Mexican Cantaloupe Water

I have had agua frescas in Mexico several times. It is the best natural thirst quencher. Fortunately our local farmers market has a stand with an amazing variety of agua frescas. By the end of the summer, we have usually tried them all. Agua fresca is very easy to make, if you have a blender and you can use almost any kind of fruits. You don’t have to add sweetener, but once in a while I like to add a little agave nectar.  The recipe is adapted from Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Special equipment: blender

• 4 cups / 1 liter of water
• 1/2 cantaloupe, medium sized
• 1/4 cup / 60 ml agave nectar
• juice of 1 lime
• 1 lime cut in slices, optional

1. Cut the peel off the halved cantaloupe and discard the peel.
2. Cut the melon incl. the seeds into chunks and put in blender with the water.
3. Blend for a couple of minutes, strain drink through a sieve, then discard the seed pieces.
4. Add the lime juice and agave nectar and stir.
5. Serve over ice cubes.

Makes 5 cups / 1.2 liter