Agua De Melon (Melon Water)

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.

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).

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.

1. Start by cutting the ends.
2. Remove the skin slicing from top to bottom.
3. Cut in half and remove the seeds with a spoon.
4. 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.

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