Last year I worked part-time as a summer camp Spanish teacher in New York City. The days were mostly spent taking the kids to nearby parks, and getting them to play and interact in Spanish. If you've ever been to the Big Apple in the summer, you know that spending a long time under the sun in the middle of the day can be mortal. By the end of the work day (which was really only 3 p.m.), I was usually drained, dehydrated, and ready for a nap in an air-conditioned room.
One day, as I was walking toward the subway to head back home, I made a pit stop at the grocery store to buy myself something refreshing to drink. For the past couple of years, I've been really into coconut water or maple water when I'm thirsty and want to cool down a bit, but a bright red colored juice caught my attention this time. Watermelon, beet, and lime juice, it read. Just what I needed.
All I have to say that after that first taste, I started looking for this same juice wherever I went. And whenever I'm at a store and I see it, I simply need to get it.
What's so great about this juice?
For one, watermelon is one of the most hydrating summer fruits possible (it's called water-melon for a reason!). Each season's produce provides the exact nutrients we need at that time of the year, and that's why eating a seasonal diet is such a great idea. Watermelon is a summer rockstar, and consuming it at this time of the year will make you feel like gold. Add to this its irresistible sweetness, all the antioxidants packed into that bright red color, and the added detoxifying and replenishing qualities of beets and limes in this juice, and you'll probably understand why I'm such a fan.
This week, I finally made this juice at home. Here's the recipe so you can enjoy it, too. ¡Salud!
RECIPE: Watermelon Beet Juice Cooler
Yields 16 ounces (two 8-ounce servings)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cubed watermelon
- 1 medium or ½ large beet, peeled and cubed (about ½ cup)
- Juice of 1 lime
Directions
- Juice the watermelon and beet cubes with a juicer.
- Squeeze the lime juice over the watermelon and beet juice mixture and stir well to incorporate.
- Serve over ice.
