Drinks
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Fresh watermelon blended with cold water, lime, and a restrained amount of sugar for a clean, rosy summer cooler.
Inspired by Mexican watermelon agua fresca
Prep
15 min
Cook
0 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 4 ingredients
- • 8 cups seedless watermelon cubes, well chilled
- • 2 cups cold filtered water
- • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
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- 8 cups seedless watermelon cubes, well chilledMissing
- 2 cups cold filtered waterMissing
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juiceMissing
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea saltMissing
Optional ingredients are not counted as required.
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Method
Recipe notes
Watermelon varies dramatically in sweetness and water content, so taste before sweetening and adjust only after the drink is cold. Straining is optional, but it creates a cleaner, more refreshing texture and removes stray seed fragments.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate in a covered pitcher for up to 2 days and stir before serving. Discard if it becomes fizzy, yeasty, or develops an off odor.
Make-ahead tips
Cube and chill watermelon up to 1 day ahead. Blend the drink up to 6 hours before serving for the freshest flavor and color.
What to serve with it
- - Spicy tacos
- - Grilled corn
- - Chile-lime fruit
Equipment needed
- - Blender
- - Fine-mesh sieve
- - Large pitcher and six glasses
Difficulty explained
Blending is simple; tasting the actual fruit before adjusting sweetness and dilution is the key step.
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Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Lemon juice
Use lemon juice in the same amount when lime is unavailable.
Cane sugar
Use the same amount of fine cane sugar.
Coconut sugar
Use the same amount of coconut sugar when its caramel flavor and darker color suit the recipe.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Sweetening before tasting the fruit can make a ripe-watermelon batch cloying.
- Adding serving ice to the pitcher far ahead dilutes the drink; keep ice in individual glasses.
- Unchilled watermelon produces a flat-tasting drink that needs excessive ice and becomes watery.
Nutrition Context
- Watermelon supplies natural sugar, vitamin C, and fluid; optional granulated sugar increases added sugar.
- The drink contains little protein or fat and is intended as a refreshing beverage rather than a meal replacement.
FAQ
Do I need to strain it?
No, but straining creates a lighter texture and catches seed fragments. Leave it unstrained for more pulp.
How much sugar should I add?
Taste the chilled fruit first. A ripe watermelon may need none; add only 1 tablespoon at a time.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Blend up to 6 hours ahead for best flavor, or refrigerate covered for up to 2 days.
Why did it separate?
Natural fruit solids settle. Stir the pitcher before pouring; separation does not mean it has spoiled.
Can I use frozen watermelon?
Yes, but thaw it partially and reduce serving ice so the drink remains pourable rather than slushy.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Spicy tacos, grilled corn, or chile-lime fruit complements the cool sweet watermelon.