When it comes to Spanish cocktails, the Aqua de Valencia is undoubtedly one of the best known and most popular. This sparkling drink, which originated in the beautiful city of Valencia, is characterised by its fruity freshness and is the perfect companion for warm summer evenings. In this article, you will learn more about the history of Aqua de Valencia and receive an authentic recipe that you can use to easily prepare this Spanish classic at home.
The Aqua de Valencia was first created in the Spanish city of Valencia in the 1950s. The cocktail was created in the legendary bar „Café Madrid“, where bartender Constante Gil offered it as a refreshing alternative to the popular drinks of the time. The combination of fresh orange juice, cava (Spanish sparkling wine), vodka and gin was an instant hit with guests and quickly spread beyond the city limits. Today, the Aqua de Valencia is a symbol of Spanish joie de vivre and enjoyment not only in Spain, but worldwide.
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Here is the classic recipe for Aqua de Valencia, which you can easily remix:
Preparation:
Prepare the orange juiceSqueeze the oranges until you have 500 ml of fresh orange juice. The flavour of Aqua de Valencia depends heavily on the quality of the juice, so it is worth using ripe and sweet oranges.
MixingPour the freshly squeezed orange juice into a large carafe. Add the cava, vodka and gin. Stir the mixture gently to retain the carbonation of the cava.
SweeteningAdd 2-3 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture and stir again until the sugar is completely dissolved. Depending on your personal preference, you can add more or less sugar.
CoolingAdd a generous amount of ice cubes to the carafe to chill the drink well. Allow the Aqua de Valencia to infuse for a few minutes so that the flavours can develop optimally.
ServePour the finished Aqua de Valencia into chilled glasses. Decorate each glass with a slice of orange and a mint leaf for an attractive look.
SavourYour refreshing Aqua de Valencia is now ready to be served. Cheers!
