Watermelon Agua Fresca (Watermelon Fresh Water)

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chopped seedless watermelon
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 cup cold water
  • Optional: pinch salt (1/16th teaspoon)

Live Well Tips

  • You can’t spell watermelon without water! Watermelon is mostly water so can help you keep hydrated.
  • Watermelon is full of vitamin C, which is good for your immune system.
  • Choose a watermelon that does not have a flat side and that sounds hollow when you tap it. Also look for a melon that is not shiny and that’s free of soft spots and blemishes.
  • Always wash fruits and vegetables under running water before cutting into them.
  • If you have a blender, use it in place of steps 2 – 4 to make this recipe simpler.
  • Pair this with our fish tacos recipe for a complete meal!

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Place a strainer over a wide mouth pitcher or bowl.
  3. Put 2 cups of chopped watermelon in a gallon resealable bag. Press out the air and seal shut. Squeeze the watermelon chunks until smashed.
  4. Pour smashed watermelon out into the prepared strainer allowing the juice to drip through to the pitcher below. Use the back of a large spoon to gently press the watermelon against the strainer to extract as much juice as possible. (Compost or throw away any bits left in the strainer.)
  5. Repeat with remaining 2 cups of chopped watermelon.
  6. Add in the lime juice, salt (if using), and additional cold water. Stir. Pour over ice. Enjoy!

Cook Together! Making Agua Fresca with Kids

Sipping an agua fresca is a hydrating, vitamin C-rich, low-calorie alternative to store-bought fruit drinks. Kids can help create their own recipe by mixing and matching different fruits!

Easy Tasks

  • Gather ingredients and equipment.
  • Wash fresh watermelon and lime.
  • Squeeze watermelon chunks in a resealable bag until smashed.
  • Stir mixture.

Intermediate Tasks

  • Put chopped watermelon in a resealable bag.
  • Press watermelon against the strainer with a spoon.
  • Squeeze lime juice and add salt.

Difficult Tasks

  • Pour smashed watermelon into the prepared strainer.
  • Pour over ice to serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size ½ recipe: Calories–90; Protein–2g; Carbohydrate–24g; Total Fat–0g; Saturated Fat–0g; Cholesterol–0mg; Fiber–1g; Sodium–75mg; Iron–4%; Calcium–0%

Adapted from University of Georgia Extension, Food Talk