Watermelon Agua Fresca

Reach for a glass of refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca on hot days. This fresh, easy, and delicious drink is made with just 3 ingredients in under 5 minutes. The sweet watermelon flavor is cool, crisp and delicious. It’s the perfect drink to reach for all summer!

Fresh watermelon is one of the best fruits of the summer season. It’s great for snacking but one of my favorite ways to eat watermelon is by making a fresh agua fresca drink.

This super refreshing drink is a quick and easy non-alcoholic drink for a hot summer day. Fresh fruit is pureed with cold water and a splash of honey.

If you’re looking for easy summer dishes to serve with the agua fresca, try Grilled Skirt Steak, Cajun Butter Corn, Mango Ceviche, or Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream. It’s a great addition to a summer barbecue or sip it as a refreshing poolside drink.

What is an Agua Fresca?

Agua frescas are a light non-alcoholic drink made from fruits and water. They are popular throughout Mexico and South America, especially during the hot weather season.

They are light, hydrating and fully customizable. Many recipes add fresh citrus juice like fresh lime juice or lemon juice. You can also add a touch of sweetness with honey or agave syrup, if desired.

Popular flavors of agua fresca include watermelon, mango, pineapple, or strawberry. Watermelon agua frescas are one of my favorite flavors and they are easy to make in the summer.

Watermelon Agua Fresca Highlights 🍉

This watermelon agua fresca recipe is my go-to summer drink.

• Quick and Easy: All you have to do is chop some water, throw it in a blender with water, lime juice, and honey and then blend. It doesn’t get any easier and you can even prep this drink in advance.
• Hydrating: Watermelon contains about 90% water so this drink is a very hydrating drink. It also tastes great!
• Versatile: Serve agua frescas poolside or with any summer meal. It’s a drink fit for the entire family as kids and adults both love it!

Ingredients You Need

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Watermelon: Use fresh seedless watermelon. See my tips below for choosing the best ripe watermelon.
• Limes: Freshly squeezed lime juice pairs well with watermelon because the tart citrus flavor balances the sweetness of the watermelon. The two ingredients create a fresh juicy drink that is packed with flavor.
• Honey: I love to add a little bit of honey for sweetness, but you can omit it if you want. You can also substitute with a little sugar, agave syrup, or simple syrup.
• Garnish (optional): Add a little fresh summer flair by garnishing with fresh mint sprigs and lime slices or lime wedges. You can even garnish each glass with a slice of watermelon.

Choosing a Watermelon

You want to choose a watermelon that has a yellow spot where the watermelon what sitting on the ground. This spot should not be white or green.

Tap on the bottom of the watermelon. If you hear a deep hollow sound then the watermelon is ripe. The skin should be dull and not shiny.

The perfect watermelon should also feel heavy. The heavier, the better, as this means they are filled with plenty of water which creates juicy, sweet watermelon.

Buying watermelons during watermelon season is the best way to ensure you buy the best tasting watermelon.

Recipe Tips

• Use less honey or omit it completely: You can omit the honey completely, if desired. It will still taste sweet since watermelon is a sweet fruit. You can also add a little more watermelon to compensate for no honey.
• Strain the liquid: You can drink the homemade watermelon juice as is, but I like to strain the watermelon mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds and pulp. Straining creates a smoother texture and the best flavor.
• Make it a cocktail: Add a shot of light rum or vodka to make a cocktail.

Storage and Make Ahead

Make Ahead: Cube the watermelon in advance to make things even quicker and easier. Store the ripe chunks of watermelon in an airtight container for up to 3 to5 days.

When you’re ready to make the drink, you can just dump the watermelon cubes in the blender with the other ingredients and enjoy your drink in under 5 minutes.

Storage: You can make this drink up to 2 days in advance of serving. Store in the fridge and stir prior to serving.