Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

I saw a number of cantaloupe recipes in Redbook magazine this summer and cut them out to try.

I like agua frescas a lot, and they are so simple to make.
They're also called agua de fruta at times.
They're very common in Mexico, and I shared a watermelon version here.

You start by cutting up a cantaloupe into large chunks, then blending the fruit with 4 c of water in the blender.  I did mine in two batches.

Then you strain the mixture in a fine mesh strainer - straining the juice into a pitcher, and reserving the pulp for a smoothie later on!

Once you have your agua fresca, mix in the juice of two limes and chill.

When you're ready to serve, add some fresh mint.

I think it's almost heartbreaking sometimes to cut up a melon and then turn it into a beverage - I'd rather eat it as is! 

But sometimes it's great to make an agua fresca if I've got a lot of leftover fruit, or just for a change of pace.  And I do save the pulp for a smoothie, which works well.

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

Buen Provecho!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca

This was one of my favorite drinks I learned to make when we lived in Mexico.

This weekend Thomas had a friend staying over so I made this with breakfast yesterday.

What a hit!

Agua Fresca or Agua de Fruta is sold throughout Mexico - in restaurants, at resorts out by the pool, and by street vendors everywhere.

Thomas got addicted to the mango version when we went to a resort in Manzanillo.

It's super easy and delicious.

You blend 4 cups of a watery, fresh fruit with 1/2 cup of water and 2 Tbsp of sugar. 

The amount of sugar varies with your taste and the sweetness of the fruit.

I usually stick with 2 Tbsp.

Once blended it's important to strain it for pulps or seeds.  I usually end up with just 1/4 c pulp left after smushing it through with a spoon. 

Then garnish with lemon, lime, or mint.

If you have a flavored simple syrup on hand, you can substitute that instead of the water and sugar.

Lime simple syrup is really popular with watermelon.

Other popular fruit varieties are:  cantaloupe, mango, papaya, guava, strawberry, and lime.

Double click on the recipe card to print out as a 5x7 card.

Buen Provecho!