This vibrant and refreshing watermelon agua fresca with hibiscus and lime is the ultimate summer drink! Easy to make, naturally sweet, and hydrating, it's perfect for BBQs, parties, or poolside sipping. Your new favorite way to cool off!
Refreshing Watermelon Agua Fresca with Hibiscus and Lime
Looking for the ultimate summer drink? This watermelon agua fresca is light, refreshing, and naturally hydrating—perfect for hot days, poolside lounging, or your next backyard gathering. Made with juicy watermelon, tart hibiscus tea, and a splash of lime, this vibrant agua fresca with hibiscus strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and cool.
Whether you're planning a party or just need a way to cool off, this easy agua fresca recipe is your go-to summer sipper.
What Is Agua Fresca?
Agua fresca translates to “fresh water” in Spanish. It’s a traditional Mexican beverage made by blending fresh fruit with water, a touch of sweetener, and sometimes citrus. The result? A naturally flavored, lightly sweetened drink that’s refreshing on a hot summer day.
This version of watermelon agua fresca also includes hibiscus tea (another traditional flavor for agua fresca called Agua de Jamaica) for a fun blend, giving the drink a beautiful pink hue and a subtle tartness that complements the watermelon perfectly.
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Agua Fresca
- 💧 Naturally hydrating and light
- 🍉 Uses simple, fresh ingredients
- 🧊 Served icy cold—perfect for hot weather
- 🍹 Great for parties, BBQs, or a healthy mocktail option
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Full measurements and directions are in the recipe card below.)
- Hibiscus Tea - Use 3 bags of hibiscus tea to brew a concentrated base. Hibiscus adds a naturally tart, floral flavor and deep pink color.
- Sweetener - I prefer honey for a subtle floral sweetness, but feel free to use agave, maple syrup, or stevia to make it vegan or low-sugar.
- Watermelon - Use ripe, seedless watermelon—you’ll blend some and dice the rest for infusing.
- Fresh Lime - You’ll need both lime juice and lime slices. The juice adds brightness while the slices look beautiful in the pitcher and add a slow infusion of flavor.
- Ice - Agua fresca is best served ice-cold. Crushed or cubed ice helps chill the drink.
How to Make Watermelon Agua Fresca (Step-by-Step)
1. Brew the Hibiscus Tea
Steep the hibiscus tea bags in boiling water for about 5–10 minutes. Let cool and stir in sweetener.
2. Blend the Watermelon
In a blender, combine half the chopped ripe watermelon (seedless) with the cooled hibiscus tea. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the Mixture
Pour the blended watermelon-tea mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher or jar.
4. Add Lime and Watermelon Chunks
Stir in fresh lime juice, lime slices, and extra chunks of watermelon for texture and flavor.
5. Chill
Refrigerate to let the flavors infuse and the drink cool completely.
6. Serve
Pour over a glass filled with ice, garnish with a lime wheel or watermelon wedge, and enjoy!
Variations
- Add mint or basil for a herby twist
- Make it fizzy by topping with sparkling water
- Use frozen watermelon cubes in place of ice for extra flavor without dilution
Make-Ahead & Storage
This watermelon hibiscus agua fresca can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as natural separation is normal.
Final Thoughts: The Perfect Summer Drink
This agua fresca with watermelon and hibiscus is everything you want in a summer drink—vibrant, fruity, and unbelievably refreshing. Whether you’re sipping it poolside or serving it at your next picnic, it’s a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
Make a big batch, chill it down, and get ready to fall in love with this naturally sweet, beautiful beverage.
More Summer Drink Recipes:
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Grab a watermelon and enjoy a cool and refreshing glass of watermelon agua fresca this summer.
Ingredients
- 4 cups/1 liter filtered water
- 3 hibiscus tea bags
- 2 Tablespoons/44ml raw honey (or other sweetener of choice)
- 16 oz/450g watermelon, cubed (divided use)
- 2 Tablespoons /30ml fresh lime juice
- 2 Limes thinly sliced
- Crushed ice for serving
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add tea bags, cover and steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags, then transfer mixture to a large heatproof container and stir in sweetener of choice. Chill until cold.
- In a blender combine prepared tea and half the watermelon Pulse briefly to blend then pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher or serving container. Stir in lime juice, lime slices and remaining watermelon. Chill for 4 hours over overnight.
- Before serving add ice to the pitcher or serving container and serve cold.
Notes
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan Option (use agave), Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 64Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Sheri says
What brand pitcher is that pictured? Love your clean innovative recipes by the way!