Watermelon Agua Fresca is a hydrating, delicious cool and refreshing beverage perfect for replenishing your electrolytes. Sip on it all summer long to stay energized!
True story: I’m in the process of breaking a full-tilt addiction to flavored bottled water.
I drink a pretty large volume of water on the daily because a.) I live in a dry climate, b.) I exercise almost every day, so getting electrolytes is essential to keeping my thirst quenched, and c.) hydratedness is next to Godliness in my book.
At some point down the line, I began buying zero calorie flavored waters from the grocery. My occasional water treat turned into a daily habit. Like, I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t had days where I’ve consumed multiple bottles of flavored water. The obssession is real.
In examining my recycle bin last week, I realized this out-of-control fixation needed to end. First of all, it’s an expensive (and unnecessary) habit, and secondly, it’s bad for the environment.
By happenstance, I figured out a great way of weaning myself off of the store-bought waters: Agua Fresca, but of course! I had picked up a personal-sized watermelon (no joke, that’s what the sign said at the grocery store), hacked it up, then immediately realized I was craving the juice.
After googling recipes for agua fresca, I realized it’s basically just the easiest thing ever.
If you’ve never had agua fresca, I definitely recommend you give it a whirl. Watermelon is naturally full of electrolytes, giving you the essential vitamins and minerals you need to help you hydrate. Plus the naturally sweet, healthful elixir goes down like a breeze.
You can add more or less water to the recipe depending on how sweet you like your beverages, as well as more or less lemon (or lime juice). If, like me, you have a difficult time staying hydrated, you can add a small amount of sea salt for an extra boost of electrolytes.
How to Make Agua Fresca:
In order to make agua fresca, all you need is a small seedless watermelon, a fine mesh strainer, and a pitcher (plus water bottles for storing the beverage). Add the chopped watermelon to a blender, strain the pulp with a cheesecloth, and you’re left with a silky smooth juice that can then be consumed in a variety of ways.
I added water, a splash of lemon juice, and a small amount of pure maple syrup to the watermelon juice and have now shifted my flavored water addiction to a full on agua fresca affair. Agua Fresca cocktails, anyone? Now there’s an idea!
CAUTIONARY NOTE: Consuming too much watermelon (or agua fresca) can irritate your digestive system if you have a sensitive GI. Avoid the temptation to binge-drink this bevvie, and stick to one glass at a time. Over and out.
Get that hydration!
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 6 cups chopped seedless watermelon
- 2 cups to 4 cold water to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar or pure maple syrup
- 1/4 to 1 tsp sea salt optional*
Instructions
- Add the chopped watermelon to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain watermelon juice through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Use your fingers to press the watermelon pulp through the strainer in order to get as much of the liquid out as possible. Discard the watermelon pulp (or perhaps use it in popsicles?).
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pitcher, stir, and serve over ice. Note: You can adjust the amount of added water, lemon juice, and sweetener to taste.
Ju, this is definitely a fun way to enjoy a delicious watermelon. I am a huge fan of flavour my water with fruits. Love this recipe. Pinning for later.
I’ve never tried agua fresca and you have inspired me here to try it. Love watermelon too, so the recipe is just refreshing and perfect.
I could definitely go for a tall glass of this! What a great recipe! 🙂
I stopped purchasing bottled water a few years ago. Instead, I fill up my flashy hot pink reusable bottle with just about anything and everything. This looks so refreshing, and I love that it’s naturally sweetened. Oh, this will be happening soon. Pinned.
Those waters can be so addicting! Pretty sure there’s no flavored water that could beat this watermelon drink. It looks perfectly refreshing. That color is GORGEOUS!!
I think this sounds like the perfect way to cure your flavored water addiction! I mean, it doesn’t get more refreshing than watermelon agua fresca. I love that this version is naturally sweetened too!
I’m more of a seltzer addict than a flavored water addict, but I totally get where you’re coming from. Sometimes a girl just needs something a little more tasty than plain water, am I right? This agua fresca sounds absolutely delightful and so refreshing!
I made watermelon agua fresca Saturday night when we had company. I didn’t bother to strain it, and I didn’t add any sweetener. Watermelon, water and lime juice, and it tasted great served over ice with a sprig of mint.
Aguas frescas come in many, many flavors. Melon (like cantaloupe), tamarind (tart), Jamaica (hibiscus flower – my favorite), and horchata (rice). The hibiscus flowers are available where you can buy Mexican groceries. Aguas frescas are a great way to go if you want flavor. I live in a very dry area, and my favorite drink is… WATER, plain water. Straight out of the tap, usually without ice. I like the calorie count for water, too. 🙂
Love this. also tastes fab with some fresh mint blitzed in! Xx
I think you could by a giant watermelon and freeze it in small batches for use all year long.
Why watermelon, whyy!!! Watermelon’s one of those things I could eat a ton of because it’s so refreshing and light. Everything in moderation though, right?
This looks awesome! Love the watermelon- this is such a fun way to enjoy it!
Ohh I need a personal sized watermelon! I always buy the friends and family and everyone else in your life, sooo it takes me foreverrrr to get through it. Break through that addiction girlfriend!
Wow, that’s really interesting that you can OD on watermelon! Katelyn’s comment is making me wonder if I should take it easy…we have an awesome watermelon here and I have been eating it nonstop.
The agua fresca looks so refreshing! Just what’s needed on these hot days!
Watermelon agua fresca is one of our favorites! People should be aware, though, that it IS possible to overconsume watermelon. My husband ended up at the doctor with some digestive unpleasantness after drinking several glasses a day for a few days – turns out the potassium in watermelon can make you sick if you have too much. So enjoy but don’t go bananas (no, really, don’t – they have a lot of potassium, too… I’ll show myself out…).
Also, sorry for talking about digestive unpleasantness on your blog at 8:30 in the morning.
I’m glad you brought that up, Katelyn! I’ve overdone it on watermelon (and cherries) in the past and remember how painful it was. Thanks for bringing the issue to light…I wouldn’t want anyone to OD on agua fresca and have a bad experience. It’s easy to overdo it on something so tasty as watermelon and agua fresca, so pacing yourself is key.
P.S. You can talk about digestive unpleasantness here any time of day – doesn’t bother me none! 😉