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Home » Recipes » Drinks » Agua de Avena – Vanilla Oat Milk Cooler

Agua de Avena – Vanilla Oat Milk Cooler

Posted August 8, 2020//  by Michele Peterson 9 Comments

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Two glasses of agua de avena

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. 

Two glasses of oat milk garnished with cinnamon
Agua de Avena is a light, refreshing and healthy drink

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 – 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 Quaker Frescavena Vanilla. 

Quaker Frescavena Vanilla is a powdered drink mix popular through Latin America, particularly in Guatemala. 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!

Agua de Avena in a glass, garnished with a cinnamon stick
This oat milk cooler is not only refreshing but healthy.

Oat Milk Nutrition Facts – Is Oat Milk Healthy?

wooden table with fresh Oat Milk

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. It’s said that oats may help with weight loss, lower blood sugar and reducing the risk of heart disease.

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 similar to horchata – another popular Mexican drink – but 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. 

An aerial shot of the ingredients for agua de avena
This easy recipe requires only a handful of ingredients!

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 For How To Make Agua de Avena

1) Blend the oats, 3 cups of water and spices in a high-speed blender for one minute. 

 

A blender with the ingredients for oat milk - oats, water and spices
Blend ingredients, keeping some water aside for later

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.

A strainer being used to separate the solids from the oat milk
Be careful not to over-strain the oats

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. 

A handful of dates in a blender
This recipe uses dates as a natural sweetener

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.  

An ice cube tray filled with oat milk
You can freeze homemade oat milk to use in vegan iced coffee and other drink recipes

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.

Two glasses of oat milk garnished with cinnamon
Agua de Avena is a light, refreshing and healthy drink

 

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:

  • Fresh Strawberry Mango Lemonade
  • Vegan Iced Coffee Frappe
  • Healthy Chamomile Iced Tea
Two glasses of oat milk garnished with cinnamon
Print
5 from 12 votes

Agua de Avena

Refreshing Agua de Avena is inspired by both Mexican agua frescas and Quaker Frescavena, popular in Mexico and Latin America but contains no refined sugar. It's a healthy, cooling treat for hot summer days to enjoy on its own or with a meal.
Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Guatemalan, Mexican
Servings: 4
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Michele Peterson
Cost: $5

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
Prevent your screen from going dark

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.  
Nutritional information is created by online calculators so the figures are only estimates.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ATasteForTravel or tag #ATasteForTravel!

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Two glasses of oat milk on a table with text overlay of Agua de Avena
Two glasses of agua de avena with Mexican Oat Milk text overlay

Michele Peterson
Michele Peterson

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.

« Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Soup
Soothing Chamomile Iced Tea with Mint »

About Michele Peterson

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.

Previous Post: «Fresh Tomato Gazpacho Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Soup
Next Post: Soothing Chamomile Iced Tea with Mint fresh chamomile iced tea garnished with lemon and mint»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    August 11, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    5 stars
    My mouth is watering. I love this!

    Reply
  2. Leslie

    August 11, 2020 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    I like the idea of freezing the oat milk to enjoy with other drinks. Great idea!

    Reply
  3. Chef Dennis

    August 11, 2020 at 6:13 am

    5 stars
    Yum! This Agua de Avena looks absolutely delicious and refreshing!

    Reply
  4. Amy

    August 11, 2020 at 2:05 am

    5 stars
    This sounds amazing! Not something I would normally have so I’m going to have to try it!

    Reply
  5. Sue

    August 10, 2020 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    I really must try this – I am especially intrigued by the caramel made from Medjool dates. Sounds so refreshing!

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      August 11, 2020 at 8:22 am

      Once you try date caramel as a sweetener you’ll never go back to regular sugar, Sue!

  6. Alexandra

    August 10, 2020 at 9:05 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious and refreshing drink!

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      August 10, 2020 at 10:10 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it Alexandra!

    • meesha

      August 11, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      This looks really refreshing !

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Michele Peterson in Tuscany Italy Credit Insight Vacations.

Hi, I'm Michele! Welcome to A Taste for Travel, one of the world’s top culinary travel blogs, welcoming over 1.5 million readers annually! 

Along with a team of expert travel writers, enthusiastic eaters and skilled photographers, we help readers plan incredible adventures and make delicious global recipes at home.

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