Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca

June 15, 2015

Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca




Every time I buy watermelon I face the same dilemma: spending less money to buy too much watermelon (a huge seeded one), or spending more money to buy less watermelon (a small seedless one, or cut up in chunks).
But I always end up buying too much watermelon - I could never say to  good bargain.
Since I never want it to go to waste, I make lots of Watermelon-Lime Agua fresca.

Watermelon Slice




If you’re not familiar, Agua fresca (Spanish for "fresh water") is a fruit drink popular throughout Mexico.
It’s super simple: just made by blending fruit with water, a bit of sweetener, and a little lime juice.
Agua fresca is a refreshing drink and a terrific thirst quencher on a hot summer day.
The trick to making Agua fresca is to infuse the water with fruit essence without turning it into a slushy or a smoothie.
Make sure to use the ripest fruit you can find.
Simply throw it in a blender, add water, sweeten to taste and serve.
If you're working with a fibrous fruit like watermelon (or if you're the type of person that buys pulp-free orange juice), I suggest to strain after blending.

Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca




Not too much fruit, not too much sugar, this Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca is just a beautiful way to quench your thirst on a summer day.

Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca                                                                                    Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 10

8 cups seedless watermelon cubes
2 tablespoons honey mild tasting honey (or other sweetener of your choice)
⅓ cup fresh lime juice plus 1 sliced lime
1 to 2 cups of water
A few sprigs mint
Ice to taste

Directions

Place watermelon cubes in blender (in batches if they don’t fit in the blender all at once) and pulse until smooth.
Strain through a medium strainer into a large pitcher or bowl.
Stir in honey (or other sweetener of your choice), lime juice, and water.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer.
Before serving add lime slices and mint.
Serve over ice!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 51 calories, no fat, 14 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of protein.

33 comments:

  1. Looks so refreshing, Mike! Perfect for a hot day like today. Beautiful pictures as always!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I live deep in South Fla where 95° is a typical day. So, there are little latin agua Fresca stands all over the city. Water- Lime has always been my favorite (with coconut - lime being the 2nd) but I wanted a way to have agua Fresca anytime. Not just when strolling down town or to the beach. So THANK YOU for the recipes / directions! It turned out just perfect (I did strain it of course) and I’m enjoying a tall glass with a few slices of cucumbers in it as I write! Thank you again.

      Delete
  2. I spend too much money on the cut up watermelon chunks and I really should just buy a whole one and make this! I love agua fresca. Watermelon and pineapple are my two favorite flavors, both are so summery!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's almost silly how pricey are watermelon chunks compared to a whole one - and it's not like cutting a watermelon is that complicated...

      Delete
  3. Haha, I feel the same way about watermelon. Huge, eight-pounder for 29 cents a pound or teeny, single-serve for $9.99? This drink looks like a great way to cool off, I love the addition of mint. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love adding mint to agua fresca, it's so legit!

      Delete
  4. The perfect summer drink, love this

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks so good and refreshing, Mike- I had a watermelon sorbet last night but this would be a much better and cost effective choice ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Watermelon sorbet is amazing, it's one of my faves!

      Delete
  6. Duuuuuude what a weird coinkydink - My daughter and I started our day with something similar yesterday - watermelon, lemon, jaggery and ice! Those big watermelons are definitely worth it - we go through one a week in spring and summer - sometimes more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More than a whole watermelon per week? That's huge! Literally huge... ;)

      Delete
  7. Mike, beautiful pictures of a refreshing and healthy summer drink - thanks for the inspiration and a great reminder to be making this for the family this summer and add a lovely sprig of mint or other herb to the tall, beautiful glasses just before serving!
    Liebe Gruesse,
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome Andrea, lemme know how you like it!

      Delete
  8. Hi Mike, really like this drink, looks so refreshing. With some ingredients it seems like I have them in a box and prepare them over and over the same way, this is a great reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  9. There is one quintessential rule, Mike - never ever could you have too much watermelon. Period. If you ever face again such a dilemma, send the excessive watermelon to me. I can handle it. But better send me this refreshing perfection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you want me to send you the watermelon priority or overnight?

      Delete
  10. Hi Mike, your drink looks so refeshing. I do have a question though. In your instructions you have "Stir in honey (or other sweetener of your choice), lime juice, and water.}Stir in honey (or other sweetener of your choice), lime juice, and water." BUT you don't indicate how much water to put in your drink????? Or am I missing something here???????????
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks absolutely delicious and the perfect summer drink!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wish it was Summer and not Winter here in Australia so I could justify making one of these Mike! They look incredible and so refreshing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love Aqua Frescas , they are so refreshing, the perfect drink for a hot day.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I always go for more watermelon too. Each time I visit the South of Italy I enjoy buying those huge babies at only .30 per kg ( 2 pounds)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait, what? 30cents for 2lbs? I need to to South of Italy asap!

      Delete
  15. Mike! This drink looks incredible...perfect for a hot summer afternoon. I'm always looking for fun ways to use watermelon. I think we have had watermelon in our fridge for like 6 weeks straight now...and I don't see an end in sight. Especially not now that I've discovered this idea. :-) #WolfpackMelonFarmers

    ReplyDelete
  16. Perfect Mike. I love watermelon and lime combo, so fresh. I always have watermelon during summers and it's one of the best ways to enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In my book watermelon = summer. I mean, is there any other fruit that's more summery than watermelon?
      I don't think so...

      Delete
  17. I've never made agua fresca before, but it looks delicious! Last summer I started taking straight blended up watermelon with lemon or lime with me in place of some of my water when I was on a long hike, it really works well for hydration so I'll have to try your method this summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you so, please report back. I'm curious to know! :)

      Delete