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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Looks so refreshing, Mike! Perfect for a hot day like today. Beautiful pictures as always!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Brandi!
DeleteI 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.
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost silly how pricey are watermelon chunks compared to a whole one - and it's not like cutting a watermelon is that complicated...
DeleteHaha, 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. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love adding mint to agua fresca, it's so legit!
DeleteThe perfect summer drink, love this
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteThis looks so good and refreshing, Mike- I had a watermelon sorbet last night but this would be a much better and cost effective choice ;)
ReplyDeleteWatermelon sorbet is amazing, it's one of my faves!
DeleteDuuuuuude 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!
ReplyDeleteMore than a whole watermelon per week? That's huge! Literally huge... ;)
DeleteMike, 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!
ReplyDeleteLiebe Gruesse,
Andrea
That's awesome Andrea, lemme know how you like it!
DeleteHi 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.
ReplyDeleteThere 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!
ReplyDeleteDo you want me to send you the watermelon priority or overnight?
DeleteHi 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???????????
ReplyDeleteThanks
Thanks for spotting that out, I just fixed it!
DeleteThis looks absolutely delicious and the perfect summer drink!
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan!
DeleteWish it was Summer and not Winter here in Australia so I could justify making one of these Mike! They look incredible and so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteI love Aqua Frescas , they are so refreshing, the perfect drink for a hot day.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, perfect for a hot summer day!
DeleteI 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)
ReplyDeleteWait, what? 30cents for 2lbs? I need to to South of Italy asap!
DeleteMike! 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#WolfpackMelonFarmers? -> Fist Bump
DeletePerfect 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.
ReplyDeleteIn my book watermelon = summer. I mean, is there any other fruit that's more summery than watermelon?
DeleteI don't think so...
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!
ReplyDeleteIf you so, please report back. I'm curious to know! :)
Delete