I’m still battling it out.

Derby or Cinco de Mayo?

Bourbon or Tequila?

Mint or limes?

Okay let’s do both. The mint and the limes, I mean.

A common question I get asked is how one can make my margaritas and mojitos into versions that are nonalcoholic. I think most beverages can be handled with a glug of bubbly club soda in lieu of the booze, but agua fresca can also be a thing. It’s fruity water. Fruity, delicious water. That everyone can enjoy!

I find agua fresca to be insanely refreshing, which is probably it’s purpose or something. The mint and the limes add the perfect little kick and since it’s made with fruit, it’s healthy. You are drinking your nutrients, people. Get down with it.

Watermelon juice. !!!!

Also, pureeing the heck out of that watermelon brought me back to the summer that I made watermelon soda floats. I am devastatingly annoyed that I haven’t made those recently. Now THAT’s a thing.

Why am I not doing that right this instant?

Even though Cinco de Mayo is winning today, I’m desperate to have a very large combined Cinco/Derby party. But all of my invisible internet friends would have to come because um, I don’t have that many non-invisible friends.

I guess that’s what happens when you bake cookies for someone on another side of a screen.

And although I’m showing you two ways to make agua fresca, there really are a bunch of ways. I’m doing blueberry next. I think I’m even going to try raspberry, because getting rid of those dumb little seeds and keeping the flavor makes me jump for joy. Obviously strawberry. And maybe even pomegranate, though that would be a pain in the you know what.

Kiwi is getting a big dose of me later this week too. I’m coming for you, kiwi.

Anyhoo. Here are my important keys to enjoying this pretty liquid:

It’s gotta be COLD. It looks super cute in one of those tabletop drink dispenser like things. Do you know what I’m talking about? They have a little spout on them. You can find some for $25 or less and man… now that is an investment.

Perhaps I can give you some financial portfolio advice after this.

It’s gotta be fruity but not too sweet. And you know I have some darn sweet teeth. It’s not meant to be a juice though, so there is a fine line you gotta walk with the sugar. The annoying (or fun) part is that almost every batch you make will be different – all based on the sweetness of the fruit you chose that day. So… just taste a lot. You may not even need to add any sugar if it’s sweet enough to your liking. Crazy. I know.

Oh and I just have to say that I think this is the perfect summer drank. We already went over the refreshing part, but it’s less sugary than lemonade which means you can eat extra chips and salsa and cookies. Life laws!

Watermelon + Mango Agua Fresca

Yield: 2 each flavor serves about 4
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Ingredients

watermelon agua fresca

  • 1/2 watermelon, seeded and cubed (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 limes, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • fresh mint

mango agua fresca

  • 2 ripe mangos, peeled and cubed
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 limes, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • fresh mint

Instructions 

watermelon agua fresca

  • Add watermelon to a blender and blend until completely pureed. Using a fine mesh sieve, pour puree through into a large bowl or measuring cup, using a spoon to press the last of the liquid out when you get to the end. Combine watermelon juice, water, lime juice and sugar in a large pitcher. Taste and add more sugar if needed. You can also stir in some fresh mint leaves (or just garnish the drinks with them) for taste. Chill until cold.

mango agua fresca

  • Add mango cubes and 1 cup of water to the blender, pureeing until smooth. Pour the mixture through the fine mesh sieve, using a spoon to press the last of the liquid out at the end. Combine mango, remaining water, lime juice and sugar in a large pitcher. Taste and add more sugar if needed. You can also stir in some fresh mint leaves (or just garnish the drinks with them) for taste. Chill until cold.

Notes

[adapted from food network]
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
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And finally. I think you can add some tequila here if you’d like. Or rum. Vodka even. Whatever kind of freaky stuff you’re into.