How to Make Agua Fresca

Agua Fresca means, simply, fresh water in Spanish, but of course, it’s more than that. It is, however, everything you might want water to be; light, refreshing, and non-alcoholic, a cool and welcome thirst-quencher in the heat of summer. In a climate where staying hydrated is of great importance, these agua frescas go a long way towards encouraging water consumption, with the added bonus of electrolytes from the fruit. To say nothing of the flavor—a touch of sweetness, a hint of lime for acid, and of course, the essence of the fruit itself, infused or blended into the water. It’s the simplest of recipes to prepare and can be made with almost any summer-ripe fruit.

Imagine a cup of this, beaded with dew, handed across a counter at a bodega or street vendor in Central America, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Just a sip may transport you there…

Directions

Prepare the melon. Remove the peel and cut slices into 1” cubes.

Combine the melon, 1 1/2 cups of water, lime, and sugar in the blender, and blend until smooth.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, if desired, and add the remaining water.

Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

The leftover rinds of watermelon can be placed in cool water and used to make their own refreshing drink, which tastes exactly of cucumber water. After all, melons and cucumbers are closely related.

Cheers!

Over to You

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