10 Tempting Mexican Mocktails for Kids to Savor: Discover the Flavors of Mexico Without Alcohol

• Mocktails are perfect for kids to replenish their nutrients while sipping delicious drinks;

• Mexico is widely known as the birthplace of many healthy beverages: from champurrado to atole!

• Not every Mexican beverage contains tequila or mezcal;

• You can find a lot of mocktails in bars in Mexico (you can even buy one from street vendors, it’s as delicious as it gets);

• Agua fresca is the most popular non-alcoholic drink in Mexico and Latin America.

Mexico is famous for its delicious cuisine and delicious drinks. If you’ve ever been to Mexico, you have probably noticed all the colorful drinks offered at the local bars and street vendors. Some contain alcohol, others don’t, but regardless of what you get, it’ll sure be tasty. Just make sure you know what’s the drinking age in Mexico before you indulge.

However, if you’re planning a trip down to colorful Mexico with your family, then this article is for you. We dedicate this one to the Mexican drinks for kids, or to be more specific, Mexican non-alcoholic drinks your kids will love! While you sip on the “elixir of the Gods” mezcal or tequila, your little ones can freshen up with a glass of Agua de Jamaica or a Champurrado.

Ready to splash into the 10 most popular Mexican drinks non-alcoholic drinkers will enjoy? Ahí vamos.

A Bit of Mexican Culinary History

Hands-down, Mexican cuisine is world-renowned, bursting with different colors and flavors, in both the dishes and drinks. Throughout history, a lot of ancient civilizations contributed to the versatility and uniqueness of Mexican cuisine.

Whether we’re talking about the Aztecs who originated the tequila or the Spaniards that presumably taught the Aztecs about distilling or other Mesoamerican traces noticeable in today’s cuisine, Mexico is a true melting pot of flavors, aromas, and colors.

We wouldn’t enjoy the Mexican cuisine we know and appreciate today if it weren’t for the influence of the French, the Mesoamericans, the Spaniards, and a few more civilizations. However, with all the traits of different cultures within, Mexican cuisine has really evolved into its own, staple culinary destination.

Even though the French gave Mexico its baked goods and the Spaniards brought chicken, pork, and beef with them, the Mexicans took all of that and introduced garlic, onions, and rice into the mix. The result? – A steaming pot of delicious, genuine dish found nowhere else.

Regardless of the global influences, Mexico stayed true to beans, chili peppers, corn, and tortilla warps, and we are so thankful for it! All of the tasty food Mexico offers goes really well with our top picks for traditional Mexican drinks, and nonalcoholic beverages you’ll totally love!

A good portion of local Mexican drinks is practically mocktails that even your kids can enjoy. Below are some of the tastiest mocktails that we found, that anyone can try regardless if they’re of the legal drinking age in Mexico or not.

1. Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Flower Tea)

Agua de Jamaica is inarguably one of Mexico’s most popular agua fresca-type of drinks. It’s basically a very refreshing and somewhat tangy tea made from dried hibiscus leaves as its base.

Those dried-up hibiscus leaves are then immersed in water with a dash of sugar. The vivid red color and the biting flavor of the tea will spike kids’ curiosity so they’ll enjoy a healthy, refreshing drink, whenever, wherever.

Next time you’re in Mexico, take a rain check on the typical sodas and try an Agua de Jamaica instead. The fact that the drink is abundant in vitamin C and antioxidants makes it that much more of an excellent and healthy kid-friendly beverage. It’s excellent for boosting the immune system, so it’s not only a tasty but also very healthy mocktail.

Other than vitamin C, Agua de Jamaica is abundant in other antioxidants, too, like anthocyanin and beta-carotene which are the number 1 enemy of inflammation, something kids are prone to. Agua de Jamaica pairs very well with a mid-day meal and is a great substitute for soda.

How to Make Agua de Jamaica

If you prefer to make this precious Mexican drink non-alcoholic (as it is) you won’t need many ingredients nor spend hours prepping it. Here is the detailed recipe for Agua de Jamaica:

• Rinse 12 ounces of hibiscus leaves (Jamaica);
• Have a large pot filled with a gallon of filtered water;
• Add the hibiscus leaves, some sugar, add three sticks of cinnamon to the gallon of water. Be sure to add the leaves in cold water;
• Bring the mixture to a boil;
• Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to steep for half an hour;
• Have a strainer and line it with a cotton kitchen towel;
• Pour the mix into the strainer;
• Lift the towel and then squeeze the remaining liquid from the leaves.

