Watermelon Agua Fresca

Servings: 10 Prep: 15 mins Cook: 0 mins Total: 15 mins

I don’t remember the first time I had an “agua fresca”. I’m sure I was very young, but I’ve always known about them and have always loved them.

An agua fresca is a beverage meaning “Fresh Water” in English. They’re common in Latin American countries, as well as the Caribbean, apparently. They are, in short, stuff watered down with water … and then sweetened with sugar! They are delicious, fresh, hydrating and … an inexpensive way to split a melon, a bunch of limes or an assortment of nuts and spices between a large group of people! The water stretches the ingredient into a large volumetric mass, while the sugar enhances the flavors! Perfect!

For all intents and purposes … lemonade is an agua fresco. Lemon juice mixed with water and sugar. Boom. YUM! Throw a little strawberry in there and you’ve got something new and delicious!

I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico (I lived there for 10 years). There were shops you could walk into that had WALLS full of giant chilled “garrafóns” (jugs), which look like massive clear barrels. Because they can be made from just about anything, walking into one of these shops is almost like walking into a candy store. There are brilliant colors and flavors everywhere. A virtual rainbow of colors and flavors! Pineapple, lime, Jamaica (hibiscus), tamarind, oat, rice, orange, almond, mango, strawberry, watermelon, passion fruit, prickly pear, cucumber, etc. There’s a near limitless variety … then … the blends! OH MY!!

One of the great things about agua frescas for a low-carber is the fact that we can sneak a little bit of extra fruit into lives! Make a big batch of orange-tamarind agua fresca for an INCREDIBLY deep and interesting flavor, without totally messing with your blood sugars. It’d be a bit brown and murky, but it would ALSO be exotic and action packed!

Here we have an INCREDIBLY simple one, resulting in just a smooth and mellow beverage; just watermelon, sweetener and water (plus a bit of lime and salt … for counter balance and a small flavor boost!). Perfect any time!

Note: Makes about 10 cups.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 10 Servings

Author: DJ Foodie

Ingredients

• 8 cups watermelon cubes seedless
• 6 cups water
• 1/2 cup 'Swerve' or other sugar replacement
• 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

• I like to use a melon baller to ball about 2 cups worth of watermelon and set aside. Afterwards, I like to roughly chop the remaining watermelon (equal to about 6 cups).
• To a blender, add the rough-cut watermelon with the lime juice, sweetener, salt and just enough water to cover the watermelon. Puree the mixture until smooth.
• (Optional) Place a fine strainer over a large bowl or non-reactive pot and strain the liquid, removing any thick pulp that may be left behind. This will make for a thinner and more consistent beverage.
• Place the liquid in a large pitcher, jug or punch bowl. Add the remaining water and whisk. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the melon balls, chill and drink!

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