Melon and Basil Aguas Frescas/Cool Waters, refreshing summer drink, made with summer flavours.. Melons and Basil along with dash of lime juice.

 

Just think of how beautifully nature takes care of us . It gives us the fruits and vegetables that nourish the body as per the seasonal changes. In lot of my posts I have emphasized on about eating as per season, that's what is passed to me from my elders in family. It's officially summer in many parts of the world. When temperatures are soaring high, the heat just takes out the essential body fluids and salts and digestion goes for a toss. Summer season brings a lot of juicy and sweet fruits that keep the body hydrated and cool and active through the scorching heat.Melons, Mangoes, Litchis, Berries, Peaches etc. All fruits are juicy with maximum water content, rich in Vit. and minerals that replenish the body salts and give energy.

Melons and it's benefits..

Melons are one such fruits that have high water content, have almost zero % fats and rich in essential minerals and low in sodium. These help in body retaining it's fluid , help in weight loss, an immunity booster and keeps the cholesterol and blood sugar in control.

I and my hubby love chilled melons but the kids are not very fond of melons like muskmelon and cantaloupe. They like to eat watermelon but I always wonder why both of them do not like melons. I use melons in smoothies and fruit salads or we eat it just like that. Giving fruit juices to kids is one of the easiest and smartest way for Moms to feed fruits to kids. Blend the fruits with little or no water, and sugar if required chill and serve. Fruits popsicle and sorbet are another way that kids can have fresh natural fruits in a fun way. Shall be soon doing post on the same.

When kids come back from school serve them fruits in different ways , like in a smoothie, popsicle, fruit salads served in interesting ways and juices. This the kids do not get bore of having the same things again and again and also get something fresh and healthy to eat/drink.

This Monday's theme for my Facebook group Foodie Monday Blog Hop is #194 Summer Fruit Fest that was suggested by me. I have quite a few fruit recipes for muffins, quick breads , smoothies and salads on the blog that have summer fruits like Mangoes, Water Melons , Berries. I noticed that I do not have any on Melons. So decided to do the post on the Melon Cooler that I make for my kids.

Recently I had made Shikanji (Indian Lemonade) with basil leaves and we loved the addition of fresh basil leaves in it. I wanted to include that in my this week's theme post but then as lemons are almost available throughout the year, I decided to combine the sweet melons and basil along with a little lime juice and made this refreshing sweet Melon and Basil Summer Cooler.

My family loves the flavour of Basil. Fresh Basil Pesto is something I make often for pastas, sandwiches and pizza. Remember my Basil Pesto Paneer Tikka recipe!! and that bread recipe Basil Pesto Bread where I have used Basil pesto to flavour the bread.

Such of summer coolers where fresh fruit is blended with water, sugar and herbs like mint, thyme are known as Agua Frescas or Cool Waters or Sumer Water in Mexican. So perfect for Cinco De Mayo or hot summer afternoons. Another recipe for Agua Frescas on the blog.. Watermelon and Mint Summer Cooler. Make a batch and keep in refrigerator to chill, have it whenever you come back home.

 

 

How to make Melon and Basil Melon Cooler

Making this refreshing agua fresca/ summer cooler is very easy. Just wash, cut, peel, slice and blend the melon pieces in a blender with few basil leaves and lemon/lime juice. Add water and blender to smooth mix. I do not add sugar to it as the melons that I used were quite sweet. If you want you can add some sugar if the melons you are using are not sweet. Before serving chill it. You can add few pieces kiwi or strawberry to add some tangy taste to the cooler.

If you do not have time to munch fruits or have fussy kids, the make these kind of drinks. Try to consume the natural food, ditch the synthetic drinks and take a step towards a more healthy and fresh eating.

Do try this Melon and Basil Summer Cooler/ Agua Fresca and let me know how you liked it with Basil!!If you do not want to add basil, add Mint leaves(not too much as it may get bitter) or thyme and rosemary for different and interesting combination of flavours.

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