And that wraps up the recipe for an Agua de Jamaica. To serve this drink, pour the mix into a pitcher and fill glasses as needed. Remember to refrigerate whatever you don’t use so it doesn’t spoil.

1. Horchata

Next up is Horcahta, a creamy, sweet drink made from milk, cinnamon, rice, and sugar. You’ll find a horchata in almost every bar or at any street vendor in Mexico as it’s the staple drink of the whole Mexican culture.

This is one of the most popular Mexican drinks non-alcoholic-loving tourists will enjoy. Plus, if your kiddos are there with you, don’t think twice about introducing a glass of tasty horchata – they will relish the taste. Other than the super delicious taste, the horchata is also healthy. This low-fat and low-calorie drink comes with only 60 to 100 calories.

The locals are also pretty fond of horchata, and consider it one of the most widespread agua fresca flavors. If you’ve been to a Mexican restaurant in the States, you might have spotted a horchata on the menu, too. This delicious beverage is highly praised for its rich sweet taste and thick consistency, and it goes pretty well with tacos, or other spicy Mexican treats.

As opposed to what many seem to believe, traditional horchata isn’t made of milk. However, you can add some to make it a bit creamier.

How to Make Horchata

The complexity of the flavor of the horchata really corresponds to the difficulty of making one – it takes some time to soak and strain the mixture. Once you decide to give homemade horchata a go, you can enjoy it either hot or cold.

Here is the full recipe for homemade horchata.

• Have 3 cups of long-grain rice, uncooked;
• A couple of cinnamon sticks;
• A teaspoon of lime zest;
• 5 cups of drinking water, cold;
• Some milk and vanilla (optional);

The preparation of this delicious, creamy goodness goes like this:

• Blend the rice, cinnamon sticks, and half of the water. Leave it like that to soak overnight.
• Add the remaining water and blend some more until the rice is all ground nicely.
• Leave the mixture to sit for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight to soak well;
• Line a strainer with a kitchen cloth and pour the mix over it  – it will remove the leftovers from the liquid.
• Lastly, add milk, vanilla, and sugar. Give it a good stir and pour it into a mug filled with ice (or enjoy it hot).

And there you have it – your own, tasty and healthy homemade horchata everyone in your family will love. Whatever you don’t use, you can keep in the fridge and serve as needed. And if you want to add some “spice” to yours, it pairs well rum, tequila, or mezcal.

1. Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a sour-sweet drink typically made of tamarind fruit. Its unique taste is both sweet and slightly pungent. Abundant in fiber and antioxidants, tamarindo is one of the best Mexican drinks for kids.

Depending on how ripe the fruit is, the drink would be more or less sweet – the riper the fruit, the sweeter the juice.

Incredibly rich in carotenes, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B, and magnesium (among a bunch of other nutrients), tamarindo will boost your kid’s immune system and help with digestive struggles. If your kiddo has had a hard time doing number 2, a glass of tamarindo might take care of the problem.

Locals also use tamarind pulp juice to treat conjunctivitis, while others use it as a natural metabolism booster. If you mention tamarind to some Mexican elders, they’ll tell you the juice from the plant’s pulp is perfect for stomach ulcers and battling heartburn. Throughout history, Mexicans used tamarind juice for pain relief, especially in the event of sun strokes.

Whether you are in Mexico or the U.S., you can find tamarindo in restaurants, sold by street vendors, at fairs, and in outdoor markets in both Mexico and the U.S.

How to Make Tamarindo

As summer is slowly approaching, having a go-to summer drink can save you from a lot of troublewondering how to cool off on a hot summer’s day. Making a batch of refreshing, homemade tamarindo juice is pretty easy, and here’s what you’ll need.

• 6 cups water
• ⅓ cup tamarind juice or concentrate
• 6 cups ice, or as preferred
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 6 slices lime
• 6 slices orange

To prepare the tamarindo, here is what to do with the ingredients:

• Mix the water and the liquid ingredients together in a pitcher and stir vigorously until the sugar dissolves.

That’s the easy-peasy tamarindo you can make at home. No cooking, soaking, skimming, or straining is needed – just prep, stir, and enjoy one of the most refreshing, non-alcoholic Mexican drinks with your kids.

Enjoy it with breakfast or a plate of carne asada, as the locals do.

1. Champurrado

Here’s another entry in the Mexican drinks nonalcoholic list we compiled for you. Champurrado is a rather dense but super flavorful beverage. It is essentially a Mexican version of hot chocolate.

