Summer Melon Frozen Agua Fresca Mocktail
I am on quite a frozen beverage kick lately, as evident with these Frozen Pineapple Coconut Margaritas and now today’s Summer Melon Frozen Agua Fresca Mocktail recipe. And while agua frescas are usually just fruit juice, sweetener and lime over ice, I’ve taken the liberty of serving this refreshing beverage frozen style.
It’s just so dang hot down south that even a beverage with lots of ice isn’t as appealing if there’s a frozen option nearby. Add an umbrella and instantly transport yourself somewhere tropical or at least cool yourself down while watching the kiddos play in the sprinkler and pretending to help out with the grilling.
That’s when these Melon Agua Fresca Mocktails shine the brightest. Made with simple ingredients and highlighting melon season, they are thirst-quenching and unlike an alcoholic margarita, they have far less calories and are something everyone can enjoy making them perfect for family friendly outdoor gatherings. Bonus points for making them “look” just as fancy as a frozen margarita, too.
I was cruising my local Sprouts, my go source for unique produce offerings, when I spotted a display appropriately named “Melon Mania” that did not disappoint. My eyes gravitated toward a thick, green striped outer rind melon that looked a little bit like an oblong watermelon. Its name, however, was Santa Claus. With a name as intriguing as that, I needed to do more investigation.
Of no surprise, the Santa Claus melon is often called the Christmas melon or Piel de Sapo (meaning “skin of a toad” referring to its outer rind coloring) and originates from Spain. In America, they are grown in California and Arizona in the late spring and summer. The white-yellow inner flesh and sweet, mild melon flavor is similar to the honeydew melon making it perfect for pureeing and using in smoothies, cocktails and this refreshing agua fresca recipe because of how well the flesh breaks down, but also delicious in salads or appetizers left intact.
Another bonus? Santa Claus melons are long-term keepers in comparison to some other melons. The Santa Claus variety can last up to 2 months in the refrigerator. Two months, my people!
The Santa Claus is among several, close to 15 in fact, specialty varieties of melons being offered at Sprouts for a limited time.
You’ll also find these melons you may not have heard of:
Hami: Known for its floral and sweet aroma
Lemon Drop: Sweet, sour and extra juicy
Orange Honeydew: A sweet combination of cantaloupe and honeydew flavor
Summer Melon Frozen Agua Fresca Mocktail
Refreshing and made with simple ingredients,these Summer Melon Frozen Agua Fresca Mocktails are the most delicious way to beat the heat and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 medium Santa Claus melon, cut into cubes (about 3 cups)
- 2 cups cold coconut water
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1/2 cup 100% blue agave syrup
- Ice
Instructions
Cut the melon in half and remove the seeds. Cut into slices. Use knife to slice underneath, right above the rind, and then cut into cubes.
Add 3 cups of melon cubes, 2 cups cold coconut water, the
juice of two limes and 1/2 cup agave syrup to the blender. Blend until smooth and no melon chunks remain.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer and discard the melon pulp.
* At this point, you could serve over ice for a refreshing agua fresca or proceed to creating a batch of frozen mocktails.
Rinse the blender and return the melon mixture back to the blender. Add 3-4 cups of ice, depending on desired consistency.
Serve with a melon ball, slice of lime, and sprig of mint;
if desired.
And that’s what I love about Sprouts. You never know how a quick trip to grab a few things turns into a full on educational experience where you find yourself googling “what the heck is a Santa Claus melon”? And now, thanks to my nerdiness, you don’t have to google at all.
You can just grab yourself a Santa Claus melon and head home to whip up these Summer Melon Frozen Agua Fresca Mocktails. Don’t forget to grab the paper umbrellas!
