Cantaloupe-Lime Agua Fresca With Chia Seeds

A light, refreshing blender drink that is sweet and a little bit tart.

Although I make this in a blender, I think it qualifies as an agua fresca rather than a smoothie, as it is made with pure fruit, enriched with a spoonful of soaked chia seeds. 

The flavor of the drink will only be as good as your melon, so seek out the best cantaloupe, or other sweet orange melon, you can find. 

I don’t add sweetener to the drink, but you can if you think it needs a little something.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 heaping cup diced cantaloupe or other sweet orange melon (about 7 ounces)
• ½ cup fresh or commercial orange juice
• 1 tablespoon soaked chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 or 3 ice cubes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend at high speed for 1 minute. Serve at once.

NOTE

• To soak the chia seeds place in a jar or bowl and add 4 tablespoons water for every tablespoon of chia seeds. Place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The seeds and water will be become gelatinous but the smoothie you make with them will not be. To add to a smoothie, scoop up a tablespoon of the gelatinous mixture and add to the blender jar.