Is there anything more delicious than late summer watermelon, ripened in the hot sun until juicy and fragrant? Not really, and when you find yourself wilting in the late summer heat, a cold watermelon agua fresca or icy watermelon slushie are perfect to help you cool down and relax. Adults and kids alike will love them, and it’s easy to add your own spin with extra flavorings or cantaloupe instead of watermelon.
Watermelon agua fresca
Ingredients:
4 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar (or to taste)
1 lime
24 fresh mint leaves
ice
Combine watermelon and water in a blender and puree until smooth. Add sugar to taste. Slice lime into small wedges (you’ll need about 8), then place one wedge into each serving glass, along with 3 mint leaves. Crush with a cocktail muddler (a wooden spoon handle also works), then add ice. Pour the agua fresca over the ice, stir, then serve.
Watermelon slushie
4 cups cubed seeded ripe watermelon (188 calories)
2 tablespoons sugar (32 calories)
1 tablespoon lime juice (30 calories)
About 3 cups ice
Blend the fruit, melon, sugar and juice until liquid. Add ice and continue to blend until the liquid reaches a slushie consistency.
In the whole blend there are about 250 calories.