Melon Aqua Fresca Food

MELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• In a high-powered blender, combine the honeydew and 1 cup water and blend until completely smooth (see Cook's Note). Transfer to a pitcher and stir in the Mint Simple Syrup and lime juice. Add more water or seltzer to taste.
• In a small pot over medium heat, add the sugar and 1 cup water and cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat, add the mint and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain out the mint and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Add the watermelon, vinegar and mint to a blender and blend to combine. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a pitcher. Add the sparkling water, a pinch of salt and chili powder and ice.

WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Add the sugar and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat until the sugar is melted, then turn off the heat and let cool.
• Add the watermelon, lime zest and juice and 3 tablespoons of the cooled simple syrup to a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into 4 small glasses.
• Garnish each with a wheel of lime.

BERRY-MELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• In a blender, combine fruit and 2 cups cold water. Whirl until puréed and add sugar and lime juice to taste.
• Pour mixture through a strainer into a serving pitcher. Serve cold.

WATERMELON AQUA FRESCA

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine water, watermelon, sugar, and lime juice until smooth.
• Pour mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, forcing through most of the pulp.
• Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Serve with or without ice cubes.
• As a decorative touch, add slices or chunks of watermelon.

CHEF JOHN'S WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Scoop flesh from watermelon half and transfer watermelon to a blender. Add 2 cups cold water. Place a folded towel on blender lid and blend until liquefied, about 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove fibers. Discard fibers left in strainer. Skim and discard excess foam from juice if desired.
• Place sugar and 1/2 cup water into a saucepan over medium heat and stir until water is hot and sugar has dissolved. Turn off heat and let simple syrup cool to room temperature. Stir simple syrup into watermelon juice to taste.
• Pour drink into a 2-quart pitcher and refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour agua fresca drink over ice. Serve with straws.

WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Combine half the watermelon, half the water and half the sugar in a blender; puree.
• Pour through a coarse strainer into a large container.
• Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water and sugar.
• Stir in lime juice.
• Refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours.
• To serve, stir in club soda (or seltzer) and garnish with lime.
• MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 1, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Finely chop two cups of the watermelon, and set aside.
• Place remaining two cups watermelon in a blender; process until smooth.
• Pour pureed watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher, and discard the solids.
• Add water, sugar and lime juice; stir until sugar dissolves.
• Stir in chopped watermelon.
• Cover and chill at least one hour.