What is Aqua Fresca?

Agua fresca (which translates to 'fresh water') is a non-alcholic drink that's popular in Mexico and Central America. It can be made with fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, flowers (such as Hibiscus), and herbs.

It's made of natural ingredients making it a better choice than something like soda (with artificial flavors, colors and lots of high fructose corn syrup).

This tasty drink can be served filtered or with the fruit pulp, though I recommend without unless you want it more like a smoothie.

What does it taste like?

Aqua fresca tastes like fruit juice but lighter. It has a nice little pop of sweetness and added vibrance from the citrus.

You'll find it's very quick and easy to make and it's something everyone will enjoy, especially on a hot day!

I know this Melon and Pineapple Fruit Salad with Honey, Lime, and Mint Dressing is pretty much skipping a season, but I couldn't resist. When you get pineapple for .99 cents, it only makes sense to spend $10 more and make a fruit salad. This is the perfect summer fruit salad, and if you can find good melons right now, it also makes the perfect spring fruit salad. All of the fruit I got was actually really sweet and delicious.

If you find a cheap pineapple but need more protein, try these Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs, with green bell pepper, onion, and a brush of olive oil.

Kitchen Tools

Almost anyone can successfully make a good summer melon salad with minimal kitchen tools. You really only need a large bowl and a knife! Slice the fruit into sizes you like best. If you have a melon baller, I think some rounded fruit shapes can add fun visual interest.

Hello, summer/hello popsicle and ice cream season! At long last, I'm finally getting into the whole popsicle thing. I've always been more hooked on ice cream, but then I realized how incredibly awesome you can make popsicles on a hot summer day. This summer, I'll be making popsicles all the time and not just at my kids' request. The flavor possibilities and combinations are as endless as the ingredients in your fridge!

Homemade Watermelon Popsicles

I absolutely love these layered Watermelon Popsicles, as did my kids! They are made with mostly fruit, a few chocolate chips, and then the white portion is coconut milk. So as long as you use good, ripe fruit, the flavors will be utterly delicious and irresistibly refreshing. If you don't have enough ripe watermelon or your watermelon puree isn't as pink as you want, you can also add red berries like strawberries or raspberries to the watermelon mixture. I also like to add fresh mint leaves or fresh lime juice to the watermelon—the best flavor combination!

Layered Fruit Pops

I made this watermelon popsicle recipe a few times, trying to find the best way to keep the layers from blending, but you'll probably always find just a little bit, even if you are keeping the sides very clean.

Another thing that will likely be hard to avoid is that some will be more "water-logged" than others (as in some of them will have a little separation on the bottom because of the high concentration of water in watermelon) leaving a lighter portion on top of a few of them, but they will still taste just as delicious - it's just watermelon juice.

If you'd like, you could also cut up little raisins to use for the seeds, but I always love a little chocolate if you don't mind the added sugar. Honey, agave, or maple syrup can also help with the sweetness if you don't want to add refined sugar.

Full fat coconut milk is the best choice for creamy watermelon popsicles. Light coconut milk would probably work fine too; it won't be quite as white and not quite as creamy, but should still be delicious. Sticking with coconut milk makes these a good vegan dessert, but if you're ok with dairy, you can also use Greek yogurt.

Summer is in the air. Okay not quite, it’s been raining practically every day where I live but it’s getting closer! Closer to watermelon season, ice cold lemonade, fresh corn on the cob, an overload of fresh berries, and of course plenty of summer sunshine. And I couldn’t be more ready for it this year!

Watermelon Feta Orzo Salad

This week you may likely be planning the Memorial Day menu. The first on this list should be this Watermelon Orzo Feta Salad! It is probably the most refreshing salad I’ve ever had and it will be one of my go-to summer salads from now on. It has the perfect blend of summery flavors. You get the mellow sweetness from the watermelon, paired with the tart of the lemon and the tang and saltiness of the feta and you get an abundance of freshness from the generous amount of basil. If you still feel it's too sweet, don't be scared to sprinkle a little fresh black pepper—it's amazing. Let’s just say I ate my fair share and I can’t wait to make it again!

Watermelon isn’t just for snacking. It may not be packed with bold flavors but it has got to be one of the most refreshing fruits, and when you pair it with the right ingredients you can create something worth remembering. (Speaking of ingredients, you might also like adding diced cucumber or finely chopped red onions to this orzo pasta salad!) When it comes to feta, I recommend using the Greek varieties (as opposed to the French feta, which is more creamy and less salty).

My new favorite summer drink right here! I'm not ever big on drinks because I'd rather get my sugar from a decadent dessert but this is my new exception! It is totally irresistible and the watermelon and lemon flavor combination pairs perfectly together.

Today I went on a gorgeous hike with my brother and I brought this Watermelon Lemonade along. Even though it was an easy hike it was a long hike for me because due to this lame permanent hip injury, I went from exercising 6 days a week to exercising 0 days a week for the last year and a half. But, I made it through the 7-mile hike thanks to this drink :). The thought of getting another sip of this kept me going. Ah and how refreshing it was to guzzle this drink down on a warm day! It has the perfect amount of sweet and tart, and a delicious depth of mellow watermelon flavor.

I could live on this drink this summer! I'm totally in love with it and when you use a good watermelon it just makes it that much better! Now if only I could learn how to pick the perfect watermelon every single time. It's like with cantaloupe and avocados, if only I could just see what's inside before making my selection. I follow the recommended tips but still sometimes end up with duds. Luck of the draw right? Lemons are a little more reliable—just choose large lemons to get more juice.

(In a pinch, you can buy watermelon juice—especially when it's not watermelon season!)