Agua de valencia, the mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home

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Drink
Very Easy
48 min

Few combinations reflect the Mediterranean spirit as well as the Agua de Valencia cocktail. Born in the late 1950s in a café in the historic center, this typical Valencian drink combines well-chilled cava, freshly squeezed orange juice and a subtle touch of gin and vodka. Refreshing, sparkling and deceptively smooth, it is reminiscent of the famous French mimosa cocktail, although with more character and a more vibrant presence. Already a local classic, its popularity has grown quietly but steadily, making its way into all kinds of celebrations. This cava and orange cocktail is perfect for livening up a sophisticated brunch, extending a summer after-dinner conversation or raising a toast at the start of a dinner with friends. Would you like to try it?

Ingredients

3

For the simple syrup:

To garnish:

Materials

  • Large pitcher or cocktail shaker (preferably made of glass)
  • Juicer
  • Long spoon or cocktail stirrer
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Cocktail glasses (flutes, balloon glasses or wide-bowled glasses)

Preparation

Preparation15 min
Waiting time30 min
Cook time3 min
  • Agua de Valencia, the Mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home - Preparation step 1Squeeze the oranges and strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Set it aside in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, until well chilled. Meanwhile, chill the glass pitcher by placing it in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  • Agua de Valencia, the Mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home - Preparation step 2To make the simple syrup:
    In a small saucepan, pour in 25 g of mineral water and heat it gently without bringing it to a boil. Add 25 g of white sugar and stir with a spatula until completely dissolved. The mixture should be fluid, clear and free of crystals. Remove from the heat and let it cool completely. You can keep it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Agua de Valencia, the Mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home - Preparation step 3In the chilled pitcher, add the orange juice, vodka, gin and chilled syrup. Stir gently with a bar spoon, without shaking, until the mixture is well combined.
  • Agua de Valencia, the Mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home - Preparation step 4Add the very cold cava little by little, pouring it over the side of the pitcher to preserve its effervescence. Stir gently using a bar spoon, just enough to integrate without losing the bubbles.
  • Agua de Valencia, the Mediterranean cocktail with cava and orange that you can make at home - Preparation step 5Place one large ice cube in each pre-chilled glass. Slowly pour in the cocktail, taking care not to disturb the mixture or lose its fizz. If you like, garnish the glasses with a thin, curled strip of orange peel.

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FAQ ❓

What type of cava is best for making Agua de Valencia?

The ideal choice is a brut or brut nature cava, to provide freshness without adding extra sweetness. A sweeter cava can unbalance the cocktail, especially if simple syrup is used in the mix.
Yes, it can be made with bottled orange juice, but the result will not be the same. Freshly squeezed juice provides fresher acidity, less sweetness and a livelier texture. If you opt for packaged juice, choose one without added sugars or from concentrate, as close as possible to freshly squeezed juice.
Once mixed, Agua de Valencia should be consumed immediately, since cava quickly loses its fizz. Although it can be kept in the refrigerator for a few hours, its texture and flavor will deteriorate.
Only partially. You can prepare the juice, syrup and spirits in advance. However, the cava should be added just before serving to preserve its bubbles. This way, the cocktail will be ready in minutes without losing quality.
Simple syrup is optional, but it allows you to adjust the sweetness precisely. Granulated sugar does not dissolve well in cold or alcoholic mixtures and tends to remain undissolved at the bottom. Therefore, if you want to sweeten the cocktail evenly, it is best to use simple syrup.
Dry gin (London Dry) and a good-quality neutral vodka are recommended. The important thing is that they do not have strong aromas, so they do not overshadow the clean, citrus flavor of the drink.
To preserve the cava's bubbles, it is important to add it very cold and at the end, pouring it slowly down the side of the pitcher so the bubbles are not lost. Once it has been added, do not shake it: just stir gently, only enough to combine the ingredients. Both the pitcher and the glasses should be chilled in advance, and the cocktail should be poured gently over ice just before serving.
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version by replacing the cava with sparkling white grape juice or carbonated water, and the spirits with a touch of aromatic tonic water or white grape juice. The result will be milder, but just as refreshing.

Attributes

Keep refrigerated
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Patricia GonzálezPatricia González
Passionate about cooking and good food, my life revolves around carefully chosen words and wooden spoons. Responsible, yet forgetful. I am a journalist and writer with years of experience, and I found my ideal corner in France, where I work as a writer for Petitchef. I love bœuf bourguignon, but I miss my mother's salmorejo. Here, I combine my love for writing and delicious flavors to share recipes and kitchen stories that I hope will inspire you. I like my tortilla with onions and slightly undercooked :)

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