Ingredients
The jug
- 750 mlcava brut, well chilled
- 500 mlfresh orange juice, from about 6 Valencia oranges
- 60 mlgin
- 60 mlvodka
- 2 tbspcaster sugar, or to taste
To serve
- ice
- orange slices
Directions
- Squeeze the oranges and strain the juice of pips, leaving some pulp. Bottled juice makes a different and much duller drink.
- Stir the sugar into the juice until fully dissolved, then add the gin and vodka. Doing this before the cava means no stirring is needed afterwards.
- Chill the mixture thoroughly, at least an hour. Everything must be cold before the cava goes in.
- Pour the cava down the side of the jug in one steady stream and fold once, gently, with a long spoon. Vigorous stirring drives off the bubbles that make the drink.
- Serve immediately in wide glasses over a little ice, with an orange slice. It is made by the jug and drunk quickly, and it does not keep.
Technique
- Brut, not semi-seco. The orange juice brings plenty of sugar and a sweet cava makes the whole thing cloying.
- It tastes far softer than its strength, which is the drink’s reputation in Valencia. Serve it with food.
Substitutions
- Any dry sparkling wine works, though cava is what the drink is built on.
- Blood orange juice makes a darker, slightly bitter version.
Variations
- A lighter mix with the spirits halved, closer to what most Valencian bars pour.
- Some bars add a splash of Cointreau in place of the vodka.
History
Created at Café Madrid in Valencia around 1959 by Constante Gil for regulars bored of Agua de Bilbao.
Frequently asked questions
What is Agua de Valencia?
Agua de Valencia is a cocktail from Spain: cava with fresh orange juice, gin and vodka, served in a jug. Created at Café Madrid in Valencia around 1959 by Constante Gil for regulars bored of Agua de Bilbao.
How long does Agua de Valencia take to make?
Agua de Valencia takes 10 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 jug, about 6 glasses. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Agua de Valencia?
Yes, within limits. Any dry sparkling wine works, though cava is what the drink is built on. Blood orange juice makes a darker, slightly bitter version.
What is the most important thing to get right in Agua de Valencia?
Chill the mixture thoroughly, at least an hour. Everything must be cold before the cava goes in.
