Watermelon agua fresca

For the watermelon agua fresca, cut up a ripe watermelon. Trim off the rind, scoop out the red flesh and pick out the larger dark seeds so the drink does not turn bitter. Cut the flesh into large cubes and put it in the blender.

Pour in cold water and blend until smooth. Keep blending until you get a thin, deeply ruby juice with no chunks or fibers at all.

Cut the limes and squeeze out the juice. Stir it into the blended watermelon along with the sugar and mix briefly so the sugar dissolves.

Taste and adjust to the sweetness of the watermelon. If the drink is bland, add a pinch of sugar. If you want more acidity and freshness, squeeze in another lime until the flavor is nicely balanced.

Pour the liquid through a fine sieve into a large pitcher to catch the leftover flesh and seeds and get a smooth drink. Lightly press the solids left in the sieve with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.

Put the pitcher in the fridge for at least an hour so the drink is properly chilled. Before serving, stir it, add a handful of ice to the glasses, pour in the chilled watermelon water and garnish with fresh mint leaves.