Chef John's watermelon agua fresca is refreshing, revitalizing, and restorative on a hot and humid summer day. It's one of life's drinkable pleasures!
Preparation Time
15 mins
Cooking Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Calories
177 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Pour drink into a 2-quart pitcher and refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour agua fresca drink over ice. Serve with straws.
Step 2
Scoop flesh from watermelon half and transfer to a blender with 2 cups cold water. Place a folded towel on the blender lid and blend until liquefied, about 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove fibers. Discard fibers left in the strainer. Skim and discard excess foam from the juice if desired.
Step 3
Place sugar and 1/2 cup water into a saucepan over medium heat; stir until water is hot and sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat and let simple syrup cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Stir simple syrup into watermelon juice to taste.