[Photo/The New York Times]

I'm always tossing watermelon with fresh mint, so I decided to see how the two would blend in a smoothie. The result is like a cross between a sweet mint tea and a watermelon agua fresca.

2 cups, tightly packed, diced seedless watermelon

1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon sugar, agave syrup or vanilla sugar

3 to 4 ice cubes (more to taste)

Watermelon balls for garnish

1. Place all of the ingredients except the watermelon balls in the blender. Blend until frothy, about one minute. Pour into a glass, and garnish with watermelon balls. Serve right away.

Yield: One serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 110 calories; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 28 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 6 milligrams sodium; 2 grams protein