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Watermelon agua fresca is a super refreshing and drink made with just 3 ingredients that is absolutely perfect for those hot summer days.
Agua frescas are something I grew up around. In South Florida fresh juice is plentiful year round, even if watermelon isn't, and agua fresca is a popular drink at almost every restaurant, hole in the wall, and household. In fact, I think agua frescas are pretty popular in almost every country in the Caribbean and Central and South America because there's all kinds .
At the Yellow Green Farmers' Market here, there is a vendor who's whole business is smoothies and fresh juices. And their agua frescas are so good that I can't stand it. We get two huge cups when we go in, and a gallon of our favorite (which varies by season because they literally have nothing but fresh local in-season fruit) when we leave the market.
But during this pandemic, all the local farmers' markets are closed and while Publix sells great sweet tea, it doesn't have much for agua frescas. Which is why we are making our very own, from scratch, with only watermelon, a little sugar, and plenty of water. A.K.A. things I'm sure you already have in your kitchen!
What is Watermelon Agua Fresca?
It's pink, pretty, and absolutely delicious but what is it?
Well, agua fresca simply translates to 'fresh waters', it's fresh fruit juice (or strained pureed fruits, like with watermelon agua fresca) mixed with cold water. So basically watermelon agua fresca is blended up watermelon that's strained and mixed with water, so it really just gives you pure, fresh fruit taste which is exactly what I want in the summer. Other ingredients like lime juice or sugar are often added for flavor or sweetness depending on how you like it.
I really like agua fresca because they can be made to taste, from mostly fruit juice to being more like flavored water and all in between. Either end is a great way to beat the summer heat.
How do you make it?
This is literally the easiest thing ever. Chop up the watermelon into chunks, blend it in the blender with sugar and water, strain through a mesh sieve into a pitcher. Serve it over ice or frozen melon balls, which won't dilute your drink.
Honestly, I would say taste it before adding the sugar even. Maybe you don't want it super sweet, but I know we love adding a little sweetness. You can even substitute it with stevia, agave nectar, monk sugar, honey, or whatever sweetener fits your needs.
Recommended Tools
- A high powered blender. Let me tell you from experience, nothing is more terrifying than a blender that can't handle whatever you're blending.
- A mesh sieve, for straining the pulp and seeds out from the fresh juice for your agua fresca.
- A pitcher that's big enough for your agua fresca.
Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe Variations
- Add in other fruits to blend or juice. Some of my favorites are strawberries, mangoes, limes and lemons, peaches (so good!), dragon fruit, and other summer goodies.
- Add to lemonade for delicious watermelon lemonade.
Watermelon Agua Fresca 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!
My favorite cocktail to make: Muddle mint, lime, and sugar in your glass and add 2-3 ounces of rum for a Watermelon Mojito!
Looking for more summer drinks? Check these out:
- Addictive Strawberry Lemonade
- Blueberry Moscow Mule
- Sparkling Ginger Strawberry Lemonade
- Brazilian Limeade
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📖 Recipe
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Watermelon agua fresca is a super refreshing and drink made with just 3 ingredients that is absolutely perfect for those hot summer days.
Ingredients
- 8 cups seedless watermelon cut into chunks
- 4 cups cold water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, or to taste (start with 2 tablespoon if you don't like sweet)
- Frozen melon balls, for garnish, optional
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 or garnish with frozen melon balls
Notes
Watermelon Agua Fresca with Alcohol
Add your favorite white rum, vodka, or tequila to your pitcher of watermelon agua fresca
Choosing a Great Watermelon
A sweet, ripe watermelon will have a large, golden-yellow field spot, the vine stump will be browned, and the rind will have a dull appearance. The rounder watermelons are also sweeter than the longer ones.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 62Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g
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!