Gelatin Free Cucumber-Basil Watermelon Agua Fresca
Summer in a glass doesn't get much more refreshing than this blended watermelon drink brightened with cool cucumber, fragrant basil, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Every ingredient here is whole and plant-based — watermelon, cucumber, basil, honey, lime juice, salt, and water — so there's absolutely nothing to second-guess when it comes to hidden additives or thickeners. That matters more than people realize, because plenty of store-bought fruit drinks and flavored beverages sneak in stabilizers that aren't always obvious on the label. Here, you blend everything yourself and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, which gives you a beautifully clear, silky liquid with zero mystery ingredients. The honey adds just enough sweetness to let the fruit shine, while the basil brings an herby, almost floral note that makes this feel a little more special than your average fruit drink. It's endlessly adjustable — taste as you go and dial up the lime or honey until it's exactly right for you. Serve it over ice with a sprig of basil on top and it looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about ½ small watermelon)
- 1 medium english cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1–2 tbsp honey, or to taste
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh basil sprigs or thin cucumber slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the watermelon cubes, chopped cucumber, basil leaves, lime juice, honey, salt, and cold water to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 45–60 seconds.
- 2
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Pour the blended mixture through the strainer in batches, pressing gently on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
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