Name: Watermelon Agua Fresca
Yield: serves 4-5
Ingredients: 6 cups chopped watermelon; juice of 1-1/2 limes (plus wedges for garnish); 3/4 cup water; 4 sprigs fresh mint (spearmint not peppermint)

It feels like summer has officially arrived, as evidenced by the fact that I’m actively throwing deck parties! Yes! I’ve always been a nervous entertainer but throwing my Dad’s surprise party last month kind of lit a fire inside my soul and we’ve already scheduled three get-togethers over the next two months to grill and chill on the back deck.

First up is a group of girls from MOPS. I’ve mentioned a few times over the last year that I joined a Mom’s group called MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made post-baby. To have an instant connection and something in common with a big group of women is a really cool thing, and tomorrow my group table is coming over to deck sail with apps, cocktails, and this fine pitcher of pink perfection, Watermelon Agua Fresca.

Agua fresca is a cool and refreshing, non-alcoholic drink made by blending fresh fruit and water, and sometimes sugar. To celebrate the beginning of summer, aka watermelon season, I used the naturally super-sweet fruit as the base of my Watermelon Agua Fresca, which eliminated the need for added sugar, then squeezed in fresh lime juice for a touch of tartness.

Can I also tell you how amazing this drink is? Less sweet than juice, more flavor than those “hint” of xyz waters (which I just can’t get into no matter how hard I try,) Watermelon Agua Fresca is crisp and perfectly refreshing.

In addition to this Watermelon Agua Fresca being a perfect patio sipping beverage, it’d be great for baby showers, a healthier option for kids vs juice with added sugar, or for a burst of energy and hydration either before or after a hot summer workout. Let’s do this!

Start with a big ol’ watermelon. I always look for a watermelon that’s heavy for its size and has a big light-yellow spot on one side, indicating it’s been sitting in the sun ripening to pure, pink perfection.

Like this! Come on, does any sight and scent indicate summer’s here more than juicy watermelon?!

Chop the watermelon then add 6 cups of it to a blender with the juice of 1-1/2 limes and 3/4 cup water then blend until very smooth.

Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher using a spatula to help press every drop from the pulp.

Next grab some mint!

I planted a teeny tiny spearmint plant a few weeks ago and it has blossomed to almost four times its size in about as many weeks. Call me crazy but I always feel wistful snipping fresh herbs when they’ve worked so hard to grow, but the best way to make fresh herbs producer faster is to cut ’em!

Whether they’re home-grown or store-bought, spike a few sprigs of fresh mint into the watermelon agua fresca, then chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. When you’re ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice then pour!

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