Agua de Valencia: what it is, its origin, the recipe and where to drink it

Few drinks say as much about a city as Agua de Valencia, literally "Valencia water". The name is misleading, because there is very little water in it: it is a cocktail of orange juice, cava, vodka and gin, served in a jug to share, and it has become Valencia's toast of choice, from long summer lunches to terraces during Fallas.

This guide explains what it is, how it was born, what goes into it, how to make it at home, which variations exist and where to drink it in Valencia.

The essentials in 30 seconds

• What it is: Valencia's most famous cocktail, made with fresh orange juice, cava, vodka and gin.
• Who invented it: Constante Gil, a painter and bartender, in 1959 at Café Madrid in Valencia.
• How it is served: in a jug to share, very cold, in cava or champagne glasses.
• Careful: it goes down very easily, but it contains three alcoholic drinks. Take it slowly.
• Where to drink it: at Café Madrid, where it was born, in bars around the old town and on terraces with views such as Àtic, at Palau Alameda, which serves its own version by the jug.

The origin of Agua de Valencia

Agua de Valencia was born in 1959 at Café Madrid, in the city's old town. It was created by Constante Gil, a painter and the bar's bartender. The story goes that some regulars from Bilbao always ordered "agua de Bilbao", their joking name for cava, and Constante Gil answered with a mix of his own that he called, also as a joke, "agua de Valencia".

The first versions were made mainly with cava and Valencian orange juice. Vodka and gin were added over time, and that is the recipe now known as the classic. Since then it has become one of the city's most recognisable drinks and a must for visitors.

What is in Agua de Valencia

• Fresh orange juice, ideally from freshly squeezed Valencian oranges.
• Cava, brut or dry, well chilled.
• Vodka.
• Gin.
• Sugar, optional and in moderation, only if the oranges are not very sweet.
• Ice to chill the mix.

Agua de Valencia recipe, step by step

Approximate proportions per glass: 60 ml of orange juice, 20 ml of vodka, 20 ml of gin and 50 ml of cava. For a jug of about six glasses, multiply by six.

1. Squeeze the oranges just before you make it and strain the juice.
2. Put ice in a jug and add the juice, vodka and gin.
3. Stir gently until the mix is well chilled.
4. Add the cava last, slowly, so it keeps its bubbles.
5. Serve in chilled glasses and drink slowly.

Tips to get it right

• Freshly squeezed oranges, never packaged juice. It is the basis of the flavour.
• Everything very cold: the cava, the jug and the glasses.
• Cava always goes in last. If you stir it hard, it loses its bubbles.
• Go easy on the sugar. The sweetness should come from the oranges.
• Make it fresh. As the minutes pass it loses freshness and fizz.

Variations of Agua de Valencia

• With orange liqueur: some recipes add a dash of orange liqueur to boost the citrus flavour.
• Alcohol-free: orange juice with an alcohol-free sparkling wine or lemonade, for non-drinkers and children.
• Signature versions: many cocktail bars reinterpret it with other fruits, spirits or sparkling wines. At Àtic, "Nuestra Agua de Valencia" is made with apple vodka, gin, orange, mango, passion fruit and cava.

Where to drink Agua de Valencia in Valencia

• Café Madrid, in the old town, where it was born. Almost a must to discover its story.
• Bars in the old town and El Carmen, where many have it on the menu, served by the jug.
• A terrace with views. On the Àtic terrace at Palau Alameda, "Nuestra Agua de Valencia" is served in a jug to share for €32, as part of its cocktail menu. It is a lovely way to try it at sunset, overlooking Paseo de la Alameda.

If you are into cocktails, here is everything about Àtic's cocktail bar in Valencia, and if you are looking for a terrace, our guide to the rooftop terrace in Valencia.

When to drink Agua de Valencia

• After a meal, following a paella. Here is where to have paella for dinner in Valencia.
• At a tardeo, sharing a jug with friends. This is how tardeo in Valencia works.
• During Fallas and in summer, when the city lives outdoors and you want something refreshing.
• To toast at celebrations, birthdays and reunions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Agua de Valencia?

It is Valencia's most famous cocktail: a mix of fresh orange juice, cava, vodka and gin, served cold in a jug to share.

What is in Agua de Valencia?

The classic recipe contains fresh orange juice, cava, vodka and gin, with ice and, if needed, a little sugar. As a guide, per glass: 60 ml of juice, 20 ml of vodka, 20 ml of gin and 50 ml of cava.

Who invented Agua de Valencia?

Constante Gil, a painter and bartender, in 1959 at Café Madrid in Valencia. The story goes that he created it in response to some customers from Bilbao who ordered "agua de Bilbao", their joking name for cava.

Is Agua de Valencia very strong?

Stronger than it seems. The orange juice softens the taste, but it contains cava, vodka and gin, so it is best to drink it slowly.

Where can you drink Agua de Valencia in Valencia?

At Café Madrid, where it was born, in many bars in the old town and on terraces such as Àtic, at Palau Alameda, which serves its own version in a jug to share, overlooking Paseo de la Alameda.

Is there an alcohol-free Agua de Valencia?

Yes. It is made with fresh orange juice and an alcohol-free sparkling wine or lemonade, keeping the jug and the way it is served.