Learning Spanish? In Mexico City, 'Agua' might not mean what you think it means

Don't be surprised if you order water but you don't get water. Give this delicious alternative a try.

Prickly pear aguas frescas at Nican Nican in Roma Norte

On my first trip to Mexico City, I knew about 25 Spanish words, and 20 of them were the numbers 1 to 20. (Thank you, Sesame Street!)

Still, I wanted to use the little Spanish I had, so I confidently strung together three of those words:

“Agua, por favor.”

Instead of hearing the “Sí” I expected from th…