Name: Watermelon-Lime Agua Fresca
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: MexicanLatin America & Caribbean
Ingredients: 8 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 cups water; 1/4 cup lime juice (2 limes), plus extra for seasoning; 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey, plus extra for seasoning; 1/8 teaspoon salt; Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Why This Recipe Works

Agua fresca means “fresh water” and is the catchall term for a variety of beverages made by combining fruits, grains, seeds, or flowers with sugar and water. To make a watermelon version, we whiz chunks of melon with water in a blender and strain out the pulp before accenting the mixture with lime juice, agave nectar, and a pinch of salt to bring out the sweet and tart flavors.

Before You Begin

Watermelons vary in sweetness. Adjust the amounts of lime juice and sweetener to your taste.

Instructions

Working in 2 batches, process watermelon and water in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer into 2-quart pitcher; discard solids. Stir in lime juice, agave, and salt. Season with extra lime juice and extra agave to taste. Serve over ice, garnished with mint, if using. (Agua fresca can be refrigerated for up to 5 days; stir to recombine before serving.)