Agua Fresca
"Light, fruity, and incredibly refreshing — the drink that finally justifies buying that 5-pound bag of Costco watermelon."
The Game Plan
-
If using frozen mango, let it thaw on the counter for about 10 minutes so your blender doesn't sound like it's grinding rocks.
-
If using watermelon, cut it into chunks and remove any seeds you see. Don't stress about the small white ones.
-
Add the fruit and 2 cups of water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
-
Here's where the two paths diverge:
-
Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher.
-
Squeeze in the juice of 2 limes.
-
Add the sugar or honey and stir until dissolved. Start with less — you can always add more.
-
Taste and adjust. More lime if it's too sweet, more sweetener if the fruit wasn't at peak ripeness.
-
Add a pinch of salt if you want. It sounds weird but it makes the fruit flavor pop.
-
Serve over plenty of ice, garnished with mint leaves and a lime wheel if you're showing off.
-
For a spicy kick, add a few thin slices of jalapeño to the pitcher and let them steep for 15-20 minutes before serving. Remove them before your guests arrive unless you want to see some interesting facial expressions.
-
If serving at a party, set out the pitcher with a ladle or pour it into a dispenser with a spigot. It looks beautiful and disappears fast.
