A popular summertime drink in Mexico and Central America, agua frescas are refreshing, non-alcoholic and easy to make.You can make them with a variety of fruits, but watermelon and cantaloupe are two popular choices.You just need a bit of fruit, a sweetener and a blender.
Step 1: The watermelon should be cut in half.
The best way to split watermelon is with a large chef's knife.If you save one of the halves, you'll get about 6-7 cups of usable melon scoops.You can slice the watermelon into pieces by cutting off the rind and cutting it into rounds.If you want to make cantaloupe agua Fresca, you can slice a cantaloupe in half and remove the seeds from one half.Throw the chunks into the blender.
Step 2: The fruit should be tasted for its sweet taste.
Take a sample of the fruit and see how sweet it is.This can show you how much sugar syrup you want to add.There is no magic amount of sweetness.The darker the inside of a watermelon is, the sweeter it is.
Step 3: Use a spoon to scoop the insides of the watermelon.
As you get close to the rind, use your spoon to remove as much of the melon as you can.You don't want the white rind, but the red and pink parts are great.
Step 4: Put 2 cups (0.47 L) of cold water into the blender and blend it for a minute.
For the first 30 seconds, blend on a lower speed and then move to a higher speed for the rest of the time.Agua Fresca is not meant to be a smoothie or a fruit juice.It is supposed to look watery.If you are worried about the blender spraying, hold a towel over it.
Step 5: The juice can be run through a strainer.
If you want to remove the seed fibers from the fruit liquid, pour the mixture through a strainer.The liquid will leave a mush of fibers in the strainer.You won't be needing it so go ahead and discard it.It is acceptable to not strain the juice.Some people like the taste of the drink.
Step 6: You can make a sugar syrup by heating water and sugar.
In a saucepan, mix 1/2 cup (50 g) of white sugar with a cup of water.When the sugar is completely dissolved, you have a clear mixture.Let it cool to room temperature.
Step 7: You can add the sugar syrup to the fruit juice to make it taste better.
If you want to taste the syrup after each addition, add in the little bits at a time.If it is sufficiently sweet, add the syrup and discard the rest.
Step 8: The drink should be served cold with lemon, lime, or mint.
If you want to chill your drink, put it in the fridge for at least an hour.To add a kick to the flavor, add fresh mint leaves or a slice of lemon/lime.The frescas can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.