This refreshing agua fresca, from actor and chef Danny Trejo, stars watermelon, whirred up with sugar, lime juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper, and is topped with a cube of the fruit coated in spicy Tajín. In his cookbook “Trejo’s Catina,” Trejo says it reminds him of drinks he would buy from street carts when he was growing up in Los Angeles.
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Where to buy: Tajín is available in well-stocked supermarkets, Latin markets and online.
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Ingredients
measuring cupServings: 4 (makes 2 cups)
Directions
Time Icon Total: 15 minsStep 1
Place the 4 bite-size watermelon cubes on a plate and, if using, lightly dust them on all sides with the Tajín.
Step 2
In a blender, combine the remaining 2 cups of the watermelon, water, sugar, lime juice and cayenne and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a 1-quart container, gently pressing down with a flexible spatula to extract all of the juice. (The more you press down, the cloudier the drink will be. Discard the pulp, or use it to make smoothies.)
Step 3
To serve, pour the mixture into ice-filled rocks or favorite similar-size cocktail glasses and garnish each with a cube of watermelon.
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Nutritional Facts
Per serving (1/2 cup)
Calories
26
Fat
0 g
Saturated Fat
0 g
Carbohydrates
7 g
Sodium
0 mg
Cholesterol
0 mg
Protein
0 g
Fiber
0 g
Sugar
6 g
This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.
Adapted from “Trejo’s Cantina” by Danny Trejo (Clarkson Potter, 2023).
Tested by Ann Maloney.
Published September 5, 2023
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