This Cinco de Mayo Stir Up Agua Fresca

Saturday is Cinco de Mayo. Are you planning to cook an authentic Mexican dish? There are oodles of authentic recipes out there and surely something to satisfy everyone’s taste. Whatever you dish up, here’s a fantastic kid-friendly drink to sip alongside your meal, appetizer or dessert.

Not only is this an easy drink to whip up, it’s one that the kids can help you make. It’s also a thirst-quenching drink perfect for hot summer days (hopefully those days are not too far away. I’d settle for a glimpse of the sun right about now!). 

Thought I’ve never traveled to Mexico, it’s said that Agua Fresca (Spanish for “fresh water”) is served at roadside drink stands throughout the country. The drink is not too sweet and not too fruity, making it the perfect thirst quencher on a warm or hot day. You can switch out the watermelon for honeydew, cantaloupe, peaches or experiment with a combination. I even stumbled upon a recipe for cantaloupe with beet swirl. Check out the nutrition per cup - a better alternative to soda!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Source: Eatingwell.com

About 10 cups | Active Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 4 1/4 hours (including 4 hours chilling time)

Ingredients:

8 cups cubed seeded watermelon, (about 6 pounds with the rind), divided

1 cup water, divided

1/3 cup sugar, divided

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 liter (4 cups) club soda, or seltzer water, well chilled

Lime slices, for garnish

Note: I cut this recipe in half for a smaller crowd.

Directions:Combine half the watermelon, half the water and half the sugar in a blender; puree. Pour through a coarse strainer into a large container. Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water and sugar. Stir in lime juice. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours.To serve, stir in club soda (or seltzer) and garnish with lime.

Nutrition Per cup : 64 Calories; 0 g Fat; 0 g Sat; 0 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 16 g Carbohydrates; 1 g Protein; 1 g Fiber; 2 mg Sodium; 144 mg Potassium