Watermelon Agua Fresca

Before you start

Agua fresca simply means fresh water, and in Mexico these light fruit drinks are ladled from big glass barrels at markets and taco stands. Watermelon is one of the most popular. It needs almost nothing: ripe melon blended with a little water, a squeeze of lime and as much sugar as the fruit needs, then strained or left a bit pulpy.

The drink should taste like cold watermelon, only lighter and more drinkable, not like juice or soda. So the water amount is the main decision. A very sweet, deep-red melon can take more water; a pale, mild one needs less water and a bit of sugar. Lime is not there to make it sour; it lifts the melon flavor the way salt lifts food. A tiny pinch of salt does the same.

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg (about 8 cups cubed) seedless watermelon flesh — from about a 2.5 kg (5½ lb) melon
• 360 ml (1½ cups) cold water
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh lime juice — about 1 lime
• 0 to 50 g (0 to ¼ cup) granulated sugar — depending on the melon
• Pinch fine salt
• To serve ice, lime wedges and mint sprigs

Method

1. Wash the outside of the melon, then cut away the rind and cube the flesh. Remove any black seeds you see.
2. Working in batches if needed, blend the melon with the water for 20 to 30 seconds until completely liquid.
3. For a clean, light drink, strain through a fine sieve into the pitcher, pressing gently. For a more rustic texture, skip straining.
4. Stir in the lime juice and salt. Taste, then add sugar a spoonful at a time, stirring until dissolved, only if the melon needs it.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes or serve straight away over ice with lime wedges and mint.
6. Stir before each pour, because the fruit solids settle.

Tips for success

• Pick a melon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy-yellow ground spot where it rested on the soil.
• Freeze a few melon cubes and use them instead of ice so the drink does not dilute.
• Sugar dissolves slowly in cold liquid. Blend it in with the melon if you already know the fruit needs it.

Substitutions

Granulated sugar

Agave syrup blends in instantly and suits the flavor. Use about two-thirds as much.

Lime juice

Lemon juice works but is less traditional and slightly softer.

Still water

Replace half the water with soda water in each glass for a sparkling version.

Variations

Watermelon cucumber

Blend half a peeled cucumber with the melon for a greener, cooler flavor.

Chile-lime rim

Run a lime wedge around the glass and dip it in chile-lime seasoning before pouring.

Troubleshooting

Tastes bland

The melon was underripe or the drink is too diluted. Add lime, a pinch of salt and a little sugar, and use less water next time.

Foamy on top

Blending whips air into the fruit. Let it rest for 10 minutes and skim off the foam.

Separates in the pitcher

That is normal for fresh fruit. Stir before serving, or strain it finer.

Storage

Refrigerate in a covered pitcher and drink within 2 days; cut melon and its juice are perishable. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.