I was so stoked to find a Rancho San Miguel Market in Merced, and even more stoked to see that they…read morehad a stand-alone antojitos shop in the parking lot.
Lately, I've been craving pineapple: pineapple juice, pineapple tea, pineapple shakes-- like, no matter how much pineapple I drink, I just can't get enough.
So, that's what I was in search of.
I walked straight to the aguas frescas (for any other gringos who may not know, aguas frescas are fresh fruit juices, and they're life-changingly delicious). "Do you have pineapple?"
I didn't see any pineapple, but the server said, "Yes, we have pineapple cucumber spinach, do you want to try it?" He was basically already pouring me a sample, so I couldn't say no.
I tried it, and it was actually really delicious, but it reminded me too much of the spinach smoothies I used to make at 'home.' I really wanted something more like a light juicy tea, so I ordered a jamaica.
"What are aguas locas?" He looked like he was trying not to laugh at me (but in a cute way) as he explained that aguas locas are aguas frescas with added fresh fruit, chamoy candies, chamoy straw, and chamoy/tajin rim.
Ordering a jamaica loca may not have been the wisest choice-- it probably would have been better with any other flavor of agua fresca. It was a little weird, but I still loved it, because all of the ingredients were so fresh and delicious.
I've ordered several mangonadas over the summer, all over NorCal (and even Nevada). Oftentimes, the ice, chamoy, or mango puree can be less than fresh, but this was not the case.
This tasted like the freshest jamaica I've ever had. The ice tasted like fresh, clean ice (the way that all ice should taste, but, unfortunately, not everyone cleans and maintains their machines appropriately).
Even though I wouldn't recommend copying my exact order, I would definitely recommend checking this place out. I would definitely stop by again next time I'm in Merced.