Watermelon Agua Fresca

Growing up in a border city I was surrounded by the best Mexican food. Every Sunday we would go to church then cross the border in to Juarez, Mexico to do our grocery shopping. There, we would spend time in the Mercado buying meat from the butcher, getting fresh produce from vendors, tasting the freshest cheeses and stocking up on freshly made tortillas. On occasion we would take our grandparents with us (my dads’ parents) and what normally would be an hour trip would turn in to several hours.

We’d walk down the aisles of the Mercado and without fail, you would hear at least one vendor call out to my grandparents. They seemed to know everyone! While my dad was with my Lito (grandpa) tasting the produce, my Lita (grandma) was on the other side with my mom buying Mexican cookies for the grandkids. All seemed like boring stuff to young kids like me who were just waiting off to the side wondering when they would be done. Finally we would pack up the car and start driving back towards the border.

Before we crossed back in to Texas we would see the Aguas Frescas off the side of the road. There would be a table set up, lined up with so many different flavors…Cucumber, Tamarindo, Horchata, Watermelon, Cantaloupe. My dad would pull over and all of us would get our favorite drink to go. It made the trip all worth it. It seems like my siblings and I were eating and drinking out of food trucks way before it was trendy to do so.

Now, its very common to find Aguas Frescas in every restaurant, grocery store or convenience store back home. It gives me great joy to introduce my daughter to the foods and drinks I grew up with.

These flavored waters are easy to make at home and perfect for hot summer days. The great thing about this beverage is you can control how much sugar – if any- to add. Here is how to make a Watermelon Agua Fresca. I guarantee you’ve never made something so easy and delicious.

What you’ll need:

Watermelon

Limes (to taste)

Sugar (to taste)

Add small batches of the Watermelon to the blender with 1 cup of water for each batch until you use all the watermelon. Pour in to a pitcher and add the juice of one lime….or more. At this point you can add some sugar too if you want the drink a little sweeter.

There are certainly other recipes that are more crafted with different ingredients. Once you make one for the first time you’ll become more adventurous with flavors.

Oh! And the best part….you can make Watermelon Martini’s for the grown ups!