Watermelon Agua Fresca

• 8 cups watermelon, seedless, cubed, about half of a small melon
• 2 cups cold water
• ¼ cup lime juice, about 2 limes
  Swaps for lime juice

  Instead of lime juice

  • Lemon juice: The same amount. Milder aroma; still bright.
  • Bottled lime juice: The same amount. Flatter and more sour; fine in cooked dishes.
  • Rice vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sour without the citrus aroma.

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• 2–4 tbsp sugar, or to taste
  Swaps for sugar

  Instead of sugar

  • Less sugar: Up to ¼ less in cookies, muffins and quick breads. Less browning and spread, a drier, more cake-like texture, and bakes go stale sooner.
  • Brown sugar: The same amount, packed. Moister and chewier, with a caramel flavor and darker color.
  • Coconut sugar: The same amount. Darker and caramel-like, a little less sweet; cookies spread slightly less.

  All 4 swaps for sugar

• ice, for serving
• 6 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
  Swaps for fresh mint

  Instead of mint

  • Dried mint: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried mint works in tea and some Middle Eastern dishes, not in drinks, fruit salads or garnishes.
  • Fresh basil: The same amount. Sweeter and less cooling.

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Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.