There's nothing quite like a tall glass of ice-cold watermelon water on a scorching summer day. And when it comes to refreshing fresh fruits, watermelon is king. Packed with juicy watermelon, tangy lime juice, and a bit of sugar, this easy-to-make beverage is a perfect taste of summer!
We just had our first heat wave of the year, honey. I mean it was over 90 degrees in the middle of April!
It made me realize that summer is right around the corner, and this watermelon agua fresca (literally fresh watermelon water!) was in desperate need of an update...along with a ton of other summer recipes on the blog.
Watermelon agua fresca, aka agua de sandia, is one of my absolute favorite drinks to make in the summertime. It's light, hydrating, and bursting with sweet watermelon flavor.
And the best part? It's so easy to make. All you need is some fresh watermelon, water, a touch of sugar, and add some lime juice for a bright citrusy kick.
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What is Watermelon Agua Fresca?
So what even is watermelon water? It's a type of agua fresca, which are non-alcoholic drinks made from sugar, water, and fresh fruits fruit.
They originated in Mexico but aguas frescas extremely popular all over Central and South America.
Watermelon has a naturally high water content, which makes them perfect for aguas frescas, as they need little to no straining and give them tasty drink an intense watermelon flavor!
Equipment
- High-powered blender - Let me tell you from experience, nothing is more terrifying than a blender that can't handle whatever you're blending.
- Mesh sieve - For straining the pulp and seeds out from the fresh juice for your agua fresca.
- Pitcher or drink dispenser - Choose one that's big enough for your watermelon water. Remember the recipe can be scaled up or down as needed!
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this ultra-refreshing watermelon water recipe:
- Fresh Watermelon - Using seedless melons saves you the hassle of having to remove the seeds from the watermelon, which can be a tedious and time-consuming task. Additionally, seedless watermelon tends to be sweeter and juicier than watermelon with seeds. This is because the energy that the watermelon plant would use to create seeds is instead directed towards producing more fruit, resulting in a sweeter and juicier watermelon.
- Cold Water - If possible, opt for filtered water for the best taste. I suggest refrigerating it beforehand so you can dive right into your watermelon-infused water immediately after blending.
- Lime juice or lemon juice - this gives us some brightness to cut through the sweetness.
- Granulated Sugar - White sugar has a neutral flavor that allows the true beauty of the watermelon to shine through. Feel free to adjust the levels up or down as needed, to taste. You’re also welcome to use agave nectar or simple syrup, if you prefer.
- Frozen Melon Balls - While this is an optional touch, it’s highly recommended. Not only do the melon balls act as ice cubes without diluting the flavor of your drink, but they also add a fun flourish that can be nibbled on when your glass is empty.
How to Pick a Good Watermelon
It's stayed out in the sun: A perfectly sweet, ripe watermelon will have a large, golden-yellow field spot (that’s where the melon lies on the ground). It'll also look a bit beat up with 'webbing' scratches from the bees, according to my grandma, but it should not be lumpy or bruised.
The look at the grocery store: The vine stump should be browned rather than green, the rind will have a dull appearance instead of shiny, and it will be heavy for its size (Heavy = Extra Juicy!). But make sure it doesn't have a flat bottom, that's an overripe melon.
How to thump a watermelon: Give it a good thump-thump with one hand while holding the melon, and listen for a deep vibration that reaches the other hand. If it's flat sounding, it's overripe. If it's a dull thud, it's done for and completely mushy. If it makes a 'ping' sound, it's an unripe melon.
Round melons: You also want to go for the round watermelons. Those are the female melons, which are sweeter watermelons than the long ones!
How To Make Watermelon Water
Step 1 | put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor. Blend up on medium-high speed until nice and smooth.
Step 2 | Optionally, strain the agua fresca through a mesh sieve if you don't want it pulpy. Serve over ice!
