A Rainbow of Agua Fresca

There really isn’t anything better than biting into fresh summer fruit. Actually, I take that back — there is something better, and that something is agua fresca. The drink, made popular throughout Mexico and Central America, is simple: Purée fresh fruit with a little sugar and water along with a squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice for a tart kick.

The result is something that’s even more refreshing and satisfying than the juicy fruit on its own, and the array of beautiful colors of juice you can whip up is astounding.

Whatever color of the rainbow you crave, there’s an agua fresca for you. And whipping one up happens to be ridiculously simple, so no need to sweat it out when you’re already sweating from the summer heat. Toss your fruit of choice and a few other ingredients in a blender, purée, and sip for instant refreshment.

1 cup diced fruit + 1/2 cup water + pinch of sugar + 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender; purée until smooth. Strain liquid into an ice-filled cup. Top with 1/2 cup more water.

Like your favorite red popsicle from childhood except much, much better. Purée 1/2 cup pitted cherries and 1/2 cup diced strawberries together with water, sugar, and lime juice.

When mango and peach join forces, you know they can do no wrong. Blend 1/2 cup diced mango and 1/2 cup diced peach plus water, sugar, and lemon juice and sip away.

This is how you whisk yourself to a tropical island without buying a plane ticket. Combine 1 cup diced pineapple with water, sugar, and lime juice for a liquid vacation.

Kiwi just doesn’t get enough playtime, but it’s green, sweet, juicy, and plays well with cooling honeydew. Combine 1/2 cup diced kiwi and 1/2 cup diced honeydew melon with water, sugar, and lime juice.

Juicy berries are the secret to one seriously purple agua fresca. Blend 1/2 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup blackberries with water, sugar, and lemon juice and grab a straw.

Pink might not actually be part of the rainbow, but we all know it should be. Combine 1/2 cup diced watermelon with water, sugar, and lime juice for pure summer bliss in liquid form.