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    Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe (Agua de Sandia)

    Published June 25, 2023. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This deliciously refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe comes together in minutes and uses only 4 ingredients for an amazing summer beverage. You will be blown away at how simple this is to make.

    There’s just something about sipping on a delicious beverage that’s therapeutic, no matter the season. If you feel the same, then check out my Mexican Champurrado or Fall Sangria.

    watermelon agua fresca in a glass with a sugar rim

    Agua Fresca

    Agua Fresca in Spanish translates to “Fresh Water.” It is a popular beverage served throughout Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is very much like Kool-Aid with a base of sugar and water that is then flavored with other ingredients such as fresh fruit like cantaloupe, melons, papaya, or berries. However, they are not limited to only those ingredients because you can also use things like cucumber or hibiscus.

    The beautiful thing about an agua fresca is that it can be used using leftover pieces of fruit and can be customized to your liking. For example, you can make it as sweet as you’d like with any fruit that you prefer. Feel free to have some fun with this.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    watermelon agua fresca ingredients
    • Watermelon – You will need some chunks of fresh watermelon. It does not matter the size of the watermelon pieces, as they will be pureed.
    • Water – Any tap or bottled water will work fine.
    • Lime – I like to use a hint of lime for some citrus flavors. You can also use lemon.
    • Sugar – Regular granulated sugar works perfectly. However, you can use honey or agave.

    How to Make a Watermelon Agua Fresca

    Add the watermelon, water, lime juice, and sugar to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. There will still be some very small pureed chunks.

    blending watermelon with sugar and water

    Next, strain the watermelon agua fresca through a strainer. You can use a chinois.

    straining an agua fresca

    Dip a glass in lime juice and then sugar to make a sugared rim. You can also use salt.

    making a sugared rim

    Chill the drink and then serve it in the sugared glass with a lime wedge and mint. 

    auga fresca with lime and mint

    Make-Ahead and Storage

    Make-Ahead: You can make this agua fresca up to two days ahead of time.

    How to Store: Cover and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze this for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day or until thawed. You can also eat it like sorbet while frozen.

    Chef Billy Parisi

    Chef Notes + Tips

    • It is completely fine if the watermelon has some seeds in it, as it will eventually be strained.
    • Feel free to adjust the levels of lime and sugar to your liking.

    More Summer Recipes

    Let's Cook - Chef Billy Parisi

    Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe (Agua de Sandía)

    5 from 7 votes
    This refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe comes together in minutes and uses only 4 ingredients for an amazing summer beverage.
    Servings: 4
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 4 cups of fresh watermelon chunks in juice
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • Lime wedges and mint leaves for garnish

    Instructions

    • Add the watermelon, water, lime juice, and sugar to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. There will still be some very small pureed chunks.
    • Next, strain the watermelon agua fresca through a strainer. You can use a chinois. thoroughly chill the agua fresca in the refrigerator before serving it.
    • Dip a glass in lime juice and then sugar to make a sugared rim. You can also use salt.
    • Chill the drink and then serve it in the sugared glass with a lime wedge and mint.

    Notes

    Make-Ahead: You can make this agua fresca up to two days ahead of time.
    How to Store: Cover and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze this for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for 1 day or until thawed. You can also eat it like sorbet while frozen.
    It is completely fine if the watermelon has some seeds in it, as it will eventually be strained.
    Feel free to adjust the levels of lime and sugar to your liking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 179mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 869IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.4mg
    Course: beverage
    Cuisine: Hispanic, latin, Mexican

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