Carrageenan Free Classic Watermelon Agua Fresca
Few summer drinks are as refreshing as a tall glass of watermelon agua fresca, and this version is as pure and vibrant as it gets. Fresh watermelon, a squeeze of lime, a pinch of salt, and just enough sugar to balance the fruit — that's genuinely all it takes. Many store-bought fruit drinks and flavored beverages sneak in thickeners and stabilizers like carrageenan to extend shelf life, so making this at home means you know exactly what's going into your glass. Blending and straining the watermelon gives you a beautifully smooth, jewel-toned drink without any additives whatsoever. The lime juice brightens the natural sweetness of the melon, and that small pinch of salt does more than you'd expect — it makes the whole thing taste more intensely fruity. Serve it over ice with a lime wedge and it looks stunning, whether you're pouring it for a backyard cookout or just a quiet afternoon at home.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about ½ small watermelon)
- 1 cup cold water
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1–2 tbsp granulated sugar, or to taste
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- ice, for serving (optional)
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the watermelon cubes and cold water to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 30–45 seconds.
- 2
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Pour the blended watermelon through the strainer, pressing gently on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp left in the strainer.
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