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This watermelon agua fresca (or agua de sandia in Spanish) is a bright and refreshing Mexican drink made with only 3 ingredients – watermelon, water, and a touch of sugar!
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Made from a blended mixture of ripe watermelon, water, and a little bit of sugar, watermelon agua fresca (also known as agua de sandia or watermelon water) is one of the most refreshing summer drinks you’ll ever have!
It’s best served chilled and over ice and can be garnished with some mint leaves and lime wedges for a little extra brightness.
Watermelon and other flavors of agua frescas have been a part of my childhood for as long as I can remember. I used to try all the different types at my church’s summer carnival every year, and it was one of my favorite summer drinks! It’s perfect for the family, made with minimal ingredients, and is a great way to use your summer fruit.
Watermelon Agua Fresca Ingredients
This watermelon agua fresca recipe is made from 3 simple ingredients you likely have in your kitchen:
- Watermelon: A ripe seedless watermelon is preferred since we’ll be blending it up.
- Water: Simple, clean, cold water.
- Granulated sugar: To sweeten the drink just a bit. This is completely optional depending on the sweetness of the watermelon. Start with very little, then adjust the amount as you go. You could also use a different sweetener if you prefer.
How To Make Watermelon Agua Fresca
Blend: Blend the watermelon, water, and sugar until your desired texture.
Taste: Take a sip and taste, then add more sugar if needed. You can also strain it at this point if you prefer your agua fresca without any pulp.
Serve: Serve the watermelon agua fresca over ice with a lime wedge and mint!
Tips!
- If you prefer your agua fresca without any pulp, you can strain the blended mixture to remove any extra solids. I personally like the pulp, but everyone has different preferences, so you do you!
- This agua fresca makes a great base for a summer cocktail. Just mix in your favorite liquor of choice and enjoy it by the pool.
- Agua de sandia can be kept in the fridge for 3 days. If you can’t finish it in time, pour any leftovers into ice cube trays and freeze it for up to 3 months!
- If you omit the sugar in this recipe, you can even make ice cubes to give to your pets!
More Aguas Frescas
There are many flavors of aguas frescas made from different ingredients, including fruits, teas, and even rice! Here are some different aguas frescas to enjoy:
- Cucumber – Agua de Pepino
- Tamarind – Agua de Tamarindo
- Hibiscus – Agua de Jamaica
- Rice and Almond – Horchata
- Cantaloupe – Agua de Melon
- Pineapple – Agua de Piña
- Strawberry – Agua de Fresa
Recommended Tools
- Pitcher. Here’s a great glass pitcher with a lid that fits perfectly in the fridge!
- Strainer. This one comes in 3 different sizes and is perfect for straining any aguas frescas.
- Blender. A powerful blender is a must when blending fruit to make sure it all gets smooth.
Storage
Watermelon agua fresca can be kept fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze the agua fresca in ice cubes for up to 3 months!
More Recipes
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Ingredients
- 6 cups diced watermelon
- 4 cups cold water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, plus more as needed
- limes wedges and mint sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the watermelon, cold water, and ½ of the sugar to a large blender. Blend until completely smooth.
- Taste and add the remaining sugar if needed.
- Serve immediately over ice or chill in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Garnish with lime wedges and mint sprigs if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a smooth agua fresca without any froth or pulp from the watermelon, I recommend straining it through a fine mesh strainer before serving.
- Can’t finish your agua fresca in 3 days? Freeze the rest in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photos by Erin Jensen of The Wooden Skillet.
This is a very refreshing beverage, I’ll bring making this recipe many times this summer.
What do you do about the seeds?
Hi Tyger! I would use a seedless watermelon so you don’t have to worry about the seeds!
can you make a 5 gallon recipes
Hi! You can calculate this recipe for 5 gallons using the toggle tool on the recipe card. You might have to convert the amount though. Hope this helps!
So refreshing and tasty; I didn’t need to add the sugar either, but next time I’m going to add some mint. Thank-you Isabel.
Going to make this in just a minute. I thought it would be refreshing and useful especially being home during this time. Did you end up moving back to Oklahoma?
I hope you love it, Valerie. And yes! My husband and I have been in OK since January 2019!
How long will this keep in the fridge?
You can store Watermelon Agua Fresca in your fridge for about 4-5 days.
Wow really good! I got a little crazy and added a little orange flavored sparkling water and that kicked it up a notch, though it didn’t even need it.
This was delicious! I added water to taste and didn’t need the sugar.
Thank you so much, Paula! I find that with really ripe and fresh watermelons, there’s no need for sugar either 🙂
This looks HELLA refreshing!! I’ve been lucky to live very close to my family except for the two years I lived in Greece, and that time proved how difficult it can be when you just want some actual “face time.” Thank goodness for technology to bridge the gap when we can’t be physically near, for good food (and drinks) to share with loved ones – virtually or IRL, and for this little space of the internet you’ve carved out to share your life – and all the ups and downs that come with it! 🙂
Thanks, Allyson. 🙂 It’s definitely not easy being so far away, and it only gets harder with time. You’d think it would get easier! But I’m definitely grateful to have the means to fly home a couple of times a year and the internet helps things seem a bit closer.
You’re definitely not alone. So often I feel the same way and think I’m not allowed to feel that way bc I have a great life but hey, we’re human. We FEEL. Hang in there, girl. It will get easier. Xoxo. Also, umm, these photos are BEAUTIFUL. This agua de sandia looks beyond refreshing! Yum!
Thanks, Jamie <3 I really appreciate it. It's nice to know I'm not alone!