It is made of masa (corn dough), cinnamon, chocolate, and milk. By only looking at the ingredients, you can tell it is one of those traditional Mexican kid drinks your little one won’t get enough of. It’s basically a comfort drink that’ll fit nicely on a cold day.

Traditional champurrado comes in many varieties. Some prepare it with water, others with milk, and there are even versions of this beverage made with both water and milk, it’s all about preference.

Another reason why we consider this beverage a great healthy option for both kids and adutls is because it is abundant in calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamin A. Plus, the champurrado boasts a lot of protein content (35% in 100 g.), and fiber (14% in 100 g.)

How to Make Champurrado

Champurrado isn’t that complicated to prep, you just need the right ingredients and follow a particular order. First, here are the ingredients you’ll need for the recipe:

• 1/2 cup of masa or 2/3 cup of cornflour;
• 4 cups of whole milk
• Around 2 oz of Mexican chocolate (major supermarkets should carry Taza Chocolate)
• 1 1/2 cups of warm water;
• 1 stick of cinnamon, or 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt;

The preparation looks like this:

• Mix the masa in one cup of water and add it to the blender. Blend until you get a puree-like texture and set it aside;
• Pour a cup of water, and the cinnamon into a medium pot or large saucepan. Let it cook until it boils (around 5 mins);
• Add the milk and whisk. You can remove the cinnamon at this point, or leave it some more if you want extra flavor
• After the milk becomes hot (but not boiled), add the chocolate, and start whisking until it all melts. Keep stirring so you don’t end up with the mixture sticking to the bottom.
• Once this mixture is hot enough, pour the masa and water mix and keep whisking;
• Turn down the heat and let it all simmer for up to 20 minutes. Once you see the mixture is dense, you can take it off the heat. If you like, you can add more milk to get a more liquidy champurrado.

In essence, champurrado should be a thick, chocolaty beverage that can taste even better by adding a touch of vanilla, cinnamon, or star anise. This super tasty drink goes well in the morning to complement a hearty breakfast meal. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat it, you can mix in a bit of water or milk, stir and heat it up in the microwave.

Serve while hot and buen provecho!

1. Licuado de Frutas (Fruit Smoothie)

Here’s a fruit smoothie that’s one of the best super refreshing Mexican non-alcoholic drinks to give your kids on a hot day out. Locals in Mexico use different kinds of fruit to make a licuado – from mangos to bananas to strawberries. Whichever fruit smoothie you choose, you can rest assured your kids are well-hydrated with a delish drink. Plus, introducing a licuado de frutas to your kid is a great way to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies.

As a typical smoothie, this is one of those Hispanic drinks non-alcoholic kids will enjoy sipping on to get a daily dose of vitamins. Licuado translates to blended or liquefied, and it is one of the staples in Mexican cuisine, made of milk, fresh fruit, and ice.

In other parts of Latin America, you’ll find a licuado de frutas as batido. Other than fruit, the typical Mexican smoothies can be made with nuts, honey, and various spices (cloves, vanilla, etc.). This Latin smoothie has good nutritive values, making it a vital part of a wholesome breakfast meal.

If you want to energize your body to tackle the day, get yourself a tall glass of licuado de frutas, garnish it with some fresh fruits on the rim, and enjoy. Kids will love sipping on it too.

How to Make Licuado de Frutas

There’s nothing easier than making a fresh batch of this kid-favorite smoothie – you can have it ready in under 10 minutes!

• 1 large, medium-ripe banana;
• 1 cup fresh apricots or strawberries;
• 1/2 cup fruit juice of choice;
• 1 cup milk, or vanilla yogurt;
• Put all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until the mixture smoothens.

And, that’s about it! Have your glasses ready, pour in the smoothie, and enjoy the abundance of flavors that will do good to your whole body.

1. Atole

You can find atole, a dense drink made of corn, almost anywhere in Mexico and Central America. In those parts, the locals enjoy atole as a breakfast beverage or indulge in a glass after dinner.

The beauty of atole is that it can be made from cornstarch, cornmeal, or masa (a type of flour used for tortillas). How dense it will be depends on the type of starch that is used, but genuine atole should be fairly thick and creamy, with no lumps. Before the Mexicans added their own stamp on the recipe, the original one included water as the base, but now it is made with milk, water, or a combo.

Whenever you’re in Mexico, treat your kid to a bowl of atole to enhance their digestion, boost the levels of antioxidants in the body, as well as enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of their immune system.

