Watermelon Cucumber Agua Fresca
Refreshing and tangy, this lightly flavored watermelon cucumber agua fresca will keep you hydrated on hot summer days. It's packed with nutrients and has a gentle sweetness that's hard to resist.
Calories: 188kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams) cubed seedless watermelon flesh
- 6 ounces (170 grams) peeled, seeded, cubed English cucumber
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) 1:1 simple syrup, more to taste
- 3 cups (708 ml) cold water, divided
- Fresh mint leaves to garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the watermelon, cucumber, lime juice, and simple syrup into a blender along with one cup of the water.
- Blend until perfectly smooth.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, until well-chilled.
- Serve in tall, ice-filled glasses, garnished with small watermelon wedges and mint leaves if you like.
Notes
- One pound of peeled, seeded, and cubed watermelon flesh comes from about two to 2 ½ pounds whole watermelon. I like to buy a seedless variety when possible to avoid having to hunt for and remove seeds before blending. The delicate white seeds are fine to leave in — just be sure to remove the dark ones.
- I like to use English or Persian cucumber since the seeds are delicate and minimal, and you won't lose a ton of the flesh when you remove them. That said, you can use any kind you've got, since you'll be peeling and seeding it regardless.
- Here's how to make 1:1 simple syrup. It's extremely useful for cocktails, cakes, and more — and it keeps for ages in the fridge. The amount called for in the recipe provides a very subtle sweetness. You can add more if you like. If you don’t feel like making simple syrup, you could substitute superfine sugar or a liquid sweetener of your choice.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a gentle tang to this refreshing drink. You can calibrate it according to your taste.
- Fresh mint leaves are an optional garnish — they add a nice dimension, but it's fine to omit them if you prefer.
- You'll want to make this drink at least two hours in advance to give it a chance to chill. It will keep well in the fridge for up to about 48 hours, so feel to make it the day before if you like. If you have leftovers, consider freezing them in ice cube trays to add to other beverages.
Nutrition
Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 48.4g | Protein: 3.8g | Fat: 0.9g | Fiber: 3.4g