Delicious Abuela’s Agua Fresca (Traditional Watermelon) Recipe
A refreshing and traditional Mexican watermelon drink made with fresh watermelon, lime juice, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Perfect for hot summer days and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups watermelon, cubed and seedless
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of salt (around 1/8 teaspoon)
- Optional: A handful of fresh mint leaves for muddling or garnish
- Optional: A dash of chili powder for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon by cutting it into cubes (about 6 cups). Remove seeds if not using seedless melon.
- Place the cubed watermelon into a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth.
- Optional: Pour the blended watermelon through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or pitcher to remove pulp.
- Add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 cups of cold water, 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt to the watermelon juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar, lime juice, or water as needed.
- Refrigerate the agua fresca for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve chilled over ice with a lime wedge or fresh mint sprig if desired.
Notes
Use the sweetest watermelon possible for best flavor. Straining is optional depending on your texture preference. Adjust sugar to taste or omit if watermelon is very ripe. Serve chilled and consume within 24 hours for best freshness. Adding a pinch of salt enhances the natural sweetness. Optional add-ins include fresh mint or chili powder for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 50
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: agua fresca, watermelon drink, traditional Mexican drink, refreshing summer beverage, lime juice, easy recipe