Lágrimas de la Virgen (Beet Cooler With Fruits)

Name: Lágrimas de la Virgen (Beet Agua Fresca With Fruits)
Yield: 12 cups
Ingredients: 4 red beets; 8 cups water; 1 cup sugar; 1 small apple (Fuji or McIntosh), peeled and diced; 1 banana, diced; 1 small orange, peeled and diced; 4 leaves romaine lettuce, cut into thin strips; Juice of 1 lime

By Fany Gerson

May 22, 2020

Photo of glasses of agua fresca on a marble countertop with lemons limes and rosemary.

Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo

The literal translation of the name of this drink is “the Virgin’s tears,” as the red color of the beets resembles tears of blood said to have been shed by the Virgin Mary. This beverage originated in the state of Guanajuato, maybe as long ago as the end of the sixteenth century. I found a few different variations, but this one seemed to be the most common, and it’s quite special. Although this beverage is customarily prepared during Lent for the festivities of Friday of Sorrows (the Friday before Good Friday), it’s a wonderful drink during fall, when beets and apples abound. This recipe makes a large batch to share at your next gathering.

Note

If you don't have a juicer, put the unpeeled beets in a baking pan, cover with foil, and roast at 375°F until fork-tender. Let sit until cool enough to handle, then peel them with your hands (the skins will slip off easily). Blend the roasted beets with some of the water. Proceed with the recipe as written.

Recipe information

Yield
12 cups

Ingredients

4 red beets

8 cups water

1 cup sugar

1 small apple (Fuji or McIntosh), peeled and diced

1 banana, diced

1 small orange, peeled and diced

4 leaves romaine lettuce, cut into thin strips

Juice of 1 lime

Preparation

Step 1
Peel the beets. Cut them into chunks and pass them through a juicer.
Step 2
Combine the water and sugar in a pitcher and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the beet juice.
Step 3
Refrigerate until completely chilled. Add the apple, banana, orange, and lettuce, then stir in the lime juice (which will help prevent the fruit from browning). Serve chilled over ice, if desired.
Step 4
Alternately, divide the mixed diced fruit among the glasses; place the beet water in a pitcher for guests to pour over.

Paletas cookbook cover with photo of colorful popsicles.

From Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas by Fany Gerson, copyright ©2011. Photographs copyright © 2011 by Ed Anderson. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. Order the full book from Amazon.