The aguas frescas ("fresh waters") at the Sosa stand include horchata (or-Chot-uh, the leftmost of the four large containers), a name that describes a variety of vegetable beverages but that in New York typically denotes a sugared drink made from rice and scented with cinnamon.
Many restaurants in the city seem to rely on a commercial powdered mix, or a concentrate; this horchata had a more personal touch, sweet and clean to the bottom of the cup. From an expanded lineup, the Sosa limeade and tamarind are a little strong, almost puckering, and the melon drink is pleasant; I haven't yet tried the tamarind, lemonade, watermelon, pineapple, or jamaica (a.k.a. sorrel).
Compared with the canopy of seasons past (the photo above is from 2006), the newer Sosa truck (below) offers little room to maneuver; let's hope that sales don't suffer during peak hours.
Sosa Fruits
Red Hook Ball Fields
Near Clinton and Bay Sts., Red Hook, Brooklyn
Saturday and Sunday, May through October
