Refreshing Beverage of the Week
In many of the local New Mexican and Mexican restaurants they make these fruit juice drinks called aguas frescas. They are made with fruit juice thinned with ice and water and a bit of citrus and sugar and they are delicious. Perfect for a hot day, but if you add a bit of rum to the experience you have created a very different animal. Great for a party! This recipe makes 1 gallon.
Ingredients
1 yellow or red watermelon (about 8 pounds), halved, rind and seeds removed, and cut into chunks
3 to 5 limes
1/4 cup to 1/2 cups sugar
ice cubes
white rum (optional)
Procedure
In a blender or food processor puree watermelon in batches. Strain the pulp through a fine mesh sieve into a 2-gallon, wide-mouthed jar. Juice and then quarter 3 limes and add to watermelon puree along with sugar. Stir well. Now add 6 cups water. Taste and make sweeter or tarter as your taste dictates. Now fill up the jar with nice fresh ice cubes. As you serve this to the adults top each glass with a splash of white rum. This also works with mango, guava, strawberry, etc., etc., etc.
