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Here is a very, very, very simple recipe. And yet it is totally delicious and refreshing.

Flavored waters are a staple of Mexican cuisine. On a warm day, and better on a hot one, sitting with a glass of freshly made aqua fresca can simply make a dizzy world seem calm.

As a frequent California visitor, I know the pleasure of just sitting in the shade, sipping something fruity, and getting my energy back. In the Catskills of New York, I don’t have palm trees, the humidity is higher, and I can’t hear the waves on the beach, but I can enjoy my aqua fresco.

This aqua fresca uses watermelon juice alone for the liquid. No added water, just pure, fresh watermelon juice. You can sip the watermelon juice by itself, but adding in some sugar truly brings out the flavor. By itself, pure watermelon juice is, well, watery. Some sugar adds body, adds some calories too, but it does create a beverage that you want to linger on.

There’s not a simpler recipe to make, so go for a big watermelon at your supermarket and give it a try.

Brian’s Watermelon Aqua Fresca

Yield: 10 or more servings depending on the watermelon size

Ingredients:

1 medium watermelon
Sugar syrup

Preparation:

Slice the watermelon and cut into chunks. Using about 2 cups at a time, put the chunks in a blender and process until smooth. You may have to poke the chunks a bit to get them all liquefied. Typically, 2 cups of chunks will reduce to a little over 1 cup of liquid.

As you process each batch, pour into a container with a tight lid. Refrigerate until ready to make your drink.

Shake the container vigorously before pouring. In an ice filled glass, put in 1 cup of the watermelon juice and 1/3 cup of sugar syrup. Stir to mix. Enjoy for the rest of the day.

Source: Brian O’Rourke