Cool off with a delicious, homemade Watermelon Agua Fresca! This refreshing drink is super easy to prepare and ready in minutes, plus you're sure to fall in love with its sunny, fresh watermelon flavor!
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Ginnie's Take
There's nothing better than a cool, refreshing drink on a hot day, and I especially love fruity aguas frescas! I can never pass up these lightly sweetened drinks at a Mexican restaurant, and I love serving them at home, too. This Watermelon Agua Fresca (or Agua de Sandia in Spanish) is my favorite. The flavor is truly unbeatable, and best of all, you only need three ingredients to make it. This is the perfect summer drink!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Fresh Flavor - This colorful drink tastes just like you've bitten into the sweetest, juiciest watermelon. So delish!
- Easy to Make - You need just three ingredients to prepare this simple recipe, and it's ready in minutes.
- Perfect Summer Treat - Serve this light, refreshing drink over ice on a sweltering summer day for the ultimate thirst quenching treat! The recipe is great for parties too, and it can be easily doubled or triple, if needed.
Jump to:
Ingredients
You'll need just a few basic ingredients (plus water) to make this Mexican fruit drink:
- Watermelon - Of course, you'll need fresh watermelon! At the store, look for a heavy melon with a smooth, firm rind and a large, creamy yellow field spot on the bottom. If the stem is attached, it should be dry, not green. And don't forget to give it a thump! Juicy watermelons should have a deep hollow sound and feel.
- Sugar - Granulated sugar dissolves easily, and it brings out the watermelon's natural sweetness and fruity flavor.
- Lime - Fresh lime juice brightens the other flavors and balances the drink's sweetness. If you're out of lime juice, lemon juice will also work.
This fresh watermelon drink is naturally vegetarian, vegan (if you use sugar labeled raw, organic, or vegan), gluten free, and nut free. Which means everyone at your table can enjoy it!
You'll Also Need
Grab a sharp, sturdy knife to cut the melon, and a blender (this is the blender I used) to purée the ingredients. You will also need a fine mesh strainer to strain the drink before serving, and a pitcher for serving. For a party, make a big batch and serve it in a traditional vitrolero!
How to Make a Watermelon Agua Fresca
This tasty Watermelon Water is truly simple to prepare! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Prep watermelon. Start by peeling and chopping the watermelon.
- Blend ingredients. Add the watermelon, sugar, lime juice, and water to your blender, then purée until smooth.
- Strain and serve. Run the drink using a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp, then served chilled over ice. Tip: You can also serve this agua fresca unstrained, if you prefer.
Okay, time to start sipping your homemade Watermelon Agua Fresca. I'm predicting that this will quickly become your favorite summer drink!
Variations
Feel like experimenting with the basic recipe? Here are a few easy ideas to try:
- Fruit Combo - Pair the watermelon with other fresh fruits, like cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, or even cucumbers.
- Sweetener - You can adjust the sugar to taste, or even skip it altogether, if you prefer. Other sweeteners, such as piloncillo (Mexican cane sugar), maple syrup, or honey, can also be used.
- Herbs - For a unique twist on the classic recipe, blend in some fresh herbs. Basil and mint would both be delish!
- Cocktail - Add a shot of vodka, tequila, or rum for a simple summer cocktail.
Serving Suggestions
This fresh, fruity drink is perfect for pairing with other Mexican favorites, like homemade Guacamole, the simple Nachos, my go-to Vegetable Fajitas, or these crunchy Black Bean Taquitos!
Storage
Store leftover Watermelon Fresca in a covered container in your refrigerator. I recommend drinking it within a day or two for the freshest flavor, although it can be stored for up to four days. Stir leftovers well before serving over ice.
Related Recipes
Looking for more watermelon drink recipes? Try one of these mouthwatering ideas next:
- For a similar summertime treat, check out this homemade Watermelon Juice. It's just as easy to make!
- Perfect for parties, this wonderful Watermelon Punch is super festive, yet it's prepared with the most minimal of ingredients.
- Make this delightful Watermelon Lemonade for a fun, fruity twist on the classic lemonade recipe!
- Craving a refreshing cocktail? You won't be able to resist these amazing Watermelon Margaritas or these Watermelon Mojitos!
P.S. Check out all of my watermelon recipes for even more ideas. You'll find everything from sweet treats, like these easy Watermelon Popsicles, to savory ideas, like this unique Watermelon Gazpacho!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
An agua fresca is a traditional, lightly-sweetened Mexican drink that's made by blending fresh fruit (or other ingredients, like dried hibiscus flowers, rice, or tamarind pulp) with water and sugar.
Agua fresca is a Spanish word that means "fresh water" or "cool water" in English.
Aguas frescas are fairly healthy drinks, especially compared to soda and juice. The chief ingredients are fresh fruit and water, making them very hydrating, and they're a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, too. As long as you avoid adding too much sugar, they can be a good addition to a healthy diet.
No, an agua fresca is not the same as juice. In addition to pure juice, aguas frescas also contain water (so they taste lighter and more refreshing), plus they're lightly sweetened with sugar (which pure juice does not contain). Aguas frescas are not always made with fruit either. They're commonly prepared with other ingredients, like rice (horchata), dried hibiscus flowers (jamaica), tamarind pulp (tamarindo), barley (cebada), chia seeds, and more.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped watermelon
- ½ cup cold water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Equipment
Instructions
- Combine watermelon, water, sugar, and lime juice in a blender, then blend until totally smooth.
- Place fine mesh strainer over a bowl (or large measuring cup), then strain watermelon mixture. Discard pulp.
- Serve cold over ice, garnished with a lime wedge, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
