Cuando hace calor -- Hace Agua Fresca!

When it's hot, make Agua Fresca!

There is a Mexican tradition of flavored water made from freshly pureed fruit, water, and perhaps a bit of sweetening -- agua fresca.

I saw this recipe on Lovesown a week or two ago.  It is so refreshing, and what a good way to use up those cukes that, um, got a bit past their prime in the refrigerator while hiding behind the past week's produce.

Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca:  a couple of cukes chunked up, a half cup of fresh mint (I used a combo of regular, chocolate, and pineapple mint from my garden), a half cup of sugar, a half cup of lime juice, and 1 1/4 cup of water (a white wine or other alcohol could stand in for part of the water).  Whiz it in the blender until liquified, then put it through a sieve.

ready to blend

blended

poured into a sieve

pressing the pulp

So good and refreshing!  I took the pulp left in the sieve, and chopped up a bit of red onion, some jalapeno, added some salt and it made a very nice salsa -- a sweet salsa with spicy notes, kind of like the mango or peach salsa that is sold.  Actually, with the tortilla chips it made me think of an edible margarita.

linking up with Tuesday Garden Party