Melon Agua Fresca

 

5 C. cubed peeled, seeded melon (from about 3 lb. melon; see notes)

1/2 to 3/4 C. sugar

1/3 to 1/2 C. lime juice

 

In a blender, whirl melon, 1/2 C. sugar, and 1 C. water until very smooth. Pour into a large pitcher (at least 3 qt.). Whisk in 1/3 C. lime juice, 7 C. water, and more sugar and lime juice to taste. Chill until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day. Serve over ice.

 

 

 

Strawberry Agua Fresca

 

4 C. water

1/3 C. sugar

6 C. hulled strawberries

1/4 C. fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

 

Combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place strawberries in a blender, and process until smooth. Combine the sugar mixture, strawberry puree, and juice; stir well.

 

 

 

Strawberry-Mint Agua Fresca

 

4 C. quartered fresh strawberries (about 2 pints)

6 C. cold water, divided

1/4 C. sugar

2 T. chopped fresh mint

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

 

Combine strawberries, 2 C. water, sugar, and mint in a blender; process 2 minutes or until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Add remaining 4 C. water and juice; refrigerate. Serve over ice.

 

 

 

Papaya Agua Fresca

 

5 C. cubed ripe Mexican papaya (from about 3 lb. papaya; see notes)

1/2 to 3/4 C. sugar

1/3 to 1/2 C. lime juice

 

In a blender, whirl papaya, 1/2 C. sugar, and 1 C. water until very smooth. Pour into a large pitcher (at least 3 qt.). Whisk in 1/3 C. lime juice, 7 C. water, and more sugar and lime juice to taste. Chill until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day. Serve over ice.

 

 

 

Berry-Melon Agua Fresca

 

2 C. peeled honeydew melon chunks (see notes)

1 C. sliced fresh strawberries

1 C. fresh raspberries

About 1/3 C. sugar

About 1/3 C. fresh lime juice

 

In a blender, combine fruit and 2 C. cold water. Whirl until puréed and add sugar and lime juice to taste. Pour mixture through a strainer into a serving pitcher. Serve cold.

 

 

 

 

Orange-Mango Agua Fresca

 

3 pounds firm-ripe mangoes

4 C. orange juice

1/2 C. lightly packed fresh mint leaves, rinsed and drained

About 1/4 C. lemon juice

Ice cubes

Mint sprigs

 

Cut and discard pits and peel from mangoes. Cut fruit into chunks. In a blender or food processor, in batches, whirl the mangoes, orange juice, mint leaves, and 5 C. water until smoothly puréed; pour into a pitcher. Stir in 1/4 C. lemon juice, or to taste. Pour agua fresca into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs.

 

 

 

Watermelon Agua Fresca

 

4 C. cubed seeded watermelon, divided

4 C. water

2 T. sugar

2 T. fresh lime juice

 

Finely chop 2 C. of watermelon, and set aside. Place remaining 2 C. watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Pour pureed watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher, and discard solids. Add water, sugar, and lime juice; stir until sugar dissolves. Stir in the chopped watermelon. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.