Refreshing and cooling Agua De Melon! This light fruit drink is very popular throughout Mexico and specially during the hot summer months.
Agua Fresca De Melon
During the summer when there is ample fresh fruit, I like to make Aguas Frescas at least twice a week. Today I’m showing you everything you need to know about Agua De Melon!
Growing up we would have these drinks with our main meal and sodas were consumed very rarely. I have so many memories around aguas frescas, like going to the mercado with my dad and always begging for one but I’m going to spare you from the rest of the details 🙂
Origin
Mexican Aguas Frescas are made by mixing water with fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, flowers, grains, and cereals, then it’s mixed with some sugar.
Aguas Frescas origin started with the drinks that were sold in the pre-Hispanic tianguis (Mexican markets) and still to the day, every mercado in Mexico has at least one agua stand.
These drinks are called “frescas”, because they used to be kept in clay pots and, therefore, the temperature of the drink was always a few degrees below room temperature. In Oaxaca, for example, before ice was available, clay pots were placed in boxes made of damp soil from the ground.
These aguas vary from state to state but here are some of the most popular ones throughout the country: Jamaica Agua De Piña, Horchata and one of my favorites Agua De Pepino.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredients
This delicious recipe only consist of 3 ingredients!
The Cantaloupe
Begin with sweet, juicy melon, or your beverage won’t have much flavor. For this recipe we’re using a regular melon but it can also be made with honeydew.
The sweetner
The traditional sweetener for this recipe is white sugar. However, it can also be made with stevia, agave, or even brown sugar. Do note that the taste profile may change if you use an a different sweetener.
How To Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe
According to this gardener’s page, the cantaloupes are ripe when have a sweet, musky aroma. The rind should be straw-colored, but may still have some green showing.
For me, I always check the smell. I like to inspect the round section where the vine was attached and push it a little bit with my fingers. If it’s slightly soft and the smell is fragrant, then I have a winner!
How To Make Agua De Melon
- Peel the cantaloupe and remove the seeds using a spoon.
- Cut into large chunks.
- Optional, reserve a few slices of melon and cut into small cubes to garnish your drinks with.
- In a blender, blend half of the cantaloupe with 2 cups of the water, the lime juice (if using any) and half the sugar at high speed until smooth.
- Transfer to a large pitcher and repeat process with the other half of the cantaloupe.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. To serve, fill a glass with ice, stir the agua first then pour into the glass. Garnish with small pieces of cantaloupe for extra texture and a mint sprig (optional).
Note: For this Melon Water, there is no need to strain out the blended fruit as that’s where the healthy fiber is! I actually like to add small chunks of cantaloupe to each individual glass when serving. It adds a fun texture!
Agua De Melon with milk
There is also another popular variation of this drink and it goes by several names: Agua Cremosa De Melon, Horchata De Melon, Agua Fresca De Melón Con Leche, and I’m sure there are others.
This variation is made with condensed and evaporated milk. Instead of adding water and sugar, you’ll replace it with a can of each. Add a little water until you reach your desired consistency and enjoy over some ice! .
How To Cut a Cantaloupe
Cutting a cantaloupe for Agua De Melon is super easy.
- Start by cutting the ends.
- Remove the skin slicing from top to bottom.
- Cut in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
- Cut them in large chunks and that’s it!
? Health Benefits
Cantaloupes high water content helps ward off dehydration and combat the heat while their refreshing taste provides a guilt-free drink or snack for kids and adults alike. Cantaloupe contains an abundance of antioxidants including choline, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, all of which provide protection against a range of diseases and conditions from the common cold to cancer.
They’re high in vitamin A, vitamin c, and potassium. For more information see WebMD.
Tips & Notes
enjoy this drink
Serve with these recipes
? If you make this recipe be sure to leave a rating in the comments below. You can also tag me on Instagram at @anafriasb.?
Agua Fresca De Melon (Cantaloupe)
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 large cantaloupe (melon)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 5 cups water
- 1 lime (optional)
Instructions
- Peel the cantaloupe and remove the seeds using a spoon.1 large cantaloupe (melon)
- Cut into large chunks.
- Optional, reserve a few slices of melon and cut into small cubes to garnish your drinks with.
- In a blender, blend half of the cantaloupe with 2 cups of the water, the lime juice (if using any) and half the sugar at high speed until smooth.¾ cup sugar, 5 cups water, 1 lime (optional)
- Transfer the juice into a jar and repeat process with the other half of the cantaloupe.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with a chunk of cantaloupe, or a mint sprig, and serve.
Muy Delish Notes:
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Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
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I love this recipe!! It is the perfect refreshing drink for the heat wave here in Arizona and it’s so easy!
Thank you!!
I’m looking forward to making this recipe for my mother’s birthday party. I was going to buy the Aguas Frescas but they are very expensive to buy in large quantities. How many melons do I need for 3 gallons?
Hi Yoli! I’m so glad you decided to make it at home instead! It’s super easy and definitely much cheaper! For 3 gallons I would get about 4 to 5 melons. It depends on how big they are. Also, buy a couple extra wants if you want to keep the small cubes for garnish or just to add into the big jars.
Let me know how it goes and happy birthday to your mom! I hope you all have a blast 🙂
xo,
Ana
This Agua Fresca de melon turned out so delicious and so fresh! So easy to make too. Yummy!
Such a refreshing summertime drink! Definitely the perfect use for cantaloupe. I love how easily it all comes together.
Love this agua de melon! It’s so light and refreshing – perfect for hot days like today.
The MOST refreshing drink ever! Perfect for summer. We loved it!
With all these hot days, I needed this! It was so light and refreshing for summer. Plus, it’s super easy and quick to whip up.
This looks and sounds over the top delicious and very refreshing as well!
Thanks so much Claudia! It is very refreshing for sure. One of my favorite drinks. Have a great weekend!
LOVE the Agua De Melon! Refreshing change from syrupy summer beverages and sooo delicious!
I’m so glad you like this Melon Water Diane! Thanks so much for the review. xo, Ana
Thank you for making this melon water for us the other day! It was amazing!
It was my pleasure to have you over! I always like to spoil my guest with yummy food and drinks. So happy you liked this Agua De Melon!