Agua De Sandia - A Refreshing Watermelon Drink

In Mexico they enjoy such an abundance of rich, savory, and spicy foods that they complement them with a cadre of light refreshing drinks they call "aguas frescas" or sometimes "aguas de fruta" (literally "fruit water").  These consist of blended fresh fruits diluted with cold water and lightly sweetened.  They are delicious and remarkably refreshing.  They use many different fruits in their aguas including pineapple, passion fruit, guava, lime, cantaloupe, tamarind, tangy dried hibiscus flowers called "jamaica", and even rice with cinnamon (makes one of the most famous aguas know as "horchata".

Karen Hursh Graber, the senior food editor for Mexico's top online English Magazine Mexconnect.com gives the following background on aguas frescas:

The beverages known in Mexico as aguas frescas are an inspired compliment to the rich melding of chiles, herbs and spices found in Mexican food. They act to counter-balance strong flavors and are always light, never cloying. Aguas frescas function somewhat like sorbets, in that they refresh the palate.  Huge glass containers of these cooling drinks are found at street stands all over Mexico, their thirst-quenching contents ladled out throughout the day. A typical comida corrida - literally "meal on the run", served in most Mexican restaurants, however humble or elegant, to accomodate the traditional, large mid-day meal needs of the work force - includes a large pitcher of agua, usually using whatever fresh fruits are in season. These drinks, also known as aguas de fruta, include three essential ingredients: fruit (and sometimes flowers or seeds), water and sweetener.  Sugar is the traditional sweetener, but if you normally use sugar substitute just follow the measurements given on the package. If you are accustomed to using honey as a sweetner, mix it with a small amount of hot water before adding it to the agua, to ensure its even distribution. None of them require much sweetener per serving, since the fruit itself is sweet; the amount in each recipe can be varied according to taste. Fresh squeezed lime juice can be added to taste to any of the aguas.
Karen Hursh Graber
Senior Food Editor for Mexconnect

One of my favorites of the Mexican aguas frescas is "Agua De Sandia" made with watermelon.  It is absolutely delicious, it refreshes and hydrates like no other drink I've ever tried, and it is very nutritious.  Here are a few of the natural ingredients in watermelon and their associated health benefits:

• Vitamin A - helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant
• Vitamin C - helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy teeth and gums
• Vitamin B6 - helps brain function and helps convert protein to energy
• Lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of cancer — prostate cancer in particular.  Tomatoes have been highly touted as a great source for lycopene but watermelon actually has the highest concentrations of lycopene of any fresh fruit or vegetable
• Potassium - helps muscle and nerve function, helps maintain the body's proper electrolyte and acid-base balance, and helps lower the risk of high blood pressure.  If your little ones don't dig into their swiss chard, lima beans or spinach consider offering them a serving of watermelon instead which is a great source of potassium
• Citrulline and Arginine - amino acids which can help maintain arteries, blood flow and overall cardiovascular function

Here is how to make Agua de Sandia:

• 4 cups Watermelon
• 3 quarts Water - cold ice water is best
• 1 1/4 cup Sugar - or equivalent amounts of your favorite sweetener 
• 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

After we scoop out the inner sweetest part of the watermelon to eat we usually have a lot of the outer not-so-sweet stuff still clinging to the rind that often just goes to waste.  I take a large spoon and scrape it out all the way to the green rind.  Put 4 cups of those scrapings into a blender add just enough of the water to cover the fruit and blend it well.   Pour the blended puree through a strainer to separate the liquid from the ground up pulp and seeds (simply discard these).  Pour the liquid into a gallon-sized jug and stir in the sugar and the lemon juice.  Add the rest of the ice water and stir.  Serve chilled with lemon wedges or sprigs of mint.

This is a perfect drink to go with any meal but especially barbecue, picnics, and Mexican food.  This is also amazing for rehydration after working in the yard, jogging, or at the beach.  It's the perfect warm-weather drink.  It's so easy to make.  Try it...you'll be hooked!