Agua Fresca de Sandía (Watermelon Agua Fresca)
A jug of cold, pink watermelon water with lime and mint, the classic Mexican street drink for hot days.
Made with Agua fresca syrup. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time10 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.61 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make your agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) in advance and chill it.
- 2
Pour 200 ml of the ready made agua fresca syrup (see the base recipe) into a large jug and stir in the cold water.
- 3
Add the lime juice and mint leaves and stir well. Taste and add more water or syrup to suit.
- 4
Put a handful of watermelon cubes and ice in each glass and pour over the agua fresca.
- 5
Serve straight away with an extra sprig of mint.
Tips
- Use fully ripe watermelon that sounds hollow when tapped. The riper it is, the less syrup you need.
- Add the syrup to cold water gradually and taste as you go. It should be fruity and refreshing, not syrupy.
- Add the ice only to the glasses, not the jug, so the drink does not get watery.
- Mint, thin cucumber slices or a pinch of salt each lift the flavour.
Storing and freezing
Best made fresh. Keep any mixed jug covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours and stir before pouring.
Questions
How much agua fresca syrup should I use for a jug?
About 200 ml of syrup to 800 ml of cold water gives 4 servings. Taste and adjust, adding more water if too sweet or more syrup for a stronger flavour.
Can I use sparkling water?
Yes. Sparkling water makes a lighter, fizzy version. Add it to the glass at the last moment so the bubbles stay.
Is it vegan?
Yes. The ingredients are fruit syrup, water, lime and mint, so it is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free.
More made with agua fresca syrup
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.