Watermelon Agua Fresca

This is my all-time favorite summertime drink. When it's hot and humid and you're totally parched, there's nothing as refreshing, as revitalizing, and as restorative as ice-cold watermelon agua fresco. It's one of life's great drinkable pleasures."

 Fresh fruit drinks are very popular all over Mexico and are served from large barrel-shaped glass containers.
 Agua Fresca or Aguas de Frutas - literally translated in Spanish as "fresh water" or "fruit waters." 
 In India, this delicious watermelon drink is called Tarbooj Ka Sharbat.
Aguas frescas (Spanish or Portuguese for "fresh waters") are a combination of fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water to make light non-alcoholic beverages. They are popular in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Some of the more common flavors include tamarind, hibiscus, and agua de horchata.

Aguas frescas are sold principally by street vendors but can also be found in bodegas, restaurants and juice bars.

This wonderful Watermelon Aqua Fresca drink is a very light-bodied and very refreshing fruit drinks combined with sweetener (traditionally sugar) and water. A very refreshing and cooling summer drink and a refreshing alternative to iced tea or lemonade.

* To choose a watermelon, look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, free of bruises and cuts and creamy yellow on the side that sat on the ground as it grew. Cut watermelon can be stored, covered, in refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

** The amount of sweetener needed will vary depending on the sweetness of the fruit you are using. Some may not require any at all. Sugar substitutes may be used to reduce calories further.


Ingredients:

2 cups cold water
2 cups watermelon (rind removed)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Juice of 1/2 lime (no more than 1 tablespoon) 
4 slices lime
12 fresh mint leaves

Ice cubes or crushed ice (optional)

Method:

Cut the watermelon into roughly 1-inch cubes. If you're using other fruits, prepare them accordingly, removing seeds or skins and cutting into small pieces if necessary.

In a blender or food processor , combine water, watermelon, sugar,  until smooth.

Pour mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, forcing through most of the pulp. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with or without ice cubes.

Cut the lime slices in half. Place a half lime slice into each of  glasses along with 3 mint leaves. Crush with a cocktail muddler, then fill each glass with ice. Pour in the watermelon agua fresca, and stir before serving.

Notes:
1. Muddling mint is the process of bruising the leaves so they release their flavor.  Merely taking several stalks, mashing & twisting them between your hands will do the trick.
2. Watermelons will vary in sweetness, so the amount of sugar needed will vary with each one.
3.this drink has a different consistency & taste than our regular indian watermelon juice.