Agua de Valencia (Aigua de València in Valentian) means “Water from Valencia”. It’s a very well known cocktail in Spain. This drink was invented by Constante Gil in 1959 at the Café Madrid, in the city of Valencia, at the eastern coast of Spain. The story after this creation is that this Café was frequented by a group of Basque travelers that always ordered “Agua de Bilbao” (water from Bilbao, a Basque city) referring to the best cava at the bar, that they drink like water. One day they challenged the bartender to serve them something new like “Agua de Valencia”, and they were very pleased after tasting Constatnte’s creation made of orange juice (valentian oranges are worldwide known), vodka, gin and cava. In the 70’s it became popular throughout Spain, and nowadays you can find it everywhere in the Eeastern regions of Spain.
This drink is usually mixed in advance and chilled, and it’s served in big jars, so it’s a drink to share and enjoy with good friends. But it can also be scaled down to fit a single serve, like the one I’ve made for myself. I’ve usedAbsolut vodka, Larios 12 gin (an old spanish brand), semi-dry Freixenet cava and orange juice made with valentian oranges (the juicing variety). These oranges are sweet enough, but you can use a little bit of simple or sugar to sweeten it if necessary.
The result is a very refreshing cocktail, similar to a mimosa, but higher in ABV and herbal nuances from the gin. I encourage you to try this piece of Spanish culture! Salud!
Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Vodka: 1 oz. (30 ml).
- Gin: 1 oz. (30 ml).
- Cava (or other dry sparkling wine): 2 oz. (30 ml).
- Orange juice: 2 oz. (60 ml).
- Garnish: orange wheel.
Directions:
- Into a glass filled with ice, add orange juice, vodka and gin.
- Pour slowly the cava on top.
- Stirr gently to combine.
- Garnish the orange wheel.
Notes:
This is the recipe for a single serve, but this cocktail is usualy prepared in advance and batched. Just scale up the ingredients to match the servings needed, fill a jar with them and chill in the refrigerator. Then add ice and orange wheels to the glasses, pour the mixture and enjoy in good company.