EspañolCantaloupe agua fresca, or “agua de melón,“ is a popular Mexican beverage perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. Enjoy it in no time with just a few simple ingredients and these easy-to-follow steps. Let´s go!
Melons in Mexico
When we hear the word melon, most Mexicans think cantaloupe; it wasn’t until I moved to California 22 years ago that I discovered the delicious, sweet fruit honeydew and other types of melons.
Like other aguas frescas, this cantaloupe beverage is very popular for its simplicity and natural flavors. It's the perfect summer refresher and a great way to add more fruit to our diets. Seen at street markets, family celebrations, and community festivities throughout Mexico, it's the perfect beverage to serve with Mexican food, of course! Try at home this summer.
Selecting the Perfect Cantaloupe
As our principal ingredient, choosing a ripe melon is important. Look for these things:
- It feels heavy for its size, which usually means it has a lot of juice.
- Smell it. It should have a sweet aroma at the stem end.
- The skin should have a golden hue and be free of bruises or soft spots.
Variations
Here are some variations and tips to take this refreshing drink to the next level.
- Add a zesty kick. Some fresh lime juice or lemon juice will complement the flavor and sweetness.
- Add fresh fruit. Try a few pineapple chunks for a tropical flare or orange and mandarines for a citrus touch.
When serving, add some spice by sprinkling chili powder or cayenne pepper. You can also infuse it with fresh herbs like mint or spearmint.
Storage
If you have leftovers, cover the pitcher or transfer to an airtight container to keep fresh. You can place the container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Remember to stir the agua fresca before serving.
This delicious agua fresca is also freezable. Pour leftovers into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them into freezer-safe bags.
When you want to drink it, you can either thaw the cubes overnight in the fridge or leave them out to thaw at room temperature.
Try other Mexican Aguas Frescas
Agua fresca literally translates to fresh water, and there are many popular Mexican drinks created with fruit, grains, flowers, and vegetables. Like agua de jamaica and strawberry agua fresca.
Visit our Aguas Frescas roundup where you'll find recipes with a variety of fruits, flowers, and grains, such as agua de jamaica, horchata, lemon water and more. Try them all!
Now, let’s make it!
Cantaloupe Agua Fresca Recipe
Makes 10 cups
Ingredients
- 1 ripe cantaloupe (approx 2 lb)
- 6 cups of water
- ½ cup of sugar or other sweetener of your choice to taste
- Ice, optional
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Spoon
- Blender
- A large pitcher
Process
Prepping the cantaloupe
Start by washing the melon thoroughly under running water to remove dirt from the skin. Then, dry it out and place it on a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the cantaloupe in half lengthwise and scoop the seeds from the center using a spoon. Don’t throw the seeds away; you can actually make another popular drink with them: cantaloupe horchata.
Take one of the halves and cut it into 2-3 slices. Take one of the slices and carefully, with the knife, separate the skin from the flesh. Repeat until you have removed the skin from all slices.
Blending the Fruit
Cut the flesh into chunks and place it in the blender (keep some if you want to garnish your glasses). Add the sugar and 2-3 cups of the water. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to do this in two batches.
Blend at high speed until you achieve a smooth consistency.
One note about sweetening this agua fresca: The sweetener we use enhances the natural sweetness of the cantaloupe, so I suggest trying the melon before blending. A little sugar can go a long way if the fresh cantaloupe is unbelievably sweet; I usually cut the sugar in half and adjust it at the end if needed. If the melon is less sweet, I use the whole amount.
You can also use other sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, simple syrup, and monk fruit. Adjust the amount based on your taste preference.
Transfer the mixture to a pitcher, pour the rest of the water, and stir.
Chilling and serving
Chilling this delicious drink will further enhance its thirst-quenching abilities. I recommend refrigerating it for at least an hour. If you wish to serve it immediately, place a few ice cubes in the glasses and pour.
When it's time to serve it, stir the cantaloupe agua fresca again to ensure the ingredients are well combined, as the melon pulp tends to float and pour into glasses filled with ice for an extra refreshing touch.
Garnish with a mint sprig or a piece of cantaloupe on the rim (if you reserved a few).
Enjoy!
This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or other stores, which we add to save you time looking for things you may need. If you use these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read our privacy policy.
Print the Cantaloupe Agua Fresca Recipe Below
Cantaloupe Agua Fresca Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ripe cantaloupe approx 2 lb
- 6 cups of water
- ½ cup of sugar or other sweetener of your choice to taste
- Ice optional
Utensilios
- Spoon
- A large pitcher
Instructions
Prepping the cantaloupe
- Start by washing the melon thoroughly under running water to remove dirt from the skin. Then, dry it out and place it on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the cantaloupe in half lengthwise and scoop the seeds from the center using a spoon. Don’t throw the seeds away; you can actually make another popular drink with them: cantaloupe horchata.
- Take one of the halves and cut it into 2-3 slices. Take one of the slices and carefully, with the knife, separate the skin from the flesh. Repeat until you have removed the skin from all slices.
Blending the Fruit
- Cut the flesh into chunks and place it in the blender (keep some if you want to garnish your glasses). Add the sugar and 2-3 cups of the water. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to do this in two batches.
- Blend at high speed until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- One note about sweetening this agua fresca: The sweetener we use enhances the natural sweetness of the cantaloupe, so I suggest trying the melon before blending. A little sugar can go a long way if the fresh cantaloupe is unbelievably sweet; I usually cut the sugar in half and adjust it at the end if needed. If the melon is less sweet, I use the whole amount.
- You can also use other sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, simple syrup, and monk fruit. Adjust the amount based on your taste preference.
- Transfer the mixture to a pitcher, pour the rest of the water, and stir.
Chilling and serving
- Chilling this delicious drink will further enhance its thirst-quenching abilities. I recommend refrigerating it for at least an hour. If you wish to serve it immediately, place a few ice cubes in the glasses and pour.
- When it's time to serve it, stir the cantaloupe agua fresca again to ensure the ingredients are well combined, as the melon pulp tends to float and pour into glasses filled with ice for an extra refreshing touch.
- Garnish with a mint sprig or a piece of cantaloupe on the rim (if you reserved a few).
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @mamalatina on Instagram and hashtag it #mamalatinatips
- Creamy Coffee Flan Recipe - May 14, 2024
- Cantaloupe Agua Fresca Recipe - April 30, 2024
- Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe (Agua de Piña) - April 27, 2024