Variations & Substitutions
While we love this watermelon agua fresca recipe just the way it is written, I think of it more like a template than a true “recipe.” Here are just a few variations to get your creative juices flowing:
Add in other fruits. Some of my favorites are strawberries, mangoes, limes and lemons, peaches (so good!), dragon fruit, and other summer goodies. Oh, and don’t overlook fruits that sometime act as veggies, either — watermelon cucumber agua fresca is an utter delight.
Add fresh herbs like mint or basil for a fresh twist.
Swap in lemonade in place of the sugar and water for delicious watermelon lemonade.
Make it extra pink and extra tart by using chilled hibiscus tea in place of water. Agua de jamaica y sandia!
Make it diabetic-friendly by swapping in the sugar-free sweetener of your choice.
Use your SodaStream to make your own Spindrift-style watermelon sparkling water at home.
Mix up a batch of watermelon cocktails! Add in your favorite tequila, white rum, or vodka to the pitcher of agua fresca, to taste. I can't tell you how much tequila you can handle, but we like about 2-3 ounces of spirits per 6 ounces of watermelon agua fresca. One of my favorite watermelon drinks to make: Muddle mint, lime, and sugar in your glass and add 2-3 ounces of rum for a Watermelon Mojito. YUM!
Pro-Tips
Don’t overfill the blender. Trust me, that’s not a mess you want to clean up.
Use chilled ingredients. Starting with cool water and refrigerated watermelon means you can drink your agua fresca straight from the blender. Exercising patience when something so delicious is on the line is not the easiest task!
Freeze leftovers into popsicle molds for a healthy, sweet treat on a hot summer’s day.
Serving Suggestions
Watermelon agua fresca is like summertime in a glass! This refreshing drink is made with juicy, ripe watermelon blended with cool water and sweetened to perfection. It's the perfect balance of sweet and bright, and the vibrant pink color is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Serve it up at your next backyard BBQ, picnic in the park, or pool party. It's a great way to quench your thirst on a hot summer day and impress your guests with a delicious and unique beverage.
It's also a great mocktail option! You’re always welcome to offer up your favorite spirits on the side for folks to mix up their own cocktails.
Oh, and you know that saying “if it grows together, it goes together?” That totally applies here! Serve this deliciously refreshing watermelon juice alongside all your summer favorites, from grilled meats and veggies to potato and pasta salad. It’s also a natural choice for any Mexican or Tex-Mex-inspired meals like fajitas, tacos, guacamole, or queso.
So whether you're lounging poolside or hosting a summer soirée, this watermelon drink recipe is the perfect way to keep you cool, refreshed, and hydrated. So grab a glass, fill it up with this delicious drink, and take a sip of summer!
Make-Ahead & Storage
Watermelon agua fresca should be stored in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days if kept refrigerated.
Store the agua fresca in an airtight container or pitcher with a lid to prevent it from absorbing any odors or flavors from other foods in the fridge.
Before serving, give the container or pitcher a good stir to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed.
If you want to store watermelon agua fresca for longer than 3-4 days, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before serving. It also makes for delicious ice cubes and popsicles!
Note: Keep in mind that the texture and taste of the agua fresca may change slightly after it's been frozen and thawed. It's best to consume it within a few weeks of freezing.
FAQs
Watermelon is over 90% water, making it an excellent way to stay hydrated. Drinking watermelon juice can help you maintain proper hydration levels, especially during hot weather or after exercise.
Watermelon is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. In fact, drinking watermelon juice before exercise may help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time. Who needs Gatorade when you have this delicious homemade Mexican watermelon drink?
Watermelon water contains some electrolytes, but the exact amount may vary depending on how it's made.
Potassium is especially abundant in watermelon, with a medium-sized watermelon containing around 640 milligrams of potassium. This makes watermelon a good natural source of this essential nutrient. However, when watermelon is turned into watermelon water, the concentration of electrolytes may be diluted depending on the amount of water used in the recipe.
To boost the electrolyte content of watermelon water, some people may add other ingredients such as coconut water or Himalayan salt, which are both good sources of additional electrolytes.