Plus, atole is superabundant in fiber, and energy-enhancing vitamins and minerals. To that extent, if your kid is struggling with vitamin deficiency, or has troubles with digestion, a nice bowl of atole will help soothe the tummy and replenish the vitamins in their body.

How to Make Atole

If you want to take a piece of Mexican culture to your home and enjoy one of the traditional Mexican drinks non-alcoholic aficionados and kids will enjoy, here is the recipe to make atole.

• 1 cup masa (or oatmeal, rice, barley, or wheat instead);
• 2 cups milk;
• 6 cups water;
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract;
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon;
• 1/2 grated piloncillo (or brown sugar instead);
• And a quarter tablespoon of salt;
• Mix all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and whisk them all up;
• Bring the mix to a simmer and cook it on medium-high heat while constantly whisking;
• Lower the heat and let it simmer for extra 5 minutes and which often.

You can tell your atole is ready when you stir it with a wooden spoon and the back of is fully coated. Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Serve it while it’s hot and enjoy all of its goodness.

1. Limonada (Lemonade)

We can’t complete a list of the most popular Mexican beverages non-alcoholic drinkers should try at least once in their life without including limonada – the Mexican variant of the lemonade we all know and love.

In Mexico, limonada is a classic drink made of fresh lime, sugar, and water. That’s it! The simple ingredients bring so much freshness, it’s truly the ultimate thirst quencher! The one thing that separates limonada from the lemonade we know is that the Mexican version uses limes instead of lemons.

Limes are superfruits that are abundant in vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and other important nutrients. Serving your kiddo a glass of limonada on a summer day will replenish the electrolytes they’ve lost during playing and running around. More on the upside, if your kids have trouble going to the bathroom, a glass or two of limonada will improve digestion.

How to Make Limonada

Making a pitcher of limonada is as easy as it gets. All you need is a couple of ingredients and you’re all set. Follow this recipe to make traditional Mexican limonada like a true local.

• 4 limes;
• 8 cups of cold drinking water;
• Half a cup of brown granulated sugar;
• Some ice and lime wheels for garnish;

Now that you have all the ingredients you need, you are all set to prepare a pitcher of tasty limonada. Here’s what to do:

• Wash and chop up the limes into slices and add 4 cups of cold drinking water. Add the half a cup of sugar to the mix and blend them together in a standard-type blender;
• Keep blending until the mix is homogenized (it should be somewhat foamy in a whitish color);
• Strain the juice into a large pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of water. Stir well and serve over some ice and lime wheels on the rim.

Enjoy a glass of limonada with breakfast to get your gut going, or at any time of day, whenever you feel you can use a refreshment.

1. Refresco de Tamarindo (Tamarind Soda)

Refresco de tamarindo, meaning tamarind juice, is a trending drink in Mexico and all over Latin America. It’s a delicious, bubbly drink that the kids will love, especially when it’s hot outside. Refresco de tamarindo is the go-to alternative to typical sodas our kids are first to chug down.

As opposed to sodas, refersco de tamarindo won’t oversaturate you with sugar or artificial colors. As a super tasty, non-alcoholic drink, the refresco de tamarindo is one of the healthiest Mexican drinks for kids.

While in Mexico, you can buy refresco de tamarindo in almost every local market, but since it’s so easy to make, you can give it a go and try to make it on your own. Made of tamarind fruit, this drink tastes both tangy and sweet.

We already spoke of the perks of tamarind – from boosting the immune system to helping with digestive issues – a refresco de tamarindo will benefit your little one’s health in more ways than one. This delicious fruit is rich in antioxidants, and magnesium, benefiting the nervous system, the eyes, the blood pressure, and the skin.

Having a glass of refresco de tamarindo every day can boost the look and health of the skin, hair, and overall health.

How to Make Refresco de Tamarindo

You can make a batch of refreshing, homemade refresco de tamarindo by using the pulp of the tamarind, some water, and sugar. Here is the full recipe:

• Fresh tamarind or store-bought tamarind pods
• Water
• Soda water
• Lime
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar
• A pinch of salt

After you gave gathered all the necessary ingredients, you can begin preparing your own refresco de tamarindo. The process goes like this:

• Crack open the shells and put the flesh in a bowl;
• Heat up some water in a pot and bring it to a simmer;
• Once heated, pour the water over the tamarind flesh about halfway up;
• Add the sugar and the pinch of salt;
• Stir vigorously every couple of minutes, for an hour;
• Strain the mix of tamarind water and pulp and transfer it into a blender and blend until smooth;

Serve the freshly made refresco de tamarindo in a glass with some ice, squirt some lime juice, and fill up the rest of the glass with soda water. Give it a good stir and enjoy. Any leftovers you might have should be kept in the fridge and served as needed.

