Aguas Frescas Casilda: Oaxaca’s legendary market stand for refreshing aguas since 1926

Why Aguas Frescas Casilda feels like an essential stop in Oaxaca

Tucked inside the lively Mercado Benito Juárez, Aguas Frescas Casilda has been serving some of the most authentic and refreshing aguas in Oaxaca for nearly a century. This is not just another juice stand. It is a living piece of local culture where family recipes turn seasonal fruits, squash, and rice into drinks that locals and travelers alike line up for every day.

The market itself pulses with energy, colors, and the scent of street food and mezcal. Stepping up to the Casilda counter feels like finding a calm, cool corner in the middle of it all. The giant clay ollas, wooden stools, and bright orange signage have welcomed everyone from everyday Oaxacans to international visitors who quickly discover why this spot is considered a must-visit.

A family story that began in 1926

The Casilda tradition actually goes back even further, but the official stand opened in 1926 when Casilda Flores Morales received vendor license number 590 at just sixteen years old. She was the first woman to hold such a license in the market and quickly became known as “la Samaritana Oaxaqueña” for offering free water to students and anyone in need.

Her grandparents had already been selling aguas frescas in the Zócalo since around 1890. Today her children and grandchildren continue the exact same recipes, pouring them fresh from those same-style clay pots. The walls are covered with black-and-white family photos and portraits of Doña Casilda herself, reminding every visitor that this is a true multigenerational legacy.

Signature flavors you will want to try

The star of the show is the horchata de almendra con tuna. Creamy rice and almond horchata meets the vibrant pink of prickly pear, with chunks of cantaloupe and crunchy pecans floating inside. It is sweet, refreshing, and unlike anything else you will taste in the city. Other longtime favorites include chilacayota, a gently sweet squash drink cooked with cinnamon and panela, and seasonal options like guanabana, ciruela, zapote negro, pepino con limón, and passion fruit.

Everything is made fresh each morning with no artificial flavors or colors. The best flavors often sell out by midday, so plan to arrive early if you want the full selection. Each drink is served by the glass or to go, poured straight from the traditional ollas that line the counter.

How to find the stand and plan your visit

Aguas Frescas Casilda sits at Locales 30-31 inside the Mercado Benito Juárez, also known as Mercado 20 de Noviembre, right in the historic center of Oaxaca City. Look for the bright orange facade and the colorful papel picado decorations that flutter above the counter. The address is Flores Magón s/n, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez.

The stand is open Monday through Saturday from around 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is an easy walk from the Zócalo or any central hotel. Combine your visit with a morning market stroll: wander the aisles for fresh produce, handmade textiles, and mezcal tasting before cooling off with a tall glass of horchata.

• Best time: arrive before noon for the freshest selection.
• What to order first: horchata con tuna if it is available.
• Seating: wooden stools right at the counter for people-watching.

Practical tips to make your experience even better

The market can get warm and crowded, so a cold agua fresca here is the perfect break. Prices are very reasonable and portions are generous. The stand is family-friendly, cash is preferred, and the service is warm and quick.

Take a moment to look at the family photos and chat with the staff if the counter is not too busy. Many travelers say this simple stop becomes one of their favorite memories of Oaxaca because it feels so genuinely local and welcoming.

Why every traveler to Oaxaca should make time for Casilda

In a city famous for its food scene, Aguas Frescas Casilda stands out as an accessible, affordable, and deeply rooted experience. It is the kind of place where you sit on a stool, watch the market flow by, and taste flavors that have been perfected over generations. Whether you are exploring the city for the first time or returning for another visit, this little stand delivers a true taste of Oaxacan hospitality in every glass.

Next time you are wandering the Mercado Benito Juárez, follow the bright orange sign and the scent of fresh fruit. One sip of that iconic horchata con tuna and you will understand why locals and visitors keep coming back to Aguas Frescas Casilda year after year.