Turn a favorite Mexican candy into something cool, creamy and refreshing:  Mazapan Agua Fresca

Working at my grandmother’s store as a kid I had the opportunity to discover many Mexican candies.  Some were delivered directly from the manufacturing warehouses and others were homemade.  Many were shipped from various states that specialized in a particular candy variety.  My grandmother’s little store was stocked with many treats and I was the lucky kid who got to taste test the latest Mexican products.

My favorite?  De la Rosa Mazapán.  A peanut confection so fragile, it was a challenge to just remove the packaging and not damage this tender disc of goodness.  If you squeezed or pulled too hard on the packaging, the candy would crumble into a million little pieces.  It was all part of the experience.

Related recipe:  Agua Fresca de Coco y Nuez

Now, I can find de la Rosa Mazapán in any Latin market in Los Angeles. And with the power of the internet, you can have it delivered to your front door. That bright yellow box with an illustration of a red rose is an unmistakeable Mexican icon.  I’ve seen mazapán earrings, pins, rings and necklaces all over Instagram.  They are adorable and recognizable.

I love to enjoy mazapanes as is.  Carefully out of the package, but when you have a full box, you must make agua fresca.  If you like horchata, you will love agua de mazapán.  It’s creamy and refreshing, just like horchata but with a hint of peanut.

Agua de mazapán is very easy to make.  You don’t need to soak any ingredients like you do for the traditional horchata.  All you have to do is blend and serve over ice.

Next time you catch a glimpse of the charming de la Rosa Mazapán box, remember this recipe.  It’s great to serve as a compliment to spicy Mexican dishes or can be enjoyed as a sweet refresher during hot days.  Enjoy!