Description
Mexican hibiscus watermelon agua fresca offers a refreshing summer drink blending tart flower petals with sweet melon nectar. Crimson-hued liquid promises cool relief, inviting refreshment that connects palates with traditional Latin American beverage culture.
Ingredients
Scale
Watermelon and Hibiscus:
- 5 cups (1.18 liters) chopped seedless watermelon
- ½ cup (14 grams) dried hibiscus flowers
Sweeteners and Acids:
- 3 tablespoons (37.5 grams) sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) fresh lime juice
Liquids:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) filtered water
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) filtered water
Instructions
- Craft a delicate sugar syrup by gently heating water and sugar in a saucepan, stirring until the crystals melt completely into a translucent liquid.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and infuse with dried hibiscus flowers, allowing the vibrant petals to release their rich, tangy essence for approximately 10 minutes.
- Carefully strain the aromatic hibiscus infusion, capturing only the crimson-hued syrup while discarding the spent flowers.
- Transform ripe watermelon chunks into a silky smooth puree using a high-powered blender, incorporating filtered water to achieve a fluid consistency.
- Pass the watermelon puree through a fine mesh sieve, eliminating any fibrous remnants and ensuring a velvety texture.
- Combine the strained watermelon juice in a large pitcher, blending in the cooled hibiscus syrup and additional water.
- Enliven the mixture with freshly squeezed lime juice, adjusting to personal taste preferences for a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Chill the agua fresca thoroughly in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify before serving over ice.
Notes
- Steep dried hibiscus flowers in hot sugar syrup to extract vibrant, tangy flavors that transform this classic drink.
- Blend ripe watermelon chunks with filtered water, creating a smooth, refreshing base that captures summer’s sweetness.
- Chill the mixture thoroughly, allowing the hibiscus and watermelon to meld into a cooling, aromatic beverage perfect for hot days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 62
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg