Agua de Sandia (Watermelon Agua Fresca)
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on May 25, 2021, Updated Mar 18, 2025
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Nothing says summer like a refreshing glass of Agua de Sandia! This Mexican watermelon agua fresca is light, hydrating, and naturally sweet with just a hint of lime. It’s an easy-to-make, delicious alternative to sugary sodas and store-bought drinks. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just cooling off by the pool, this easy watermelon agua fresca is sure to be a hit!
What is Agua de Sandia?
Agua de Sandia literally translates to “watermelon water.” This traditional Mexican agua fresca is made by blending fresh watermelon with water and a touch of lime juice for a naturally sweet, thirst-quenching drink. Some recipes, including this one, use a small amount of sugar or simple syrup to enhance the natural fruit flavors.
Unlike heavy fruit juices, agua fresca is light and hydrating, making it the perfect summer beverage. If you love fresh, homemade drinks, be sure to try agua de pepino (cucumber agua fresca) or agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea agua fresca) next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Light & Refreshing: Unlike sugary sodas, this watermelon agua fresca is lightly sweetened and made with natural ingredients.
- Easy to Make: With just three simple ingredients—watermelon, lime juice, and sugar—you can make this drink in minutes.
- Perfect for Summer: Cool off on hot days with this hydrating, fruit-forward beverage.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness to your preference or add fun garnishes like fresh mint or Tajín.
Ingredients & Substitutions
To make this easy agua fresca de sandia, you’ll need:
- Watermelon: Choose a ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor. Look for one that feels heavy for its size, has a dull skin (not shiny), and a yellow field spot, which indicates ripeness.
- Lime Juice: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best.
- Simple Syrup: Made by dissolving sugar in water, simple syrup blends easily into the drink. You can also substitute honey or agave syrup.
The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below!
How to Make Agua de Sandia
This quick watermelon agua fresca comes together in just a few minutes!
Step 1: Make the Simple Syrup (if needed). Combine 2 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. Store extra syrup in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Step 2: Blend & Strain. Purée half of the cubed watermelon, water, and simple syrup in a blender. Strain through a coarse sieve into a large pitcher. Repeat with the remaining watermelon and water.
Step 3: Add Lime Juice & Chill. Stir in fresh lime juice and refrigerate until cold.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy. Stir before serving. Garnish with lime slices and mint, if desired.
Agua de Sandia Expert Tips & Tricks
Pick the ripest watermelon. Choose one that feels heavy, has a dull skin, and a yellow field spot. A green stem means it was picked too early, while a dry brown stem indicates ripeness.
For extra chill, serve over ice. You can also freeze watermelon cubes and use them instead of ice cubes to keep your drink cold without watering it down.
Strain for a smoother texture. If you prefer a pulp-free drink, strain the blended watermelon through a fine mesh sieve.
Make it bubbly. Mix in some sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
Turn it into a cocktail. Add a splash of tequila or mezcal for a delicious summer cocktail. Try a Frozen Watermelon Margarita, Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita, or a Watermelon Mexican Mule.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover watermelon agua fresca in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze in ice cube trays and blend later for a slushy-style drink!
Frequently Asked Questions
Agua de Sandia is made with fresh watermelon, water, lime juice, and a bit of sugar or sweetener. It’s a light and refreshing drink that highlights the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Traditional aguas frescas are made with fruit, water, and a touch of sweetener. Some popular variations include agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea) and agua de horchata (sweet rice milk).
No! Homemade agua frescas are naturally sweetened with fruit, and you can control the amount of added sugar. This agua de sandia recipe uses just a little simple syrup, but you can adjust to taste.
Absolutely! Watermelon is over 90% water, making it an excellent hydrating fruit. Blending it into agua fresca enhances the flavor while keeping the drink light and refreshing.
More Refreshing Mexican Drinks
If you tried this Agua de Sandia (Watermelon Agua Fresca) or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Agua de Sandia
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
Agua de Sandia
- 8 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
- 1/2 cup water, divided
- 3/4 cup simple syrup, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Lime slices to garnish
- Mint leaves as a garnish
Instructions
- Combine water with sugar in a saucepan heat until the sugar has melted, then remove from heat and let cool. Make simple syrup ahead of time and use after it’s cooled.
- Puree half of the cubed watermelon, water, and simple syrup in a blender. Pour through a course strainer and into a large pitcher. Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water, and simple syrup. Stir in lime juice.
- Refrigerate until very cold. Before serving stir and garnish with lime slices and mint if desired.
Notes
- Makes 2 quarts.
- Store any leftover watermelon agua fresca in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Store any extra syrup in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
This recipe is also published in the Muy Bueno cookbook
I love this recipe
This is how I make mine! I love floating some mint in it. So pretty! But why do you use 2:1 ratio of water to sugar for your simple syrup instead of the classic 1:1?
How much tequila for two quarts???
Did you want to make a big batch or make batch cocktails? I usually calculate 1 cup of agua over ice with 1 to 2 ounces tequila. 2 quarts = 8 cups, so if you want to spike it, add 1 to 2 cups to the full batch depending how strong you want it.
Where can so find those adorable drink coasters? I have to have them.
The cocktail napkins are from mesachicparties.com
Agua de sandia is the ultimate summer cooler. I’ve never tried it with a simple syrup, thanks for sharing this new addition. I must try this soon, so refreshing and Jeanine’s picutes are always a hit!
bonnie
Hola Bonnie, thanks for stopping by…we love watermelon too. I agree, it is the ultimate summer cooler. We will pass along your sweet comments to Jeanine. Happy 4th.
When I went to Mexico in 2007 I fell in love with the cuisine and especially the refreshing beverages. However I, and my fiance are diabetic. Do you have any ideas to reduce the sugar? I am wondering if anyone has made “simple syrup” with stevia. Any ideas would be grate! Karen
Karen, I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any suggestions for making this drink with any other sweetener. However, if you happen to get a really sweet watermelon or a canary watermelon, the yellow ones, which are extremely sweet, than try making it without any sweetener. Just add a little bit of water to get the blending started. Let me know how this works out.
Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Put the watermelon in the blender first, and then pour the simple syrup over that. When you plop 4 cups of watermelon into a liquid-filled blender bad things happen.
Amanda, you are so cute…I can only imagine…I hope you enjoyed a tall glass of agua after your mishap…