Classic Summer Drink

With the temperatures near 100 degrees, it's important to stay cool and hydrated. Aguas Frescas, fresh waters, are refreshing, light drinks that are a warm weather classic in Mexico. You can find these drinks everywhere from private homes to street vendors to upscale restaurants. The colors of the water look so pretty in clear glass containers and are elegant for parties and entertaining.


The flavor possibilities are endless. Usually, I'll make a pitcher of whatever fruit I have in abundance. Some of my favorite flavors for aguas frescas are watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberry. The key to a good drink is to have the light fruit flavor without having a drink that is the consistency of a smoothie.

There is not an exact recipe for making aguas frescas, it's best to start blending the fruit, water, and sweetener and mix to taste. You can add sugar, agave nectar or honey to sweeten the drink. Here's a simple recipe for watermelon water, but again, you'll probably want to tweak the recipe to your taste.

Ingredients
6 seedless watermelon
2 cups cold water
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar(more or less to taste)

To Prepare
1. Cut the watermelon into cubes or scoop with a melon baller.
2. Blend half the watermelon pieces with 1 cup of water until smooth in a blender.
3. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher to remove some of the pulp. You can skip this step, but I prefer less pulp in my water.
4. Repeat the process with the remaining watermelon and water.
5. Add in the lime juice and sugar to taste.
6. Serve with ice and garnish with a slice of lime or mint.

When I was living in Mexico, we would prepare some water with leftover fruit that we had on hand. Always such a great treat.

What kind of fruit would you use to make agua frecsa?

xoxo