RECIPE
Watermelon Agua Fresca with Mint
When summer is in full swing and melons are fat and juicy, treat yourself to this delightful, family-friendly beverage.You can use cantaloupe, honeydew, or a mixture of different melons. Watermelon works best on its own, though – its consistency doesn’t jive with other kinds of melons.
For a more adult beverage, try spiking this with tequila or vodka! [Editor’s note: recipe from Sam Mogannam’s Eat Good Food cookbook.]
Ingredients
Mix the cocktail
1/2 small watermelon (about 3 pounds)
1/4 cup sugar, more as needed
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, more as needed
16 large mint leaves (optional)
2 cups of water
DIRECTIONS
Mix the cocktail
Cut off and discard the watermelon rind. Cut the fruit into 2-inch cubes, removing any seeds you encounter along the way.
Put half of the watermelon in a blender, along with half of the sugar, half the lime juice, half the mint leaves (if using), and 1 cup of the water. Pulse and blend until you have a smooth mixture. Transfer the puree to another container and repeat with the remaining watermelon, sugar, lime juice, mint, and water.
Strain the puree, if desired. Taste the mixture and add more water, sugar, and/or lime juice as desired. Melons vary significantly in texture, sweetness, and acidity, so it’s important to take the time to taste and tweak. (Don’t worry if the sugar is still a little gritty; it’ll dissolve completely as it chills.)
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
