Vegetarian Cucumber-Basil Watermelon Agua Fresca
Summer in a glass doesn't get much more refreshing than this blended drink built on ripe watermelon, cool cucumber, and fragrant fresh basil. The combination sounds unexpected, but the cucumber tones down the sweetness of the melon while the basil adds a herby, almost floral lift that makes every sip feel a little fancy. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of sea salt pull the whole thing together, sharpening the flavors in a way that plain fruit juice never quite manages. Honey keeps the sweetener completely plant-based and easy to dial up or down depending on how sweet your watermelon is. Straining the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a silky, pulp-free drink that looks gorgeous poured over ice with a sprig of basil floating on top. It's the kind of thing you'd pay too much for at a brunch spot, but it comes together in your own blender with just a handful of fresh ingredients.
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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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