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
We have a giant ripe watermelon on the kitchen counter right now. Guess what today’s project is?
And by the way, I love the photography here so much!
Carrie, thanks for the generous comment. Would love to know if the watermelon on your counter made it to the blender…
I wonder why we don’t get seedless watermelon here in Portugal. I guess it’s a different type of watermelon or something. Much like seedless grapes, which we don’t have either. Anyway, this seems absolutely delicious and so refreshing. Great post, as usual!
Joana, I don’t really think ours are seedless either. If you look closely they are still there, but they aren’t black. Thank you for visiting us from Portugal. Enjoy!
Watermelon should win the “most photogenic” award in the food world. This looks so refreshing and delicious! Thanks for sending along the recipe.
Lea Ann I agree, thanks for the sweet photogenic comments. Jeanine Thurston, our photography is truly amazing with her camera. Enjoy the recipe.
Agua de sandia is a staple in my house during the summer! Nice to see a different spin on the same delicious recipe! I’ll definitely try your version soon.
Maura, sandia is a staple in our home for summer too…we all love it! I love buying it at farmer’s marketsw too.
I just made agua de Sandia a few days ago for a lunch I had here at my house. SO yummy…. Your recipe is a little different… I’ll have to try it. 🙂
Hola Nicole, let us know if you try our version. Happy Summer!
Wow — yum! Great pictures, too. Especially the first one; what a lovely contrast of colors. 🙂
Aurelia, thank you!!!
Not a fan of watermelon but the photos are really pretty! Makes my mouth water!
Sujeiry, glad you like the pictures…thanks for visiting our site.
Have you ever tried yellow watermelon? It’s sweeter than regular watermelon and the sweetener might not be necessary. I love this drink during carne asadas and it also reminds me when I used to buy them from the juice vendor in Mexico. He would pour them in a plastic bag and add a popote. Ah! The good ol days. 😀
Ericka, I remember having this in Mexico on our visits too. Thanks for the popote reference totally catapulted me back in time. Veronica
I cannot wait to make this!! Sounds exactlyy what the baby wants! 😉
I ate watermelon all summer during both my pregnancies — Your baby wants this, trust me! There are many health benefits associated with watermelon and it can be very beneficial during pregnancy. Stay cool amiga! I know it’s difficult in HOT Texas. Best of luck throughout your pregnancy! Besos!
Yvette, thank you for sharing! I have been craving this (with a little vodka of course) ever since your cooking party!!
LOL Kirsten! We will be posting the adult recipe VERY soon. Glad it was memorable!