Fruit punches, revisited

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to try amazing Latin inspired dishes at the Latin Food Fest in San Diego. A lot of the food flavors were very familiar to me, as I’ve grown up with Mexican food being my staple diet.

However, there were a few foods and drinks that I had been completely unfamiliar with. Some of the best flavors weren’t in the foods, but in the refreshing drinks that were offered. One such was the tropical punches and juices offered by Cocina 35, one of the restaurants representing Latin American flavors at the festival.

Three drinks stood out as brand new flavors that I couldn’t wait to try and make at home. These are ideal drinks for an afternoon out in the sun, whether folks are hanging out with family, or one is having a Latin food night with friends. The flavors are reminiscent of drinks that some might be familiar with, but with a Latin twist.

La verde -- The green machine (2 servings)

This refreshing drink may make some do a double take when they see its vibrant green color, but the flavors are perfect for cooling off. The pear adds a sweetness to this otherwise light drink, which is best served very cold with ice.

Ingredients:

• 1 pear
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 cup water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cucumber, peeled and cored

Put all ingredients into the blender and liquefy until all ingredients are a smooth consistency. Strain the juice in a strainer. Refrigerate the drink until it is at the preferred coldness. Enjoy with a glass of ice. This combination of sweet and spicy will make you the hit of any summer party.

Mangoneada -- fabulously fruity flavors (2 servings)

This drink has a more familiar taste than that of the previous recipe, but has a spicy flair that kicks its tastes up a notch. This drink is popular with Mexican households, leaves everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
• 1 ½ cups cold water
• ½ teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ teaspoon agave nectar or honey, more or less to taste
• Lime wedge, for garnish
• Tajin powder, for garnish
• Chamoy for garnish

Combine the mango chunks and water in a blender until smooth. Strain drink into pitcher, then stir in lime juice and agave to taste. In a blender, combine mango and water and blend until smooth. Before serving drinks, rim glasses with Tajin powder. Pour drinks, then drizzle with chamoy. Garnish with lime.

Guanabana juice with strawberries -- a cool Caribbean drink

This drink might seem the most exotic, but its flavors are surprisingly the most familiar. The guanabana (also known as soursop) can be found in Latin food stores, and the condensed juice can be found to save time on peeling and seeding. This drink is tasty, light, and when the strawberries are added, has a beautiful color.

Ingredients

• 1 guanabana (or box of condensed juice)
• ½ cup of coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 15 large strawberries cut into slices

Peel the guanabana carefully, making sure to remove all of the black seeds. Blend the guanabana with the coconut milk, then strain into a pitcher. This mixture will be thick, so use a spoon to mix the liquid as it strains. Add the nutmeg, vanilla and honey to the mixture and stir. Take the strawberry slices and allow them to float in the rest of the mixture as it cools in the refrigerator. Serve over ice.