This summer has been unusually wet in this corner of the frontier. The sweltering temperatures, however, have been very aggravating. You know it is that time of the year when watermelon is everywhere! This fruit is omnipresent throughout the season. Which takes us to today’s recipe, Watermelon Agua Fresca (or Cocktail).
Agua Fresca is a traditional Mexican sweet and fruity soft drink. It comes in many flavors. This Watermelon Agua Fresca (or Cocktail) offers us a hard-to-beat trifecta. We can profit from all the health benefits of Watermelon as the main ingredient of this ultra refreshing beverage to beat the heat. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s delicious to boot!
I can’t think of a more summer-apt and healthier fruit than Watermelon. It is not only a cool and deliciously sweet summer treat but also boasts significant amounts of important nutrients, helps you stay hydrated and is comparatively low in calories. You can read more about all its properties here.
Furthermore, ahem, ahem! If all the above is not enough to cajole you into making this your every-cookout-and-picnic-go-to drink, you can fix a separate batch and make it a cocktail just for grownups, with the addition of two more ingredients.
Watermelon Agua Fresca (or Cocktail)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water, divided
- 1 15 lbs. Seedless watermelon
- 2 Oranges, cut in thin slices
- 3/4 cup Tequila (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 750 ml. bottle André Spumante (optional, adjust to tastel)
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup; in a small pan or saucepan bring 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to a boil, stirring constantly to ensure sugar completely dissolves. Transfer to a heatproof container and let it cool down.Scoop out the flesh of the watermelon and puree until smooth in a blender. Strain into a bowl; this can be done in advance to save time, just keep refrigerated overnight.Stirring, add the simple syrup to the strained watermelon bowl, add the tequila (if you're making a cocktail), the orange slices and the remaining 1/2 cup of water.Serve the watermelon agua fresca in glasses (you can add ice if you'd like) but leave at least an inch at the top of each glass. Top off each glass with some Spumante. This will make the agua fresca exquisitely fizzy. Also, you can save some of the orange slices and put them directly into the glasses before pouring the agua fresca.
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