Agua de Melon (Melon Water)

One of the more popular aguas frescas, this Agua de Melon is a refreshing and easy to make Mexican drink. Made with a delicious pairing of fresh cantaloupe and a touch of honey, this melon water is a lovely balance of sweetness and natural richness.

Agua de Sandia and agua de melon were the top aguas frescas my mom would make when we were growing up, and with good reason. Not only are both of these fruits some of our favorites, but they contain some of the highest water content making them an excellent choice when making these refreshing drinks.

Nowadays, my kids, husband and I enjoy all sorts of aguas, like Pineapple Agua Fresca and Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca, but the cantaloupe variety continues to be one that we enjoy the most. Plus, just like my mom did, it is one that I make quite frequently and I am excited to show you how easy it is to make.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• The Ingredients
• How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe
• How to Cut a Cantaloupe
• How to Make Melon Water
• Tips and Variations
• FAQ
• Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: This recipe just involves washing and cutting your fruit, then blending until smooth.
• Natural Ingredients: With only 3 natural ingredients - cantaloupe, honey, and water, - the pure, fresh flavors of the cantaloupe really shine through.
• Refreshing: A thirst-quenching drink that is perfect for hot summer days or whenever you're in the mood for a sweet, vibrant beverage.
• Nutritious: Cantaloupe is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants making this recipe a nutritious and hydrating choice.
• Naturally Sweetened: If you pick a ripe melon then there won't be a need to add any sweetener. However, if your melon is not very ripe then honey will add a touch of natural sweetness that perfectly complements the cantaloupe.

The Ingredients

• Cantaloupe: Choose a ripe, medium-sized melon which will result in a much richer and flavorful agua fresca.
• Water: I prefer to use filtered water to ensure a pure and crisp taste.
• Honey: As mentioned earlier, you could opt to not use any sweetener if your melon is pretty ripe. However, I think the flavors of cantaloupe and honey go extremely well together. Honey adds depth to the sweetness of the cantaloupe, resulting in a more well-rounded drink.
• Ice (optional): Ice is optional but aguas frescas are best served over ice to help maintain the refreshing temperature and add an extra touch of coldness.

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

Honeydew is another type of melon that can be used in place of cantaloupe.

You can substitute the honey for cane sugar or agave nectar.

How to Pick a Ripe Cantaloupe

A ripe melon is key as it will yield the sweetest, most flavorful results. Here are some tips on how to pick the right one:

• Choose a cantaloupe with a beige or yellowish undertone and avoid those with a green hue, as they are likely underripe.
• Smell the stem area of the cantaloupe. A sweet and fragrant scent indicates ripeness. If there is no scent or it smells unpleasant, it may not be fully ripe.
• Pick a cantaloupe that feels heavy for its size. This means it has a good amount of juice content.

How to Cut a Cantaloupe

The top thing to remember is to have a sharp knife that will easily cut through the rind. For more specifics, watch this video. Just note that I recommend leaving the seeds in as they are a great source of antioxidants and nutrients.

How to Make Melon Water

1. Prepare Cantaloupe

• Wash and cut the cantaloupe into large cubes.

2. Blend

• Add cold, filtered water to a blender.
• Place the cantaloupe pieces in the blender.
• Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth.

3. Strain

• Especially if you blended with the seeds, you'll want to strain using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining pulp or seeds that may have been left behind.
• If you're using a high-powered blender, like a Vitamix, you may not need to strain as a powerful blender will do a good job of pulverizing the seeds and melon.

4. Sweeten

• Taste.
• If a sweeter result is desired then add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and blend again.
• Taste and add more honey if needed.
• Chill and serve.

How to Serve

Pour the drink into a large pitcher or bottle and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until cold. You can also serve over ice and garnish with pieces of melon in clear glasses  so the beautiful color can be on full display.

How to Store

Store in an air-tight bottle or other container for up to 3 days. The pulp may settle at the bottom so give the bottle a quick shake before serving.

Tips and Variations

• Taste before adding the honey so you don't add too much. Start with one to two tablespoons, blend and taste. Then, add more if needed.
• I recommend blending the cantaloupe with the seeds as they are a great source of antioxidants and nutrients, but you can certainly remove them if you prefer.
• Freeze and blend the cantaloupe cubes with water to create a frosty version.
• Add fresh lime or lemon juice to add a subtle tanginess and enhance the flavors.
• You can also blend with or garnish with mint leaves for another variation.
• Refrigerate the cantaloupe before blending. This will help your agua cool down faster, decreasing the time in the refrigerator or the need for ice.

FAQ

I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch, and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.

Recipe