Warm days make "aguas frescas" (Spanish for "fresh (cold) waters") the perfect drink. Made from fresh fruit, they are healthy and oh so good. This recipe for Watermelon Agua Fresca comes from Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta: Recipes from the World-Famous Spa by Deborah Szekely and Deborah Schneider. (A gorgeous book with great recipes by the way). I used fresh, local watermelon and made sure to use natural apple juice and frozen raspberries with no added sugars. A wonderful addition for "Simple Saturday Sippers".
Rancho La Puerta says: "Bright pink and naturally sweet, watermelon (sandia) agua fresca is hands-down the favorite in Mexico. The raspberries are an unusual addition. Garnish with a sprig of purple basil or a lavender flower."
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Cooking With the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta
(Makes 8 cups)
1 1/2 lbs seedless watermelon, rind removed, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries
1 cup fresh, unfiltered apple juice
3 Tbsp agave syrup (optional)
In a food processor, puree the first 3 ingredients until smooth (you may need to do this in batches). Taste and add some or all of the syrup if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
Notes/Results: Fruity, cold and very refreshing, this was the perfect drink for muggy day. The raspberries add a great flavor (and some added fiber), the taste of the watermelon still came through nicely and I found I needed no extra sugar. Rather than garnish with basil or lavender as suggested, I made little skewers of watermelon using my melon baller. Although I was looking for an afternoon pick-me-up and didn't add any, this would make a lovely cocktail with the some vodka or rum.
It also made a wonderful "paleta" or fruity popsicle, I just poured the extra into my molds. I did the math and for my 1/3 cup molds (without any added sugar or the alcohol of course), they are about 20 calories each--a great and healthy treat.
Happy Saturday!
Don't forget to enter to win a free cookbook in my giveaway. A copy of "The Frugal Foodie Cookbook" will be sent to one lucky winner. Find out about the book and get the details on how to enter right here.
This looks so refreshing. It has beeen so hot and humid here in New York.
ReplyDeleteI love this! It's like Tyler's watermelon nectar w/out the alcohol. So pretty and love the popsicle. I loved everyone's posts about the last chinese chef. I'm going to order a copy from amazon. Do you know the title of your next book?
ReplyDeleteThe popsicle is the most gorgeous colour! What a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of pouring this beverage into a mold for an icy treat. I should definitely do that with more drink recipes.
ReplyDeleteI am loving your photos!
ReplyDeleteThe drink looks so cool and refreshing, and what a great glass!
The popsicle too, I have to get some moulds like that.
This would be wonderful here right now, its so hot, humid and sticky in NJ. Id love one on my front porch!
ReplyDeletethis sounds perfect for this weekend! We're suppose to have muggy hot weather...and Im really liking the rum idea :)
ReplyDeleteLooks delish as usual! I haven't been doing too much reading & commenting this summer but you are still one of my favs! I have an award for you on yesterdays post.
ReplyDeletethe popsicle and sipper look reall refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThis looks terrific. I have a recipe but always like to try new ways of preparing old favorites. I hope you are having a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Deb. I am making some drinks tonight with Watermelon Juice,mint rum and soda. I like your idea of adding the raspberries, as my watermelon juice is pink not so red as the real melon. Maybe I had better run to the market.
ReplyDeleteMahalo!
Denise--it was perfect for a humid day!
ReplyDeleteKim--I hope you can join us at CTB. The next book is Peter Mayle's French Lessons.
Foodycat--the raspberries do give it a nice color.
Joanne--I know I think I am going to do it more too--I just tend to drink them before I can freeze them!
Natashya--thanks! "Goblets" are always fun to drink out of. ;-)
Donna--This is the perfect drink for steamy weather.
Danielle--Yes, I think it would be great with the rum--let me know if you try it.
Kristin--Thanks so much! I'll come over and check it out.
Kat--it was a perfect treat for a warm day.
Mary--I liked that it added the raspberries for a different spin.
Devany--it does make a nice color but your drinks sound really tasty as they are too!