Cantaloupe and Cucumber Aqua Fresca Recipe

This Cantaloupe and Cucumber Aqua Fresca is the perfect summer drink to serve when the temperatures rise and you want something refreshing to serve your guests!

It also can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Transfer to a large aqua fresca jar and let your guests serve themselves!

Aqua Fresca in short glass with cantaloupe and cucumber garnish

It’s a fun drink to serve for Cinco de Mayo too! You can serve it as is, or spike it with a little prosecco, vodka or tequila too!

Aqua Fresca in short glass with cantaloupe and cucumber garnish

Recipe Pairing Ideas:

Serve this with my Carne Asada Tacos and Charred Corn Salad for a fun fiesta-themed cookout. Don’t forget the Churro Sundaes for Dessert!

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Step 1: Prep the Cantaloupe

First things first, find two ripe cantaloupes! A ripe canteloupe will give your aqua fresca the best flavor and eliminate the need for adding lots of sugar.

Cantaloupes on cutting board

How do you know if a cantaloupe is ripe?

Cantaloupe should be firm and smell sweet and flavorful. If there is no fragrance to your cantaloupe, you will not have a very flavorful Aqua Fresca.

Cut and deseed both cantaloupes, then cut into one-inch chunks. 

Scooping seeds out of a cantaloupe

You’ll need about 12 cups of cut cantaloupe.

Chopped cantaloupe chunks on a cutting board

Step 2: Make the Simple Syrup

The simple syrup will add sweetness and flavor to our Aqua Frescas. A simple syrup recipe is equal parts sugar and water and is a great way to sweeten drinks. It eliminates that grainy texture that happens if you just add plain sugar which can be hard to dissolve in a cold drink. 

In a large saucepan, add water and white sugar. Simmer over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Set aside and allow to cool. 

Water poured into pitcher

Step 3: Make the Puree

Before you begin mixing everything together, you’ll need the juice of two limes. To get the most juice from your limes, roll them on a hard surface, like your countertop or cutting board, to soften up the pulp.

Rolling limes on a cutting board

Tip: If they are still too firm, pop them in the microwave for 3-5 seconds to soften them up. Works like a charm!

Putting chopped cantaloupe in blender

Now that we have all of our components ready, we can begin blending the cantaloupe, simple syrup, and lime juice. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to puree in batches. 

Blending Aqua Fresca mixture

After everything is blended, you can either strain the mixture or leave it pulpy. I choose to strain but the choice is up to you! 

Straining Aqua Fresca Mixture

Step 4: Assemble the Aqua Fresca

Now that your puree is complete, add it to an Aqua Fresca jar. I find the three-gallon size is perfect for entertaining. 

Pouring Aqua Fresca mixture into large dispenser

You’ll notice the recipe calls for 6-8 cups of water, depending on how sweet you like it. Adding more water will dilute it and make it less sweet. I prefer 7 cups of water which for me is the perfect sweetness! 

Create the Garnish

Then, peel an English cucumber at about every half inch or so, leaving “stripes” for an elegant look.   It’s such a simple thing to do but adds so much look to your garnish. 

Peeled cucumber with decorative stripe

Slice and add the cucumber to the Aqua Fresca. Place the container in the fridge overnight so all the flavors can marry.

Sliced cucumbers

When you are ready to serve, garnish the glasses with lime, a piece of cantaloupe, and cucumber!

Cucumber and melon garnish on toothpick for Aqua Fresca

If your guests like a little fizz with their drinks, add a splash of club soda to each glass or even a splash of champagne would be great too!

Aqua Fresca in short glass with cantaloupe and cucumber garnish

More Great Summer Recipes You’ll Enjoy!

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Agua Frescas in tumbler glasses with cucumber and melon garnishes

Cantaloupe and Cucumber Aqua Fresca

Yield: serves 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 30 minutes

This Cantaloupe and Cucumber Aqua Fresca is the perfect summer drink to serve when the temperatures rise and you want something refreshing to serve your guests! It also can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Transfer to a large aqua fresca jar and let your guests serve themselves!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 12 cups cantaloupe (roughly 2 cantaloupes)
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 6-8 cups of water (my favorite is 7 cups for the right sweetness)
  • 1 sliced English cucumber

Instructions

  1. Place 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a sauce pan. Simmer until sugar dissolves. Set aside to col.
  2. Meanwhile dice cantaloupe into cubes. Transfer to a blender, add lime juice, 6 cups of water to start and the simple syrup. Blender until smooth. (Depending upon size of your blender you may need to do this in batches) Taste for sweetness, add more water in 1 cup increments if too sweet.
  3. Strain if a smoother consistency is desired. Transfer to a pitcher of Aqua Fresca Jar. Add 1 sliced cucumber to float in Aqua Fresca and provide more flavor. Chill until ready to serve.
  4. To serve pour aqua fresca in a glass, garnish with a toothpick threaded with melon ball and melon chunk and a sprig of fresh mint.
  5. You can also add a splash of prosecco or champagne too!

Notes

Cantaloupe should be firm and smell sweet and flavorful. If there is no fragrance to your cantaloupe, you will not have a very flavorful Aqua Fresca! If you can't get a ripe canteloupe buy it a few days before and let it ripen on your countertop

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 93Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 97mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 20gProtein: 2g
Brownie cake scooped into a mug with ice cream

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