1. Agua de Coco (Coconut Water)

A lot of us enjoy coconut water or coconut milk one way or the other, but the Mexicans have their own version of coconut water, called agua de coco. It’s a genuinely refreshing drink with amazing hydrating properties. Plus, ladies love agua de coco ‘cause it’s super low in calories but very high in electrolytes – it’s the perfect go-to beverage on a hot day, that both kids and adults will love.

Agua de coco also referred to as agua fresca de coco, is made using fresh coconut water, and some coconut milk. Besides Mexico, this is a popular drink in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, and you can find it served at parties and gatherings.

The water of young coconuts is tastier and wholesome than that of more mature coconuts, but, its properties vary from one country to another. However, an agua de coco is a super refreshing, cooling, and tasty drink that’s great as an after-workout refreshment, as it’s rich in antioxidants and super beneficial for heart health.

How to Make Agua de Coco

The recipe for agua de coco is super easy, so you can make a larger batch, keep it refrigerated, and enjoy it as you wish. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own coconut water drink:

• 2 cups coconut water;
• Half can condensed milk;
• 1 and a half cup coconut milk (approx. 13.5 oz.);
• 2 cups water;
• Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and homogenized;
• Transfer the drink to a pitcher with some ice.

And that’s it. Serve yourself a glass of delish agua de coco whenever you wanna replenish your body while enjoying an aromatic drink. If the drink is too sweet for you, add more coconut water.

1. Chia Fresca

Last but not least on our list of Mexican non alcoholic drinks is chia fresca – an amazingly healthy and refreshing drink made of chia seeds, water, and lime juice. Thanks to the chia seeds, a glass of chia fresca will look like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Chia seeds, (Salvia hispanica), originate from Mexico, being praised for their medicinal and nutritive properties for centuries. In the Mayan language, chia means strength. This power crop has been one of the predominant crops of Mexico, coming right after beans and corn. A fun fact about chia is that the Aztec warriors ingested it to give them the energy to endure battles, land work, and so on. Back in those times, chia was a highly prized crop that later on the Aztecs even used as currency.

Other than looking hella interesting, this is one of the Mexican drinks for kids that’s super healthy and abundant in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. A glass of chia fresca is the perfect choice to hydrate and improve digestion.

Containing fair amounts of calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium, chia fresca can help your little ones be healthily energized during the day, sleep better at night, boost their mood and concentration.

How to Make Chia Fresca

The complex look of the chia fresca doesn’t mean this delish beverage is difficult to make. In fact, you can prep and make it in around 10 minutes.

• 2-3 cups of drinking water (either tap or bottled);
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds;
• Half a tablespoon of honey for sweetener;
• A squirt of half a lemon or lime;
• A dash of Himalayan salt;

Once you have all the ingredients for chia fresca, here is what to do to prepare the beverage:

• Put the chia seeds, lemon/lime juice, water, honey, and salt in a tall glass;
• Stir consistently to avoid clumping, and set the glass aside for 15 minutes;
• Stir from time to time as the sees will deposit at the bottom of the glass;
• After the seeds have almost doubled in size (it means they are hydrated enough and begin looking like tomato seeds), stir the drink one last time.

Lastly, enjoy your refreshing, energizing drink immediately. If you prefer, you can use coconut water instead of plain water as it will boost the nutritional value of the drink (coconut water is packed with electrolytes) and add a more noticeable flavor.

Plus, if you want to make a vegan version of the chia fresca, swap the honey for maple syrup.

Discovering the Exciting Flavors of Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Mexico: The Wrap-Up

One of the most touristy things visitors in Mexico do is ignore the local beverages, but their drinks have just as much to offer. Don’t miss out by only sticking to beer and other staple drinks – explore the vibrant world of non-alcoholic drinks to pick you up on a hot summer’s day while strolling on the streets of Mexico City.

Mexico isn’t only known for its tortillas, tequila, and mezcal, but rather bursts with different flavors and colors of alcohol-free drinks everyone can enjoy. If you’re visiting Mexico for the first time with your kids, visit any local store or bar and ask for atole or limonada – one of the best Mexican drinks for kids.

Whether they prefer the creamy comfort of hot chocolate or the refreshing taste of frescas, your little ones will indulge their senses in either one of the options in our list of the best non-alcoholic Mexican drinks that kids of all ages will love.