Easy Watermelon Agua Fresca Recipe: Agua de Sandia

This watermelon agua fresca or agua de sandia is a refreshing and delicious treat the whole family will love! Made with ripe, sweet and juicy watermelon it’s a great way to keep hydrated all summer long. Hurry and make my agua watermelon agua fresca recipe for your next gathering.

What is Agua Fresca

Agua means water and fresca fresh as in refreshing or cooling water.

Another translation for these drinks is “coolers”. So this would be a Mexican watermelon cooler.

Agua fresca is one of the most popular Mexican drinks all over Mexico, in the United States, and in some countries in Central America.

Typically it consists of blending seasonal fruits with water and a sweetener.

Sometimes edible fruits, nuts, grains and seeds are also used. As well as a combination of fruits or any of the previously mentioned items.

I grew up drinking fresh watermelon water and to me it was and still is the perfect drink, or best agua fresca flavor, to keep me cool during hot weather. Specially when I’m craving cold drinks with just a bit of sugar. This agua fresca is a great addition to summer barbecues or family get togethers. 

Is Agua Fresca The Same as Juice?

No. An agua fresca is blended fruit mixed with water, and juice is extracted from the fruit and generally not watered down.

So in this watermelon agua fresca we are taking the watermelon juice and combining it with water to create or refreshing drink on a hot summer day. 

In the case of edible flowers, specifically hibiscus flowers or jamaica, they are simmered in hot water to make a tea. The tea is then strained and mixed with sugar and additional water.

Rice agua fresca, or horchata, is made by soaking the rice in water until soft or overnight. Cinnamon and sometimes nuts can be added when blending the rice. Sometimes sugar or condensed milk may be added for sweetness.

Watermelon Agua Fresca Ingredients

One of the things you’ll love about my recipe is that all of the simple ingredients are completely natural and easily found anywhere.

• Ripe Watermelon: Try to use a seedless watermelon so you don’t have to strain the agua fresca. Your favorite sweet variety is perfect.
• Water: I use filtered ice cold water.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Not everyone adds it but I love how it adds the perfect balance of sweet with a touch of tart. Also it helps preserve the fresh flavor longer.
• Sugar: Traditionally refined white sugar is used but it’s not vegan, so I use muscovado sugar. See variations below.
• Salt: This is not traditional at all but it’s something I’ve done for years because it adds a light touch of savory taste. You can omit if you’d like.
• Ice Cubes: Plenty for serving.

You’ll also need some lime slices to decorate your pitcher or serving glasses. If you’d like could also use fresh mint leaves too.

Watermelon Agua Fresca F.A.Q.

Sugar-Free Agua Fresca or Lightly Sweetened

I like to use very little sugar, if any at all. The reason being that I don’t feel the need to add more sweetness to a sweet fruit. If I don’t use lime juice, then in fact I won’t use any sweetener. Or if the fruit is extra sweet even with lime juice I’ll omit the sugar.

So if I’m using sugar or a sweetener, it is then added to the blender ingredients.

I would also suggest to stick to muscovado sugar because it not only adds a great flavor, but it’s also vegan!

Salt to Help Bring Out The Flavor

Something I like to do with my agua fresca is to add a pinch of salt. Yep, salt!

Salt has long been used to enhance flavor in food. That’s exactly what it does to the watermelon and lime juice in my agua fresca recipe.

How to Make Agua de Sandia

An agua fresca is one of the most delicious Mexican non-alcoholic beverage because it’s so easy to make.

In the case of agua de sandia or watermelon agua fresca, the part that will take the longest is the cutting the chunks of watermelon – though it’s super easy to do!

Once the watermelon is ready to use it’s just a matter of blending.

Should Agua Fresca be Strained?

Many people do strain all agua fresca varieties.

When it comes to fruit agua frescas, I personally don’t like to strain them. My blender does a pretty good job at breaking down the contents. Plus discarding the pulp is wasting natural plant fiber and vitamins and minerals.

But straining is completely up to you.

How to Serve Watermelon Agua Fresca

Agua fresca, all types of agua fresca flavors, are best served very cold and with plenty of ice cubes.

The cold temperature accentuates the natural flavors. Not to mention really hitting the spot on a hot day or when you’re super thirsty on a hot summer day.

Have fun and add slices of the fruit, fresh mint sprig, or some lime wedges to make the glass a bit prettier.

This watermelon agua fresca goes perfect with foods you normally serve during the hot summer months.

Dishes like vegan Mexican ensalada de pollo, Mexican Macaroni Salad, with Chorizo Cheese Dip for a dinner party, Enchiladas Michoacanas.

Tacos of course are another fantastic main dish to pair this delicious drink. Try vegan Tacos de Bistec or Steak Tacos, vegan fish tacos, Tacos de Papa Dorados (Potato Tacos), or my Vegan Birria Tacos.

How to Store Watermelon Agua Fresca

This refreshing Mexican drink will only keep fresh for one day, it loses it taste and a bit of the color the next day. You can still drink it the next day but it won’t be as vibrant tasting.

Mexican Watermelon Drink

This recipe can be tweaked and adjusted as you like. By adjusting the sugar amount and even the water amount depending on how juicy the watermelon is.

Amigos go ahead and try out my super easy, refreshing and delicious watermelon agua fresca or agua de sandia recipe. I promise it’s going to become one of your favorite summer drinks.