EspañolThis melon seed agua fresca has a light consistency and a strong, slightly nutty melon flavor. It will take you less than 10 minutes to prepare and you just need four ingredients.
It's one of my favorite zero-waste recipes because it's easy, fast and none of the fruit is wasted (except for the rind, of course!).
What is Melon Seed Horchata?
When we hear the word horchata, we usually think of that creamy, sweet drink made from rice, cinnamon, and milk that is so popular in Mexico.
But the term horchata is also used for aguas frescas made with seeds or nuts
I learned this as a child. When my mom said, “Let's make melon horchata,” I knew exaclty what she'd use. And this is one of the things I still love about my mom, she always finds ways to use every bit of our food.
Melon seeds, whether from cantaloupe or honeydew, are incredibly flavorful. You probably discard them most of the time before chopping the melon.
Well, today I invite you to save them in your refrigerator and use them to make this agua fresca. Let's make it together.
Preparing the Melon
Once washed and cut in half, remove the seeds along with the membrane that covers the pulp. If you're not making the agua fresca immediately, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Chop the pulp to eat it on its own, or you can also make cantaloupe agua fresca. Save the seeds for another occasion.
How to Make this Melon Seed Horchata Agua Fresca Step by Step
You'll find all the measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Blend. Place the seeds, sugar, and a little water in a blender and blend until well combined.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add the remaining water and milk (optional). Milk makes the water a little creamy but using just water is lighter. Delicious either way. Taste for sweetness and adjust the sugar if necessary.
- Serve. Store in the refrigerator or serve immediately in glasses with ice.
Silvia's Tips
- When you remove the seeds, be sure to also remove the membrane that holds them together and sits above the pulp. This membrane is extremely sweet because it's at the heart of the fruit.
- It is recommended that you drink the agua fresca the same day you prepare it because the ground seed may become slightly bitter as it settles.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Try adding a little bit of cinnamon or vanilla, this will accentuate the nutty flavor that the water naturally has. Or sprinkle ground cinnamon on top.
- Try using double the seeds (2 melons) with the same amount of water for an even more intense flavor.
- Try other melons, such as honeydews.
Storage Instructions
Unlike other aguas frescas, I do not recommend storing this one for long periods of time.
When ground, a lot of flavor is extracted from the seed, but it can also make the water a little bitter, and the longer it sits, the more bitter it can become.
Prepare it and enjoy its intense flavor immediately.
This water is ideal to drink very cold on a hot day, just like that, but also to accompany your dishes, such tacos, shrimp cocktail, or a hearty pozole
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Here you'll find many agua fresca recipes, such as mandarin orange agua fresca, lime agua fresca, strawberry agua fresca, hibiscus (Jamaica), and more.
Here’s the full recipe in case you want to print it, and a photo in case you want to save it to your Pinterest account so you can easily find it the next time you want to make it.
Melon Seed Agua Fresca Recipe
Ingredients
- The seeds and membrane of 1 cantaloupe or honeydew melon
- ¼ cup sugar or to taste
- 3.5 cups of water Up to 4 if you are not adding milk
- 1/2 cup milk optional
- Ice
Instructions
- If you already have seeds stored in the refrigerator (remember, no more than three days in it), you don't need to do anything else. But if you don't, you need to prepare the melon.
- Wash the melon rind thoroughly. Cut it in half with a knife and remove the seeds and membrane with the spoon.
- Set the rest of the melon aside to use as desired.
- Empty the seeds and membrane, along with two cups of water and the sugar into the blender.
- Blend until the seeds have disintegrated, but do not grind until they are completely pulverized; the more you grind them, the more likely it is that the water will become slightly bitter.
- Strain into a pitcher and add the two cups of water (or water and milk). Taste for sweetness and adjust if necessary.
- Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?
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