Watermelon or Cantaloupe Agua Fresca 

Agua fresca is a light fruit drink popular throughout Mexico. 
It’s simply made by blending fruit with water, a bit of sugar and a little lime juice. 
Begin with sweet, juicy melon, or your agua fresca won’t have much flavor.


4 cups diced, peeled ripe watermelon or cantaloupe
3 cups water
2 to 3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar

1. Blend together the watermelon or cantaloupe with 1 1/2 cups of the water, the lime juice and the sugar at high speed until smooth. Strain through a medium strainer into a large pitcher or bowl. Stir in the remaining water. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with a mint sprig, and serve.

Yield: Four servings.

Variations: 

Stir an additional cup of finely chopped fruit into the strained blended drink and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer.

For the watermelon version, add 4 hulled strawberries.

Mango or Pineapple Agua Fresca: substitute mango or pineapple for the melon.