Watermelon Agua Fresca

5 from 1 vote

Watermelon Agua Fresca is the most refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day. Make it in your blender with fresh melon and you’ll have a crushable, flavorful beverage ready in minutes.

Watermelon Agua Fresca surrounded by lime and watermelon pieces.

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Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe

Looking for a flavorful way to stay cool this summer? Agua fresca is the drink you need to try. This flavored water is easy to make and so refreshing.

Agua fresca translates literally to “fresh water,” and boy, is it fresh. You can make it with just about any fruit, from pineapple to strawberry.

But watermelon might be the best of all, lending its sweet, light, refreshing flavors and bright red color. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover watermelon. 

Aguas frescas are a delicious choice to serve at a party for a non-alcoholic option, or you can make it for yourself to enjoy by the pool, in the backyard, on the beach.

More watermelon recipes: Watermelon MojitoWatermelon MargaritasWatermelon Mimosa

A bright pink watermelon drink is garnished with a watermelon slice with a lime twist next to the glass.

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love how easy this recipe is to put together. It’s going to be one of your new favorite things! 

  • Watermelon agua fresca is so refreshing and flavorful — perfect for a hot day.
  • You can make it in a blender or food processor
  • It is ready to serve within minutes.
  • It’s a great way to use up extra watermelon.

Serve this refreshing beverage at a dinner party, a cookout or just a casual day at home.

A refreshing watermelon drink sits in a glass surrounded by lime slices, watermelon slices and watermelon chunks.

What is Agua Fresca?

Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic drinks made with fruits, grains, flowers and seeds blended with sugar and water. It tastes like a cross between fruit juice and flavored water.

It is a popular beverage in Mexico and some Latin American countries, where you can find it sold in convenience stores, at juice bars, in restaurants and by street vendors. The Spanish term for watermelon agua fresca is agua de sandia.

You can make aguas frescas with just about any fruit, from pineapple and mango to cucumber and strawberry. Horchata is technically a type of agua fresca, as it is made with rice. 

Tools & glassware

For this recipe, you will need a few things. A cutting board and a sharp knife to cut your watermelon will be crucial. (I love this watermelon knife!)

A citrus squeezer will be handy for juicing the limes.

Finally, you’ll need to get out your blender and a fine-mesh strainer.

Watermelon agua fresca ingredients.

Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make this delicious watermelon agua fresca:

  • Freshly chopped watermelon: You can also use other types of melon, like honeydew or cantaloupe. If you’re short on time, you can buy pre-cut watermelon from your local grocery store produce department to save on prep work.
  • Water: Use the freshest you have available, whether that’s tap water, filtered water or bottled water.
  • Honey: You can also use agave nectar, a bit of sugar or a fruity simple syrup.
  • Fresh lime juice: Fresh is always best but the concentrate works in a pinch . It can be a tad tart though!
  • Ice cubes or crushed ice: Crushed ice makes these feel more like a slushy.

A garnish is always optional, but it’s a great way to make this fruit water feel a little fancier. Use watermelon slices, lime slices, fresh herbs — or all three!

Variations and substitutions

When making watermelon agua fresca, using in-season, fresh and ripe watermelon can provide all the natural sweetness you need, so you can eliminate the honey if you prefer. You can use a seedless watermelon, but it doesn’t matter if there are seeds because they will be strained out. 

If you do like it sweet, any of the following work great in this recipe: granulated sugar, agave nectar, maple syrup or sugar-free syrup. Honey is my favorite. 

You can make aguas frescas with other types of melon, like cantaloupe or honeydew. But you can also use any fruit, such as pineapple, strawberries or mango — or use a mixture! Cucumber is also a delightful flavor.

Fresh herbs like a mint sprig or basil leaves can add an extra layer of flavor to your Agua Fresca. Either add it to the blender with the other ingredients or add them as a garnish. Fresh herbs are so pretty in a drink.

How to make Watermelon Agua Fresca

Here’s how to make your own watermelon agua fresca at home:

Watermelon chunks and other ingredients for Watermelon Agua Fresca sit in a blender.

In a blender, combine the watermelon, cold water, honey and lime juice.

Overhead view of a blender holding a foamy watermelon mix.

Blend them up until very smooth.

