Melon Mint Agua Fresca With Lime

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 4 servings (about 6 cups)
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes (plus optional 1 hour chilling)

Quick Ingredients

• 4 cups ripe cantaloupe or honeydew, cubed and chilled
• 3 cups cold water, divided
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 3 tablespoons sugar, agave, or honey (to taste)
• 10–12 fresh mint leaves
• Pinch fine sea salt
• Ice cubes, for serving
• Extra mint, lime slices, and melon wedges, for garnish (optional)

Do This

• 1. Prep melon: Peel, seed, and cube cantaloupe or honeydew to make 4 cups; chill if possible.
• 2. Blend base: In a blender, combine melon, 2 cups water, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and salt.
• 3. Puree: Blend on high until completely smooth and the mint is finely speckled, about 30–60 seconds.
• 4. Adjust: Taste and add more sugar or lime as needed; thin with up to 1 extra cup water to your liking.
• 5. Strain (optional): Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher for a smoother drink.
• 6. Chill and serve: Chill 1 hour if you have time, then serve over ice with mint sprigs and lime slices.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Light, refreshing, and naturally fruity with a cool mint finish.
• Uses simple, everyday ingredients—mostly fresh produce.
• Ready in about 15 minutes, with no cooking required.
• Easily customizable: choose cantaloupe, honeydew, or a mix, and adjust sweetness to taste.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 ripe cantaloupe or honeydew (or half of each), fresh mint, limes
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Sugar (or agave/honey), fine sea salt, ice (from freezer), still or sparkling water

Full Ingredients

Melon-Mint Agua Fresca

• 4 cups ripe cantaloupe or honeydew melon, cubed and chilled (about 1 medium melon or 600 g flesh)
• 3 cups cold water, divided (start with 2 cups, then adjust)
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 medium limes)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, or to taste (or use agave nectar or honey)
• 10–12 fresh mint leaves (about 2 tablespoons loosely packed)
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt (about 1/16 teaspoon)

For Serving (Optional)

• 2–3 cups ice cubes
• Extra fresh mint sprigs
• Thin lime slices or wedges
• Small melon wedges or balls
• Chilled sparkling water, to top off for a fizzy version (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose and chill your melon

For the most flavorful agua fresca, start with a very ripe melon. A ripe cantaloupe should smell sweet and fragrant at the stem end and give slightly when pressed. Honeydew should feel heavy for its size and have a slight sweetness at the blossom end. If possible, refrigerate the whole melon a few hours ahead so your drink turns out extra cold and refreshing.

When you are ready to make the drink, gather your ingredients: melon, water, lime, mint, sugar, and salt. Chill a pitcher or jar if you have room in the fridge; this will help keep the finished agua fresca cold longer.

Step 2: Prep the melon

Place the melon on a stable cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice off both ends to create flat surfaces. Stand the melon upright and carefully slice down the sides, following the curve of the fruit to remove the rind. Cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

Cut the melon into 1-inch slices, then cubes. Measure out 4 cups of cubed melon and transfer it to a bowl. If time allows, pop the melon cubes into the refrigerator or freezer for 10–15 minutes to get them extra cold before blending.

Step 3: Blend the melon, mint, and lime

Add the following to a blender:

• 4 cups melon cubes
• 2 cups of the cold water
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons sugar (or your sweetener of choice)
• 10–12 fresh mint leaves
• A small pinch of fine sea salt

Blend on high until the liquid is completely smooth and the mint is finely speckled throughout, 30–60 seconds depending on the strength of your blender. If you are using honey or agave, blend a few extra seconds to make sure it fully dissolves.

Step 4: Taste and adjust sweetness and consistency

Turn off the blender and taste a spoonful of the mixture. If you prefer a sweeter drink, blend in 1–2 additional teaspoons of sugar at a time until it suits your taste. If you like it more tart, add a teaspoon or two of extra lime juice.

Check the consistency: traditional agua fresca is light and sippable, not thick like a smoothie. If it feels too dense, blend in up to 1 extra cup of cold water, a little at a time, until it reaches your preferred texture.

Step 5: Strain (optional) and chill

If you like a super-smooth, restaurant-style agua fresca, set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Pour the blended mixture through the strainer, using a spoon or spatula to stir and press the liquid through. Discard any remaining pulp in the strainer. If you enjoy a bit of natural pulp and body, you can skip straining entirely.

Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 30–60 minutes, if you have time. This allows the flavors to meld and the drink to become thoroughly chilled. If you are in a hurry, you can serve right away over plenty of ice.

Step 6: Serve over ice and garnish

To serve, fill glasses about halfway with ice cubes. Stir the agua fresca in the pitcher, then pour it over the ice. If you like a fizzy twist, fill glasses about two-thirds full with the melon-mint mixture and top off with a splash of chilled sparkling water.

Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig and a lime slice. For an extra touch, add a small wedge or ball of melon to the rim of each glass. Serve immediately while cold and refreshing.

Pro Tips

• Blend mint briefly. Mint can become bitter if over-blended. If your blender is very powerful, start by blending everything except the mint until smooth, then add the mint and blend just 5–10 seconds.
• Adjust for melon sweetness. Very ripe summer melons may need less added sugar. Start with 2 tablespoons if your melon is super sweet and add more only if needed.
• Use very cold ingredients. Chilling the melon, water, and even the glasses makes the drink more refreshing and reduces the need for extra ice that can dilute the flavor.
• Strain for a silky texture. Straining is optional but great if you are serving guests or prefer a very smooth drink with no pulp.
• Make a big batch for gatherings. You can easily double or triple this recipe; blend in batches and combine everything in a large pitcher or drink dispenser.

Variations

• Mixed Melon Agua Fresca: Use 2 cups cantaloupe and 2 cups honeydew for a beautiful color and a more complex flavor. The orange and pale green blend into a soft, pastel hue with layered sweetness.
• Sparkling Melon-Mint Spritzer: Make the recipe as directed with only 2 cups still water in the blender. When serving, pour into glasses and top each one with chilled sparkling water for a bubbly, lighter drink.
• Adults-Only Version: For a cocktail twist, add 1–1 1/2 ounces of silver tequila, rum, or vodka to each glass before topping with the melon-mint agua fresca. Stir gently and garnish generously with mint and lime.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Store leftover melon-mint agua fresca in a covered pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The mixture may separate slightly as it sits; simply stir or shake well before serving again. For best flavor and color, enjoy within the first 24 hours. Do not store with ice in the pitcher, as it will dilute the drink. If you want to prep ahead, you can cube the melon and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, then blend just before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per serving (1/4 of the recipe, made with cantaloupe and 3 tablespoons sugar): about 100 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 26 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 23 g sugars; 1 g protein; 10–15 mg sodium. Values will vary slightly depending on the sweetness of your melon and the type and amount of sweetener used.