Watermelon Agua Fresca, also called watermelon water, is a cool, refreshing Mexican-style fruit drink made with fresh watermelon, cold water, lime juice, a little sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Lighter than watermelon juice and thinner than a smoothie, this easy blender drink is cool, fruity, and especially delicious on hot summer days.
Watermelon Agua Fresca is a variation of the refreshing fruit drinks often served in Mexican restaurants. "Agua fresca" translates to "fresh water" and is typically made by blending fruit with water, citrus juice, and a little sweetener.
🔍 Quick Look: Watermelon Agua Fresca
- Ready in: 20 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 58 kcal
- Main Ingredients: Watermelon, cold water, lime juice, sugar, salt
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, tart, refreshing
- Method: Blender / No Cook
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why You'll Love It: Cool, refreshing, and lightly sweet-perfect for hot weather and spicy meals.
- Best For: BBQs, potlucks, summer gatherings.
Jump to:
- 🔍 Quick Look: Watermelon Agua Fresca
- What Is Watermelon Agua Fresca?
- Why You'll Love This Watermelon Water Recipe
- Ingredients for Watermelon Agua Fresca
- Watermelon Agua Fresca Variations
- How to Make Watermelon Agua Fresca
- My Top Tip
- Equipment
- Watermelon Agua Fresca FAQs
- Make-Ahead & Storage
- Refreshing Salads & Beverages You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
What Is Watermelon Agua Fresca?
Watermelon Agua Fresca is a light fruit drink made by blending watermelon with water, lime juice, and a little sweetener.
It is thinner and more refreshing than a smoothie, lighter than pure watermelon juice, and easy to adjust depending on how sweet your watermelon is.
In English, it is sometimes called watermelon water because the fruit is blended with water to make a cool, drinkable summer beverage.
Why You'll Love This Watermelon Water Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with fresh watermelon, water, lime juice, sugar, and salt, this recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients.
- Easy to Make: Whether you start with a whole watermelon or pre-cut melon, this refreshing drink comes together in minutes.
- The Flavor is Adjustable: Add more lime for brightness or a little extra sugar if your watermelon is less sweet.
- Family-Friendly: This Watermelon Water contains no alcohol and is low in added sugar, making it perfect for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients for Watermelon Agua Fresca
Here's everything you'll need to make Watermelon Agua Fresca. Please see the recipe card for the exact quantities.
- Fresh Watermelon - Seedless watermelon works best and gives the smoothest texture. You can purchase a watermelon and cut it yourself or buy one that is cut for you. You will need approximately 7 pounds with the rind on and approximately 5.3 pounds without the rind. Always refrigerate watermelon after it is cut.
- Salt - Just a small amount of salt, brings out the flavor of watermelon and makes it taste sweeter.
- Fresh Lime Juice - I love a little acidity when making this agua fresca and lime pairs beautifully with watermelon.
- Superfine Sugar - Also called "extra fine", this sugar quickly dissolves when making beverages.
- Cold Water - (not shown) Using cold water and cold watermelon, means you can serve this refreshing beverage immediately after making it.
Watermelon Agua Fresca Variations
- Substitute Agave Nectar or Honey. Instead of superfine sugar, you can use agave nectar or honey to sweeten this drink.
- Add More Sugar. If you like your Watermelon Water a little sweeter, you can add more sugar. But don't add more than ½ cup to avoid the sugar not dissolving and creating a "sugar sludge" at the bottom of the drink.
- Substitute Monkfruit. To sweeten this water use monkfruit instead of sugar for a no sugar added beverage.
- Add Mint. Fresh mint pairs beautifully with watermelon and lime. Try blending in a few mint leaves or use mint as a garnish.
- Add Strawberries. Strawberries and watermelon go very well together. Try adding 1 cup of sliced strawberries for every 3 cups of cubed watermelon.
How to Make Watermelon Agua Fresca
♡ So, let's not cook!
Add Ingredients. Add the cubes of watermelon, water, lime juice, sugar, and salt to a large-capacity high-speed blender.
Blend Until Smooth. Blend at low speed for 20 seconds. Then gradually increase speed to high and blend for another 30 to 40 seconds.
Serve and Enjoy. Pour into glasses, garnish as desired, and enjoy!
My Top Tip
♡ Make sure both the watermelon and the water are cold, so you can serve this refreshing beverage immediately after blending.
Equipment
I use a Vitamix Blender, a high-speed blender that easily turns watermelon into a smooth, refreshing drink.
If your blender is smaller, simply blend the ingredients in batches and combine everything in a large pitcher.
Watermelon Agua Fresca FAQs
Yes. Watermelon water is essentially a simple watermelon agua fresca made by blending watermelon with water, lime juice, and a little sweetener.
Not exactly. Watermelon juice is usually mostly pure blended watermelon, while watermelon water or agua fresca is lighter because it includes added water.
No, but you can. Straining makes the drink smoother and lighter, while leaving it unstrained gives it more body and fiber.
Yes. If your watermelon is very sweet, you can skip the sugar or use a small amount of honey, agave, or monkfruit.
Yes, but it is best enjoyed fresh. Frozen leftovers can be blended into slushies or popsicles.
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Make-Ahead: This Watermelon Agua Fresca tastes best the day it is made, but can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated until serving.
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir before serving, as natural separation may occur.
Refreshing Salads & Beverages You Will Love
Cool off with these delicious summer salads and beverages that are super easy to make!
Summer Salads
Summer Beverages
♡ Did you love this recipe for Watermelon Agua Fresca? Please leave a star rating and a comment below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Agua Fresca - Easy Watermelon Water Recipe
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Equipment
- 1 Large High Speed Blender Like a Vitamix
Ingredients
- 8 Cups Seedless Watermelon, Cold and Cut in Cubes
- 4 Cups Cold Water
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice, About 1 Large Lime
- 2 Tablespoons Superfine Sugar
- Pinch Salt
Optional Garnishes:
- Watermelon Slices, Lime Wedges, or Wheels
Instructions
- Add. Add the cubes of watermelon, water, lime juice, sugar, and salt to a large-capacity high-speed blender.
- Blend. Blend at low speed for 20 seconds. Then gradually increase speed to high and blend for another 30 to 40 seconds.
- Serve and Enjoy. Pour into glasses, garnish as desired, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Per 1 serving. All nutritional information on this site is an estimate. Your results may vary.
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Kathy Brooks says
Soooo refreshing!!!