Watermelon is strained using a black and stainless steel mesh strainer into a pitcher surrounded by ingredients for a refreshing summer drink.

Strain the fruit mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher or bowl. This will remove any seeds, solids and sediments from the watermelon juice.

A pitcher of a watermelon based drink sits near a honey stick, lime slices, mint sprigs and simple syrup on a white surface.

Chill if desired, or serve immediately over ice.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

  • Since watermelon has a higher water content, you can reduce the amount of water to 1 ½ cups. However, it still works well with the original 2 cups of water ratio.
  • For a fun twist, freeze watermelon cubes ahead of time and add them to your Watermelon Agua Fresca instead of ice cubes.
  • Rim the glass. Use a lime wedge to moisten the edge of the glass, then dip the rim of your glass in sugar. This makes for a gorgeous presentation and extra sweet sips.
Watermelon Agua Fresca is garnished with a slice of watermelon.

What to serve with Watermelon Agua Fresca

If you have this fresh watermelon water to drink, why not enjoy it with some fresh melon?

Try it with this watermelon blue cheese salad or a summer fruit salad with melon.

It would be so good with salty tortilla chips and this fresh watermelon salsa.

For dessert, a round of watermelon popsicles would be perfection.

A glass holding a pink drink sits beside watermelon slices, lime twists and skewers.

FAQ

What is Watermelon Agua Fresca?

Watermelon Agua Fresca is a refreshing Mexican beverage made with fresh watermelon, lime juice, and water. It’s a light and refreshing drink that’s sure to satisfy.

Can I use other fruits besides watermelon?

Yes, Agua Fresca can be made with almost any fruit.  Some popular fruits include pineapple, cantaloupe, mango, and strawberry.

Can I add alcohol to Watermelon Agua Fresca?

While it’s meant to be a non-alcoholic drink, you can certainly turn it into a cocktail if you’d like. Vodka, tequila, or rum are popular choices that can be added to the drink for an adult twist.

Can I make Watermelon Agua Fresca ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Watermelon Agua Fresca ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fruit juice and water does have a tendency to separate, so stir well before serving.

Is Watermelon Agua Fresca healthy?

Watermelon Agua Fresca is a healthy alternative to sugary sodas or juices, as it’s made with fresh fruit and honey.  You can even leave the sweetener out for a healthier version. If your fruit is ripe, you most likely won’t need it.

More non-alcoholic drinks

— Did you make this recipe? —

Please leave a ★★★★★ review or comment below.

A refreshing watermelon drink sits in a glass surrounded by lime slices, watermelon slices and watermelon chunks.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Yield: 16 ounces
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Watermelon Agua Fresca is a refreshing and delicious drink that originates from Mexico and Latin America. This recipe combines juicy watermelon, lime juice and a touch of sweetness for a perfect summer drink. It's a great way to enjoy watermelon at its peak.
5 from 1 vote
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ingredients

  • 2 cups of chopped watermelon
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice from ½ lime
  • ice cubes or crushed ice for serving
  • watermelon slices for garnish (optional)
  • lime slices for garnish (optional)

instructions

  • In a blender, combine the watermelon, water, honey and lime juice.
  • Blend until very smooth.
  • Strain the fruit mixture into a pitcher or bowl through a fine-mesh strainer. This will remove the seeds, solids and sediments from the fruit.
  • Chill for 1-2 hours, if desired, or serve immediately over ice.

notes

If you're short on time, you can buy pre-cut watermelon from your local grocery store produce department to save on prep work.
When making Watermelon Agua Fresca, using in-season, fresh and ripe watermelon can provide all the natural sweetness you need, so you can eliminate the honey if you prefer.
If you do like it sweet, any of the following work great in this recipe: granulated sugar, agave nectar, maple syrup, or any stevia-based sweetener. Honey is my favorite.
You might need the whole lime depending on the size and juiciness of it.
Since watermelon has high water content, you can reduce the amount of water to 1½ cups. However, it still works well with the original 2 cups of water ratio.

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nutrition information

Yield: 16 ounces

amount per serving:

Serving: 1oz Calories: 112kcal Carbohydrates: 30g Protein: 1g Sodium: 12mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 27g
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!
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