Aguas Frescas

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Aguas Frescas translates to “cool waters.” These are made from watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. This Mexican refreshing beverage, is perfect for a hot, summer day. Pair these with my Carne Asada Tacos and Strawberry Tres Leches for the ideal summer menu.

Aguas Frescas in different glasses.

During the summer when temperatures are scorching, I can’t recommend these Aguas Frescas enough. Drinking a cold glass of agua fresca at my favorite taco stand will forever be something I love about Los Angeles.

As you know, I adore Mexican food of all kinds. I love Mexican-American dishes like my crispy Ground Beef Tacos, Double Decker Tacos. And of course, I love authentic dishes like Beef Birria and even fusion-like dishes like this Birra Ramen.

Fruit for Agua Fresca.

What is Agua Fresca?

Let’s talk about agua frescas. They originate in Mexico and translate literally to be “cool waters.” They have other flavors too like tamarindo, agua de horchata and cucumber. They’ll quench and any thirst and they’re amazing on a super hot day.

Fruits for Agua Fresca.

What Fruit is Good for Aguas Frescas?

  1. Honeydew Melon
  2. Canteloupe
  3. Watermelon
  4. Strawberries
  5. Pineapple
  6. Cucumber
How to Make Agua Fresca

Equipment You’ll need to Make Aguas Frescas?

The equipment is super simple and streamlined. You’ll need:

  • A blender. I love my high-powered blender which is a Vitamix (in the past I’ve had a Ninja and loved that, too).
  • Strainer or sieve (this will help with removing the pulp from the blended juice)

How to Make Aguas Frescas?

  1. Whatever fruit you’re using, add it to the blender.
  2. Depending on how sweet the fruit naturally is, you may need to add or not add sugar. With watermelon, I hardly ever add sugar.
  3. Pulse until it’s all blended up.
  4. Pour the mixture through a strainer, allowing it drain. If you like, you can help it go faster with a big spoon.
  5. Give the drink a taste and adjust the sugar according to your liking.
  6. Transfer it to a pitcher and place it in the fridge for 1 hour. As a result, it’ll be super cold and perfect when poured over ice.

Recipe FAQs

What equipment will I need to make Agua Fresca?

You’ll need a blender. I love my high-powered blender which is a Vitamix (in the past I’ve had a Ninja and loved that, too). Strainer or sieve (this will help with removing the pulp from the blended juice. That’s it!

Is agua fresca the same as horchata?

Horchata is a type of agua fresca. I opted to create this post and concentrate on fruit-based aguas frescas. But I do love Horchata and I also love making my Horchata Coffee recipe.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

If you tried this Aguas Frescas Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 6 votes

Aguas Frescas

Prep: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Aguas Frescas translate to "cool waters." These are made from watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. This Mexican refreshing beverage, is perfect for a warm day.

Equipment

  • 1 strainer
  • 1 blender

Ingredients 

Honeydew Agua Fresca:

  • 4 pound honeydew, flesh chopped up, seeds and skin discarded
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
  • Juice from 1 lime

Watermelon Agua Fresca

  • 3 to 5 pound seedless watermelon, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, if needed

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca:

  • 4 pound cantaloupe, flesh and seeds scooped out
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
  • Juice from 1 lime

Instructions 

To Make Honeydew Agua Fresca:

  • Place a medium-fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. You most likely will need to do this in batches (I have a pretty big blender and had to do it in batches).
  • To a blender, add the honeydew, water, sugar and lime juice. Pulse until completely smooth and pureed. Pour the mixture into the strainer, allowing it to drain. Feel free to help it along by stirring it with a whisk. Give it a taste and add any more sugar, if needed. Transfer it to pitcher and place in the fridge to chill.

To Make Watermelon Agua Fresca:

  • Place a medium-fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. You most likely will need to do this in batches (I have a pretty big blender and had to do it in batches).
  • To a blender, add the cubed watermelon and water. Pulse until pureed and very smooth. Give it a taste; adjust the sugar accordingly. If it’s at the beginning of the summer, you may need to add a bit of sugar, toward the end of the season, the watermelons will be super sweet and will need none at all.
  • Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a pitcher, pressing the watermelon pulp with the back of a spoon to release any excess juices. Transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.

To Make Cantaloupe Agua Fresca:

  • Place a medium-fine mesh strainer into a large bowl. You most likely will need to do this in batches (I have a pretty big blender and had to do it in batches).
  • To a blender, add the cantaloupe flesh, its seeds, water, sugar and lime juice. Pulse until completely smooth and pureed. Pour the mixture into the strainer, allowing it to drain. Feel free to help it along by stirring it with a whisk. Give it a taste and add any more sugar, if needed. Transfer it to pitcher and place in the fridge to chill.

Notes

To Store: 
Keep in the refrigerator in a covered pitcher for up to 4 days. Give it a mix just before serving. 
Equipment: 
High-Powered Blender | Sieve Strainer | Sharp Chef’s Knife

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 48.2g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 0.7g | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 1048mg | Fiber: 3.7g | Sugar: 43g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Like this Recipe? Please Rate & comment below!

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Hi! I'm Adrianna and this is my cozy space on the internet that is super-charged by butter, flour and copious amounts of pasta. Stay awhile, will you!

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8 Comments

  1. These sound amazing! I can’t wait to try. I just came from Sayulita and had the most amazing Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca, which is what led me to your site! ❤️

    I have 2 questions: (1) Could I use my juicer, rather than my blender? Or is the Blender providing a different consistency, hence why you recommend blending the fruit, then straining the fruit? (2) Do you have recipe for a pineapple cucumber agua Fresca? Thank you!!

  2. These sound amazing! I can’t wait to try. I just came from Sayulita and had the most amazing Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca, which is what led me to your site.

    I have 2 questions: (1) Could I use my juicer, rather than my blender? Or is the Blender providing a different consistency, hence why you recommend blending the fruit, then straining the fruit? (2) Do you have recipe for a pineapple cucumber agua Fresca? Thank you!!

  3. 5 stars
    I’ve got two questions, but first I just wanted to say congratulations and keep up the great work! I love your book, and just happened to wind up here by chance after looking for some Agua Fresca recipes.

    1. Why do you add the seeds with the cantaloupe flesh, while they are discarded from the honeydew?

    2. How long do you suppose they’d keep, refrigerated in a sealed bottle? (Psh, like I’m not gonna down it all the second it’s ready!)

    Thanks again!
    Kate

    1. Oh thank you so much! I keep the seeds in with the cantaloupe because I believe they give off a nice almond flavor. I’d say they’d keep for about 3 days. Let me know how they go! 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Just made the watermelon agua fresca and it’s so good! More cost effective than buying watermelon juice from the shop downtown, and no more work to make it than to drive all the way there. Watermelon is my fave thing about summer.

    1. yassss! so much more cost effective. you get so much more for your money! and i can drink so much watermelon juice. haha. it truly is the best thing about summer. 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Such a great idea! I love how easy they are! Also beautiful pictures as always. Thanks for sharing!
    Coco| pjsandstuff.wordpress.com

  6. 5 stars
    Yes! Watermelon agua Fresca at the flower market is a Saturday morning well spent to me! Gonna miss that about LA. But now I can make my own!