This refreshing watermelon and tomato agua fresca is lightly sweet, bright and made with just a handful of fresh ingredients. And don't let the tomato fool you, it adds just enough depth to balance the sweet watermelon without making the drink taste savory.
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About This Recipe
If you've never had an agua fresca before, you're in for a treat. Agua fresca, which translates to "fresh water," is a light Mexican-inspired drink made by blending fresh fruit with water, a little citrus, and just enough sweetener to let the fruit shine. It's simple, refreshing, and endlessly customizable.
This version is a little different, with the addition of a sweet yellow tomato. Tomatoes and watermelon are a classic pairing and even though you'll often find them together in salads, blending them into a drink creates the most refreshing combination in a completely unexpected way.
Because there are so few ingredients, this is the time to use the sweetest, ripest produce you can find. Peak-season watermelon and sweet tomatoes make all the difference.
And while you're firing up the grill with an agua fresca in hand, this is the perfect drink to sip alongside grilled flank steak and watermelon goat cheese salad.
📋 Ingredients
- Watermelon: Look for seedless watermelon to make the recipe easier overall. When shopping, look for a watermelon with a yellow field spot on the peel, which usually means it had plenty of time to ripen on the vine.
- Yellow or Orange Tomatoes: This is one recipe where the tomato variety really matters. Yellow and orange tomatoes are naturally sweeter, lower in acidity, and have a lighter flavor than darker red or purple tomatoes, making them the perfect match for watermelon.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice brightens all of the flavors and adds just enough acidity to balance the sweetness of the fruit. If needed, fresh lemon juice is a good substitute.
- Agave: Agave has a mild, neutral flavor that sweetens the drink without overpowering the fruit. You can also substitute:
- Homemade simple syrup
- Store-bought simple syrup
- Granulated sugar (just dissolve it in a little warm water first)
- Cold Water (not pictured): Water is what makes an agua fresca so light and refreshing. Start with the amount listed in the recipe and add a little more if you'd like a thinner consistency.
- Tajín (Optional): I love serving this drink with a Tajín-rimmed glass. The chile-lime seasoning adds a little spice, citrus, and salt that pairs perfectly with sweet watermelon.
- Don't have Tajín? Mix together a little kosher salt, lime zest, and a tiny pinch of chili powder or cayenne for a similar effect.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍋 Substitutions and Variations
- Change the Fruit: Agua Fresca works with any ripe fruit, such as pineapple, cantaloupe, or mango. Just be sure to use fruit that's ripe and sweet.
- Use Cherry Tomatoes: If you can't find yellow heirloom tomatoes, yellow or orange cherry tomatoes are an excellent substitute.
- Try a Different Sweetener: Swap the agave for simple syrup, honey, or dissolved granulated sugar. Since every watermelon is different, taste before adding more sweetener.
- Make It Sparkling: For a bubbly twist, top each glass with a splash of chilled sparkling water just before serving.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Use Cold Ingredients: For the most refreshing drink, start with chilled watermelon, tomatoes, and water.
- Taste Before Adding More Sweetener: The overall sweetness of the drink will depend on how sweet your fruit is. Start with the amount listed in the recipe, then adjust to taste as needed.
- Strain for the Smoothest Texture: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a silky, refreshing drink without any pulp.
- Make Ahead: Store the agua fresca in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mixture may separate slightly, so simply stir or shake well before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This watermelon agua fresca was made for an outdoor summer menu. Serve alongside:
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Lebanese Potato Salad
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Zarandeado (Mexican Grilled Fish)
More Drink Recipes to Try
Watermelon Tomato Agua Fresca
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups seedless watermelon cubed
- 1 medium-large yellow or orange heirloom tomato
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon Agave
For Serving
- Tajín for half-rimming the glasses
- Watermelon wedges
- Cherry tomatoes
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Add the watermelon, tomato, lime juice, agave, and cold water to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste the agua fresca and adjust sweetness, if needed.
- If preferred, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, using the back of a spoon to gently press the liquid through. Discard the solids.
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and press into Tajin.
- Fill the glasses with ice and pour the agua fresca into the glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and a small skewer of a cherry tomatoes.
Notes
- Use Cold Ingredients: For the most refreshing drink, start with chilled watermelon, tomatoes, and water.
- Taste Before Adding More Sweetener: Overall sweetness depends on how sweet your fruit is. Start with the amount listed in the recipe, then adjust to taste as needed.
- Strain for the Smoothest Texture: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a silky, refreshing drink without any pulp.
- Make Ahead: Store the agua fresca in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mixture may separate slightly, so simply stir or shake well before serving.
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