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📖 Recipe
Watermelon Water (Agua Fresca)
There's nothing quite like a tall glass of ice-cold watermelon water on a scorching summer day. And when it comes to refreshing fresh fruits, watermelon is king. Packed with juicy watermelon, tangy lime juice, and a bit of sugar, this easy-to-make beverage is a perfect taste of summer!
Ingredients
- 8 cups seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
- 4 cups cold water
- Juice of 2 limes
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, or to taste (start with 2 tablespoon if you don't like sweet drinks)
- Ice
- Frozen melon balls, for garnish, optional
- Edible flowers, lime slices, mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the chunks of watermelon and cold water in a large, powerful blender. Blend on high until the watermelon is completely pureed.
- Add in sugar, pulse on high. Taste, and add more sugar if necessary.
- Serve chilled over ice. Garnish with mint, lime slices, and edible flowers.
Notes
Make-Ahead & Storage
Watermelon agua fresca should be stored in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days if kept refrigerated.
Store the agua fresca in an airtight container or pitcher with a lid to prevent it from absorbing any odors or flavors from other foods in the fridge.
Before serving, give the container or pitcher a good stir to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed.
If you want to store watermelon agua fresca for longer than 3-4 days, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before serving. It also makes for delicious ice cubes and popsicles!
Note: Keep in mind that the texture and taste of the agua fresca may change slightly after it's been frozen and thawed. It's best to consume it within a few weeks of freezing.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 82Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g
All nutrition facts are estimations. Please see a physician for any health-related inquiries.
Eden Westbrook is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Sweet Tea and Thyme. A classically trained chef, Eden has inspired home cooks into the kitchen with cultural comfort foods, easy family-friendly eats and sweets, and glorious spreads for date night and entertaining since 2015.
Jazz says
Couldn't resist your suggestion to add dragon fruit to this watermelon agua fresca and it was SO good! Thank you for sharing.
Capri says
This is my new favorite summer drink! It’s so refreshing! I use a tbsp of honey instead of sugar and it’s so delish!
Katrina Adams says
This Watermelon Agua-Fresca is so refreshing!! I love it!!
Chef Mireille says
Although I've made agua fresca before, never before did I do it with watermelon. Thanks for the idea. The watermelon version was so refreshing on this HOT AS HELL day we are having today. I actually put it in the freezer for a bit to make it kind of a slushie since the day I was so hot and it was fab!
Marta says
I was SO annoyed after leaving a local taqueria and drinking their sandia agua fresca that I made it my mission to find one that actually tastes the way watermelon juice should. Your recipe put theirs to shame, but restored my hope in aguas frescas. I'll skip theirs in the future and bring a bottle of yours, instead.
Jamie says
This is so delicious and hits the spot when I'm craving something sweet and cooling! I've been missing the juices at my farmer's market so I love being able to make this at home!
Tamara says
This drink was a huge hit at our family brunch! Everyone was asking for the recipe!
Kaluhi says
Thank you for this!!! Such a delightful recipe and your pictures are lovely!
Jessica Kirk says
Amazing recipe for a hot southern day. Love that its not super sweet! Yum Yum!
Nij says
So good and refreshing. We took your suggestion and made watermelon lemonade.
Chenée says
It's been SO hot here, so making this yesterday was the best thing I could have done. It's so refreshing and easy. New favorite summer drink!
Brittany Fiero says
This recipe was so refreshing and enjoyable for my whole family. It's so flavorful and easy to make. Next time, I'll take your tip and add a little rum for us grown ups!
Shani says
I made this today to combat the summer heat. So refreshing and delish!
Aly M. says
This was incredibly refreshing! We actually went for 2 tablespoons of sugar and it was sweet enough for us! We had a bunch of ripe watermelons and it was time to use them up. Perfect for summer - especially with how hot it has been out here in California. Thank you so much for this recipe!!!! We loved it!
renia Butler says
Loved making this Watermelon Auga Fresca. It's the perfect sip for summer!