Muy Bueno: Fiestas 
Agua de Melón (Melon Water)
Agua de Melón is a lovely cantaloupe flavored drink that will immediately transport you to the beach. If you are looking for a cooling, sweet beverage to quench your thirst, you’ve come to the right place!
Oh, and for all you adults out there? This recipe also makes for a mean Melon Margarita.
This delightfully refreshing recipe for Agua de Melón is from my friend Ericka’s new cookbook, which is all about two of my very favorite things during the summer: aguas frescas and paletas. With summer underway, I’m all about finding ways to cool off – especially when I get to eat or drink something delicious. Do yourself a favor and buy this amazing book!
About This Recipe
As someone who cooks for a living, it is always fun to try out new recipes. My friend Ericka, the very talented author of Nibbles and Feasts, is a great place to look for inspiration! As a fellow Latina blogger who also grew up in El Paso, her recipes speak to me. They are bright, fresh, and always delicious.
When I heard that Ericka was releasing her new cookbook, Aguas Frescas & Paletas, I couldn’t wait to try EVERYTHING. This delightful Agua de Melón is one that I keep coming back to. It is naturally sweet, perfectly refreshing, and filled with the flavor of cantaloupe.
This melon agua fresca is made with just fresh fruit, water, and some sugar. How simple is that? It also takes just a few minutes to whiz up, meaning this tasty beverage is never far from your grasp. If you’re looking for the perfect summer drink, grab your blender and meet me in the kitchen.
How to Make Cantaloupe Agua Fresca
This recipe couldn’t be easier if it tried. (More of a visual learner? Check out this video to see how simple it is to make this Agua de Melón recipe!)
Simply slice cantaloupe in half and scoop out seeds. Chop the melon and place in a blender with 2 cups of water and blend until smooth.
Pour through a course strainer and into a large pitcher or vitrolero. NOTE: Ericka’s recipe does not call for this straining step, so it is completely optional. I just prefer the texture without any pulp!
Add remaining 6 cups of water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. NOTE: You can opt to blend the remaining water with the leftover pulp to extract maximum flavor.
Serve over ice. Enjoy as is, or spike it with 1.5 ounces of tequila for each cup. Rinse, then repeat. And repeat and repeat. IT’S. SO. GOOD.
Possible Variations
While this recipe for traditional Agua de Melón is simply delicious, there are plenty of ways to customize this drink for yourself. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- try blending in extra flavor with cucumber, fresh mint, or even a chile pepper for some spice
- spike it with your favorite adult beverage – I love turning aguas frescas into quasi-margaritas with tequila, but vodka, or rum could also work! Want something a little less boozy? Try a sparkling wine floater, ginger beer, or make it into a beer cocktail!
- blend it into a smoothie using ice and frozen bananas
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Refrigerate any leftovers immediately for up to 3 days. Stir before serving as the liquid will separate over time.
Good question! Aguas frescas are non-alcoholic beverages by nature, but they are very easily spiked. This particular recipe for Agua de Melón pairs particularly well with tequila.
Cantaloupe is in peak season from June to August. For the best tasting melon, be sure to buy when it is in season!
As part of the “musk melon” family, the best way to scope out a good cantaloupe is by using your nose; the melon should give off a noticeably sweet, musky scent.
As with most other fruits, you should also seek out a melon that is heavy for its size; this means it is nice and juicy!
Finally, give it a little squeeze. A ripe cantaloupe will yield a bit under pressure from your thumb. Avoid any fruit that are too soft – they have likely begun to ferment.
Summertime aguas frescas
Check out some of my other favorite tasty aguas frescas:
- agua de pepino | cucumber
- agua de sandia | watermelon
- agua de piña | pineapple
- agua de jamaica | hibiscus
- agua de horchata | rice
If you tried this recipe for Agua de Melón (Cantaloupe Agua Fresca), please be sure to rate and review it below. And don’t forget to buy the cookbook!
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Agua de Melón (Melon Water)
Ingredients
- 1 ripe cantaloupe
- 8 cups water, divided
- 1/2 cup pure cane sugar
Instructions
- Slice cantaloupe in half and scoop out seeds. Chop melon and place in blender with 2 cups water and blend until smooth.
- Add remaining 6 cups water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Serve over ice.
- Strain for a smoother drink.
Video
Notes
- I pureed remaining 6 cups of water with pulp for maximum melon flavor, but it is not necessary.
- Refrigerate any leftovers immediately for up to 3 days. Stir before serving as the liquid will separate over time.
- For a Melon Margarita use 1 cup of Agua de Melón plus 1.5 ounces of tequila and shake and strain over ice.
Photography by Jenna Sparks / Video by Pure Cinematography
