Gut Friendly Cucumber-Basil Watermelon Agua Fresca
Few drinks are as genuinely refreshing as a well-made agua fresca, and this cucumber-basil version with watermelon is the kind of thing you'll want to keep in the fridge all week. Watermelon and cucumber are both high in water content and naturally gentle on digestion, making this a smart choice when you're focused on keeping your gut happy. Fresh basil adds a subtle herbal note that elevates the whole drink beyond a simple fruit blend, while lime juice and a touch of honey bring just the right balance of tart and sweet. Straining the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve removes the pulp and fiber that can sometimes cause discomfort, leaving you with a silky-smooth drink that's easy on your system without sacrificing any of the flavor. A small pinch of sea salt rounds everything out and helps with hydration, which is a quiet but important bonus. It comes together in minutes with nothing more than a blender and a pitcher, and the result looks stunning over ice with a sprig of basil tucked in the glass.
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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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