Watermelon Agua Fresca

Agua Fresca is like a party in my mouth. It makes a super refreshing nonalcoholic drink and is absolutely AMAZING with a little splash of vodka so to me it’s the perfect summer party drink. I love serving it up in a festive glass pitcher with plenty of mason jar glasses to boot. This sweetly pink drink was the perfect addition to celebrate our play group’s newest additions.

1 large seedless watermelon cut into small chunks

3 C water

3 Limes, juiced

½ tsp Salt

2-3 bottles of seltzer or sparkling water

Garnish: additional wedges or slices of lime

The real way to do this is to puree batches of melon in a blender or food processor with water as needed and then drain it through a cheese cloth or a mesh strainer which you then squeeze out to ensure you get all the liquid. My thicker but way easier way of doing it is to puree about ¼ of the melon with the water and then just soak the rest of the fruit in the juice liquid in a covered pyrex overnight. As the watermelon breaks down it makes more juice on its own to make the watermelon concentrate. The next day you add the lime juice and salt to the liquid and pour it and fruit chunks into pitchers. Add the sparkling water and stir. Any additional chunks I throw into the freezer to use as ice cubes later. Serve over ice with chunks of watermelon and a slice of lime.