Watermelon Agua Fresca
A light, hydrating, and naturally sweet Mexican drink made with fresh watermelon, lime, and a touch of sweetener. This refreshing beverage requires just minutes to prepare but delivers hours of cooling refreshment.
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine-mesh Sieve
- Large Pitcher
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh watermelon chunks about half a medium watermelon
- 4 cups cold water filtered preferred
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice approximately 2-3 limes
- 2-3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar adjust to taste
- fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- ice cubes
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Remove seeds from your watermelon chunks if necessary (though most modern varieties are seedless). For the sweetest flavor, choose a watermelon that sounds hollow when tapped and has a creamy yellow spot where it rested on the ground.
- Place watermelon chunks in a blender and pulse until completely liquefied, about 30-45 seconds. Don't overblend, as this can create unwanted foam.
- Pour the blended watermelon through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, using the back of a spoon to gently press and extract all the juice while leaving the pulp behind.
- Add cold water, fresh lime juice, and your chosen sweetener to the strained watermelon juice. Start with less sweetener than you think you need—you can always add more after tasting.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sweetener is completely dissolved. For best results, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour in the agua fresca, and garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime wedges. For entertaining, consider rimming glasses with Tajín (chili-lime seasoning) and salt for an authentic Mexican presentation.
Notes
For a zero sugar version, replace honey with 2-3 tablespoons of monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Lemon juice works well if limes aren't available.
Store in a glass pitcher with an airtight lid for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Natural separation is normal—simply stir before serving.
For longer preservation, freeze the strained watermelon juice in ice cube trays, then thaw and add fresh water and lime when ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 170mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 25mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!