Watermelon Basil Agua Fresca
serves 2-4
Meaning "fresh water" in Spanish, agua fresca is a water-based drink infused with fruit. I love basil and watermelon together. The basil-infused simple syrup gave a herbal note to the drink that really cut the sweetness and made it extra refreshing.
Read more about this recipe at Coconut & Lime.
basil simple syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup roughly chopped basil
agua fresca
1 (6-pound) seedless watermelon
1 cup cold water
Juice of 1/4 lime
1/4 cup basil simple syrup
prep: 10 minutes
total: 30 minutes, includes cooling time for the basil simple syrup
medium saucepan
strainer
ice cream scooper
food processor (or food mill)
wide wire mesh sieve
pitcher
1. For the basil simple syrup: In a medium saucepan bring water to a boil. Add the basil and immediately remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the sugar until it's completely dissolved. Once the syrup has cooled completely, strain out the basil leaves.
2. For the agua fresca: Using an ice cream scooper, scoop the watermelon directly into a food processor. (A blender won't work. If you don't have a food processor, use a food mill.) Add the basil syrup and pulse until smooth. Strain the liquid through a wide wire mesh sieve into a pitcher. Stir in the lime juice and water.
