How to Make Agua de Sandía (Watermelon Agua Fresca)

Nothing says summer like some backyard grilling and a big jarra of my homemade agua de sandía. It’s light, refreshing, and made with just three ingredients!

Back in 2013, I had the unique opportunity to travel throughout Mexico and research cooking schools outside of the popular food-lover’s destination known as Oaxaca. It was in the charming city of Morelia, Michoacán that I was able to mix business with pleasure as my mom and younger sister joined me on my culinary investigation. Here, we took a private cooking class with Cynthia Martinez, chef and owner of the adorable San Miguelito restaurant. At the time, she offered cooking classes at her school, Zirita Taller de Experiencias Culinarias, one of the most beautiful cooking schools I’ve been to in Mexico.

It was on this trip that I discovered my sister Ivana’s affinity for agua de sandía (watermelon agua fresca)! Therefore, as a way to always remember our culinary adventure together, I created her favorite drink.

WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?

Agua fresca literally translates to fresh, cold, or refreshing water, but literal translations do little to describe the true essence of these fruit-forward and fun Mexican drinks. For instance, if I were to call this agua de sandia, “watermelon water,” someone might mistake it for plain water that is infused with sliced watermelon, when it’s so much more than that!

Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic drinks typically made by blending water and sugar with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some are also made with dry ingredients such as rice, tamarind pods, and hibiscus, which are Mexican pantry staples. 

If one day you find yourself in Morelia, I highly recommend that you have a meal at San Miguelito Restaurant! The room with upside-down Saint Anthony figures is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Address: Perif. Paseo de la República s/n, La Loma, 58290 Morelia, Mich., Mexico. Phone: +52 443 354 2195

Now, back to our watermelon agua fresca recipe . . .

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

All you need to make this delicious Mexican watermelon drink is: fresh watermelon, sweetener of your choice, and water!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend ingredients

• Working in batches, blend watermelon, sugar, and water on medium setting for 30 seconds.

2. Chill and enjoy

• Chill in the refrigerator or serve over plenty of ice. Garnish with fresh mint or basil leaves, if desired.
• PRO TIP: Agua de sandia is one of the only aguas frescas that doesn’t require straining, making it one of the easiest to prepare. However, if you don’t plan on drinking it within one day, I do recommend straining it to prevent it from thickening. Be sure to drink your agua de sandia within 2 days for optimal flavor and freshness.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

I have owned a Vitamix blender for nearly 25 years and it is well worth the investment, especially for making aguas frescas, smoothies, and jugo verde! VIEW PRODUCT

LOOKING FOR MORE MEXICAN DRINK RECIPES?

Here are a few of my favorite aguas frescas:

• Agua de Kiwi
• Agua de Tuna Verde (Green Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Naranja Sanguina (Blood Orange Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Avena
• Agua de Piña (Pineapple Agua Fresca)
• Mexican Limonada (Refreshing Sparkling Limeade)
• Agua de Pepino
• Agua de Melón
• Iskiate (Hydrating Chia Drink from Born to Run Book)
• Agua de Tamarindo (Mexican Tamarind Drink)
• Agua de Fresa (Strawberry Agua Fresa), Packed with Vitamin C!
• Kumquat and Carrot Agua Fresca
• Watermelon Lime Agua Fresca
• Watermelon Agua Fresca
• Té de Limón (Lemongrass Tea)

This recipe was originally published on July 15, 2015 and updated with step-by-step instructions and images on May 19, 2025.

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