Aqua fresca means summer in my house! (it also means fruit water in Spanish)

Let’s get started: Gather your ingredients–watermelon, 4-5 limes, sugar, water.

Chop 5 cups watermelon. Seeds are fine.

Puree 5 cups watermelon, 1/2 cup sugar, one cup water. Juice limes and set aside.

Strain. You want a clear fruit “water”.

Mix in 1/3-1/2 cup lime juice and 6 cups water. Taste and add sugar and more lime to taste. (For parties with kids, I usually add another 1/4 cup of sugar.)

Enjoy!

PS: For the adults, add a splash of vodka for a refreshing summer cocktail. Or use Watermelon Aqua Fresca as a base for margaritas.

Note: This recipe is from Sunset Magazine. I’ve been using it since it was published in 2005.