How to Make Chef John's Watermelon Agua Fresca - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chef John's Watermelon Agua Fresca is the perfect refreshing drink for a hot summer day. This traditional Mexican beverage is made with just a few simple ingredients, but it packs a big flavor punch. The sweet and juicy watermelon combines with tangy lime juice and a hint of mint to create a drink that is both delicious and hydrating.

Agua fresca, which translates to "fresh water" in Spanish, is a popular beverage in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It's a simple and refresh...

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Ingredients

  • ½ seedless watermelon
  • 2 cups cold water
  • ½ cup white sugar, or to taste
  • ½ cup water
  • ice, as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Additional Time: 50 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Scoop flesh from watermelon half and transfer to a blender with 2 cups cold water. Place a folded towel on the blender lid and blend until liquefied, about 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove fibers. Discard fibers left in the strainer. Skim and discard excess foam from the juice if desired.
  • Place sugar and 1/2 cup water into a saucepan over medium heat; stir until water is hot and sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat and let simple syrup cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Stir simple syrup into watermelon juice to taste.
  • Pour drink into a 2-quart pitcher and refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour agua fresca drink over ice. Serve with straws.
  • Nutrition

    177 cal.

    • Total Fat: 1g
    • Saturated Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 7mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 45g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 40g
    • Protein: 2g
    • Vitamin C: 30mg
    • Calcium: 29mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 421mg