Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca is so fruity, fresh and delicious! This homemade agua fresca made with fresh watermelon is a refreshing summertime drink.

Mmm.. watermelon agua fresca. A delicious summer drink.

However, as a kid, whenever someone hauled out a watermelon I let out a disappointed sigh. It’s in our DNA to believe that anything red is going to be sweet, and anyone knows watermelons can’t hold their own with cherries, strawberries, or any fire engine red Kool Aid (“Ooohhh Yeahhh”) in a fructose fight.

Well tis the season for melons, and when life gives you watermelons, you make watermelon agua fresca.

Living in the Texas heat, I’ve learned a thing or two about the hydrating benefits and subtle fresh flavors of these delicious, south-of-the-border beverages.

Ingredients

• Watermelon - Seedless is best here! And ripe. If you don't get a seedless one, you'll spend some time removing all the seeds.
• Lime - Get a few limes, because this recipe calls for fresh lime juice!
• Water - Aqua fresca isn't just watermelon juice! It's paired with water to create that refreshing (but not too strong) drink.
• Sugar - You'll need some basic white granulated sugar to sweeten the agua fresca.
• Salt - A pinch of salt really brings all the elements together.

How to make watermelon lime agua fresca

First.. get a watermelon.

Slice the watermelon open, and then slice into chunks and remove all the black seeds if you made the same mistake we did and didn't get a seedless one. (Learn from our mistakes! Always get a seedless watermelon).

Once you have your watermelon in chunks, put in the blender with a bit of the water and a pinch of salt and blend, blend, blend!

Once all your watermelon is blended, pour through a strainer or mesh sieve into a pitcher.

Add the sugar, remaining water, and lime juice and stir to combine. Serve the watermelon agua fresca over ice and enjoy!

What is agua fresca?

Agua frescas originated in Central America, but of course I discovered them at the juice bar of the exotic Whole Foods (am I pronouncing that right?). Like many things found at Whole Foods, you can make these cheaper, tastier, and cheaper at home.

But really, agua frescas are a drink made with fresh fruit, water, and a sweetener all blended together to make a refreshing drink.

What type of watermelon to choose

I recommend getting a seedless watermelon, but if you can’t find one, be sure to remove all of the black seeds. And once you do that, you'll wish you had taken our advice and gotten a seedless one.

You'll also want to make sure you get a ripe watermelon!

How to know if your watermelon is ripe

To know if your watermelon is ripe, there are two ways. First, a ripe melon sounds hollow when tapped on. Second, look at the spot where the watermelon has been resting on the ground. If it's yellowish, it should be ripe. If it's white, then it's not ripe yet.

What to serve with the agua fresca

Watermelon lime agua fresca is delicious served with other delicious summery treats!

I love it with pan con tomate, whipped lemon ricotta dip, this tomato and ricotta tart, zucchini galette, or spicy calabrian shrimp.

Recipe tips

• Get a seedless watermelon. Seriously. You'll thank us later.
• Make sure your watermelon is ripe!

Love this watermelon agua fresca recipe? Check out these other drinks!

• Watermelon Martini
• How to make Homemade Limoncello
• Gin and vodka Martini
• Hemingway Grapefruit Cocktail