While I ate my share of fancy food in Austin, it’s a simple food cart that has been on my mind since we left. At Veracruz All-Natural, the migas breakfast tacos were unbelievably fantastic, which makes sense since they border on legendary, but it was the watermelon agua fresca that inspired obsession.
It could have been because we had drank a good amount the night before and then walked 2 miles in 90 degree weather to the cart, but one sip of that agua fresca was enough to knock my socks off. Sadly it’s one of my biggest vacation regrets that we never made it back for a second one.
And oh, we wanted to — in fact, every other day we tried to plot a trip back to the cart. But every time something else distracted us (either in the form of brisket or beer).
To make it up to me, last weekend my husband brought me home a huge watermelon. We shared a meaningful look and then I immediately turned to google.
Happily, there’s not much to making a great agua fresca (though I still hold Veracruz’s up to level far above just ‘great’).
You need a watermelon, some sugar, water and a lime. And a blender. It’s that easy.
Homemade Watermelon Agua Fresca
Serves 2
- 2 cups cold, ripe watermelon, diced
- 1/8-1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 lime
- Ice
Put first three ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and slightly frothy. Taste for sweetness, adjust as needed. Add a generous squeeze of lime. Pour into glass with ice, garnish with lime and serve.
For a super refreshing, more “slushie” version, freeze the diced watermelon for an hour prior to blending.
Optional: Add booze! I have no doubts this would taste delicious with alcohol.
Now go forth and quench your summer thirst with the best thing possible. Or, if you are lucky enough to live in Austin, visit Veracruz All-Natural and drink one for me!
great for summer, love it!
Thanks! It really is the perfect summer drink — easy to make, totally refreshing and even better with a splash of booze. =)
It really is the perfect use for watermelon, which otherwise never really lives up to what I want it to be.
This is definitely the best way to get around a sub-par melon. The one I used was a little ‘meh’ but once it was made into an agua fresca, it was fabulous!
Definitely like! So glad we’re looking at summer again. Your watermelon drink looks like the perfect sipper for the season. And yes, I’d add a shot of vodka. Even better, St. Germain 🙂
Me too! Hooray sunshine, blue skies and yummy summer cocktails! This was great — but tonight I made it with a (generous) splash of St Germain and it was even better. Good call!
Looks refreshing! I’m with Liz. I think this is begging for a shoot of vodka
yes! absolutely! (though I tend to think almost everything is better with booze so I’m a little biased.)
This looks delightful! I like the idea of the slushie version, with frozen watermelon, even though I’m sure it bring on killer brain freeze!
It does have a tendency for brain freeze — but it will be so very worth it. I’ve already made them three times this week! I’m telling you, I’m obsessed!
Say “yes” to vodka in your agua fresca.
Done! And I have to say, while vodka was delicious, a hefty splash of St Germain was even better. A little on the sweet side (next time I’ll dial back the added sugar) but man, so good!
Thanks for checking! 😉
What a recipe! And I’m so glad you were able to recreate that first drink – that must have been so satisfying! I adore watermelon and usually devour it so quickly that there isn’t time to turn it into anything but I’d definitely make an exception for this recipe 🙂
That looks so good I want to take a bath in it!
Love the sound of this drink! I’m definitely leaning towards the ‘add booze’ option – what would you recommend?
I think vodka works great since it’s a blank canvas. I also tried St Germain and that was nice too – very flowery and refreshing. I also had a friend add tequila and he really liked it. I think many things would work in here. The liquor world is your oyster! =) Enjoy!
Fab! Well vodka is the only of those that I have in the house at the mo so I’ll try that one first…