When people think of food in the Valencian region of Spain, paella usually come to mind.
But when it comes to drinks, the story changes. Horchata is one of the most well-known non-alcoholic drinks from Valencia. On the alcoholic side, there’s a cocktail called Agua de Valencia that stands out.
Valencia cocktail: Sunshine in a glass
Agua de Valencia is a mix of orange juice, cava or champagne, vodka, and gin. It’s usually shared among friends in big pitchers and served in wide glasses. You’ll find it in many bars around central Valencia.
The drink has an interesting origin. Back in 1959, some visitors from the Basque Country were at Café Madrid in Valencia. Tired of drinking the usual sparkling wine, they asked the owner, Constante Gil, to come up with something new. Gil, who was also a painter, mixed cava with orange juice, vodka, gin, and sugar, and just like that, Agua de Valencia was born. It quickly became a local favourite.
How to make Agua de Valencia
This drink is easy to make and doesn’t take long. Still, it tastes better if you chill it for about an hour before serving. Cold and fruity, it’s one of Spain’s most refreshing cocktails.
To make it, you’ll need:
- 500 ml of fresh orange juice
- 500 ml of cava or champagne
- 250 ml of vodka
- 250 ml of gin
- 1 orange
- Ice
Start by squeezing fresh oranges until you get about half a litre of juice. Strain it to take out the pulp. In a large pitcher, mix the juice with cava, vodka, and gin. Stir everything well and place it in the fridge for at least an hour to get it nice and cold.
Slice the orange and cut a few pieces into quarters to toss into the pitcher just before serving. You can also save a few slices to decorate the glasses. Add ice to the pitcher or straight into the glasses, give the drink one final stir, and it’s ready to enjoy.
