Watermelon Agua Fresca (Agua De Sandia)
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This fresh Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe (agua de sandia) is so refreshing! It’s the perfect drink to cool off with on a hot summer day or paired with all your Mexican & Tex-Mex favorites.
Are you staying cool in all this summer heat!? We’ve been swimming as much as possible, and enjoying all our favorite summer drinks, and one of our go-to favorites is a great agua fresca recipe.
Agua fresca means “fresh water” and refers to fruit-flavored water drinks. Aguas Frescas can be made with basically any fresh fruit–pineapple, cucumber, cantaloupe, orange, strawberry, mango, etc. They’re more like fruit-flavored waters than juice or lemonade. They’re fresh, cool, and so delicious on a sunny day or served up for taco night or a summer barbecue!
Today I’m sharing my personal favorite agua fresca: watermelon! Watermelon agua fresca (agua de sandia) is light, ultra hydrating thanks to the natural electrolytes in watermelon, and tastes like summer in a cup!
Plus, you only need 3 simple INGREDIENTS to make this delicious drink! Grab a cup and a blender, and let’s make watermelon agua fresca…
Gather Your Ingredients
So what is watermelon agua fresca made of? Just 3 simple ingredients + any extras you like!
- Fresh Watermelon. The better your watermelon, the better your watermelon agua fresca will be! Don’t miss our tips below for choosing a great watermelon every time. Agua de sandia (watermelon water) is a great way to use up leftover watermelon!
- Cold Water. Next up is some nice, cool water. I use the coldest water possible because friends don’t let friends have warm summer drinks on hot days.
- Sweetener. A little sugar or agave nectar works, though you’re welcome to experiment with alternative sweeteners, like monkfruit or stevia. I find that honey and maple syrup are NOT great for aguas frescas, as they impact the flavor too much for my taste.
- Extras. I like to add a squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice, a tiny (like TINY) pinch of salt to my watermelon aguas frescas. The fresh lime juice adds a little brightness with its acidity, and the salt adds electrolytes and brings out the natural flavor of the watermelon (weird, but true!).
- Ice. I love to serve my watermelon water with lots of ice cubes so they’re as cold and refreshing as possible. Yum!
How To Choose A Great Watermelon
So, how do you choose a great watermelon for this refreshing drink? Here’s what I look for:
- COLOR – I look for a yellow sun spot or field spot. Watermelons without an obvious sun spot or a white sun spot are usually less ripe than those with a yellow spot.
- SOUND – Knock on the watermelon. Typically, the more hollow and deep the sound, the riper and juicier the watermelon!
- WEIGHT – A ripe watermelon will feel heavy for its size. Try a few similarly-sized melons and choose the one that feels heaviest.
- SEASON – In the U.S., watermelon season is during the summer. You’ve got the best chance of choosing a ripe, juicy watermelon when its in peak season!
How To Make Watermelon Agua Fresca, Step By step
As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below.
- Combine. Add half of the watermelon cubes, 1 cup of water, the sugar, the lime juice, and the salt to a blender.
- Puree on high speed until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
- Strain. Pour the watermelon mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the pulp and transfer the strained watermelon juice to a large pitcher.
- Repeat. Blend the remaining watermelon with the remaining 1 cup water, strain it, and add to the pitcher along with the other strained juice. Stir well to combine.
- Serve & Store! Add ice & serve with your favorite garnishes! Leftover watermelon agua fresca will stay fresh in the fridge 4-5 days.
Pretty ways To Garnish Aguas Frescas
This refreshing drink will taste AMAZING straight from the pitcher, but if you’re looking to take things up a notch, here are a few fun garnishes to try next time you make it:
- Add Some Watermelon Garnish! Mimic the flavor of your watermelon water with some extra watermelon! Add a little wedge to the side of your glass, try a few watermelon balls (made with a melon baller!), or cut out some shapes with a mini vegetable or cookie cutter to add some fun flair to your glass.
- Try Some Fresh Lime Or Mint Leaves. Add another fresh pop of color with some lime slices, lime wedges or some fresh mint sprigs. I love the way mint and watermelon go together, and the lime really adds some brightness. If you’re not a mint fan, basil or other fresh herbs can also be lovely!
- Add A Lime Sugar Rim. Run a lime wedge around the edge of your glass and dip in a little bit of sugar (or lime sugar!) before filling with your watermelon agua fresca. This adds a pretty, festive effect that makes it instantly feel like a party!
- Use Some Tajin! Tajin–a fan favorite Mexican seasoning made from mild chilis, salt, and lime–is commonly paired with sweet fruits like mangos and melons. It’s tangy, a little salty, and has a subtle, mild, smoky kick, so it’s a great addition here. Adding a tiny pinch to your glass as garnish or a bit around the rim can add a fun flair to your watermelon water! Once you try it, you’ll add it to all kinds of things (taco slaw, chicken, veggies, etc.!).
- Maybe Some Edible Flowers! Hibiscus flowers look stunning, if you really want to get fancy! (A great option for a summer dinner party!)
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Watermelon Aguas Frescas
Trust Your Tastebuds! The amount of sweetener you add will depend on the ripeness/sweetness of your watermelon and your own tastebuds. Start small, and add more sweetener, as needed.
How Long Will Watermelon Agua Fresca Stay Fresh? Stored in the refrigerator, watermelon agua fresca will stay fresh about 4-5 days. You can also freeze it into popsicle molds or freeze it in an ice cube tray to prolong the shelf life or use leftovers!
Is Agua Fresca Alcoholic? No. Most aguas frescas aren’t alcoholic, though some folks like to add a splash of alcohol (like tequila, vodka, or rum) to turn it into a cocktail.
Do You Use Seeded Watermelon Or Seedless Watermelon For Agua Fresca? Either will work, especially since you’re straining the mixture, which will remove any pulp or seeds.
Is Watermelon Agua Fresca Healthy? It’s got plenty of vitamin C and some electrolytes, plus it’s lower in sugar than most sodas and has less sugar per serving than many juices. That said, it is sweetened, so it depends on your idea of healthy!
Recipe Card
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Watermelon Agua Fresca
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 64 oz. (8 cups) 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This fresh watermelon water (agua de sandia) is so refreshing on a hot day or paired with all your Mexican & Tex-Mex favorites.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. diced watermelon (about 8–9 cups)
- 2 cups water
- 2–4 Tablespoons Sugar or Agave
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
- Tiny pinch (Less than 1/8 teaspoon) salt
- 1–2 cups ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime slices or lime wedges
- Fresh watermelon (wedges, slices, balls, or cut-outs)
- Tajin seasoning
Instructions
- Add half of the watermelon, 1 cup of the water, the sugar, the lime juice, and the salt to a blender.
- Puree until the mixture is as smooth as possible.
- Pour the watermelon juice mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve to remove the pulp and transfer the strained juice to a pitcher.
- Blend the rest of the watermelon with the remaining 1 cup water, strain it, and add to the pitcher along with the other strained juice. Stir well to combine.
- Add ice & serve with your favorite garnishes! Watermelon agua fresca will stay fresh 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Mexican
