Fresh watermelon, lime juice, coconut water (or plain water) and a little sweetener combine to make this stunningly delicious Watermelon Refresher. Perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day, it's easy to make and will be loved by both kids and adults!
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I'm a bit surprised that
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Not only does this make it easier, but it makes it taste so fresh and delicious!
❤️ Why this recipe works
- Simple ingredients: the ingredients in this summer drink are pretty basic and easy to obtain.
- Fresh watermelon shines: Because this drink is made with fresh watermelon, the summer fruit really is the star of the show.
- Easy to control the sugar: While I do recommend using plain simple syrup, agave, or honey to sweeten the refresher, you can control how much you use. You can leave it out altogether if you want or you can add more if you like a sweeter drink.
- Easy to add different flavors: I keep this drink simple and just add a little lime juice, but there are so many other fun flavors you could add to the drink, which I list in the below section on recipe variations.
🗒 Ingredients
Like I mentioned, you don't need much to make this watermelon refresher at home. Here's everything you need (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this page for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):
- Fresh watermelon
- Ice
- Coconut water: or plain water if you prefer
- Simple syrup: or agave or honey
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Watermelon slice and lime wedge: optional for garnish
🍉 Recipe tips
- To tell if a watermelon is ripe and ready, check the color on the bottom of it. You want it to be a creamy yellow color. The best watermelons are also heavy for their size and should make a deep, hollow sign when you knock on it.
- Try to get seedless watermelon if possible. You'll be straining the mixture anyway, but your juice could be a bit more bitter.
- Use a heaping cup of cubed watermelon to generate about ¾ cup juice in the blender.
- Strain the juice after you blend it to remove any pulp, seeds, or foam.
- Add the strained watermelon juice to a shaker with ice, coconut water (or plain water), lime juice, and sweetener of your choice and shake vigorously to combine.
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- I like using coconut water because it adds a little more body to the drink, along with a slight saltiness and sweetness. It also adds electrolytes and makes the drink super refreshing! But regular water works, too, if you prefer.
- I use about 1 tablespoon simple syrup, but you may need more or less depending on how sweet your watermelon is and how sweet you want your drink.
- If substituting with another sweetener, I recommend about 1 ½ teaspoon of agave or about 2 teaspoon honey. I do recommend mixing the honey with a little warm water before adding it to the drink so it combines better.
- Add fun garnishes to your watermelon refresher, like slices of watermelon and lime wedges or rounds.
Take a sip and enjoy the most refreshing drink of summer!
Watermelon is so synonymous with summertime and I try to eat (and drink) as much of it as I can while the warm weather is here.
🎉 Recipe variations
There's so much you can do with this simple watermelon refresher recipe to suit the drink to your tastes or the occasion. Here are some ideas:
- Add seltzer water to make a sparkling watermelon refresher
- Add pineapple juice for a tropical island vibe
- Shake drink with mint or basil leaves or muddle them in your glass
- Add rum or vodka for a deliciously refreshing watermelon cocktail
- Turn the drink into a slush by freezing the cubed watermelon and blending with the coconut water, lime juice, and 2 teaspoon syrup (skip the ice)
- Turn the drink into popsicles by pouring the blended mixture into popsicle molds.
🥳 How to make a big batch
It's easy to make a big batch of watermelon refreshers for a party. Here's how to make a batch that serves 10:
- 7 ½ cups strained watermelon juice
- 5 cups coconut water (or plain water)
- 10 tablespoon simple syrup
- 10 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice for serving
Stir the ingredients together in a large pitcher (without the ice) and refrigerate for at least an hour. When ready to serve, give it a good stir and pour into ice-filled glasses.
If you want to make the drink ahead of serving (no more than 24 hours), be sure to give the mixture a good stir or shake before serving as watermelon juice will likely separate.
OK, scratch that; we don't need
The adults and kids in your life will be asking for this drink all summer long.
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Refresher
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Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup cubed watermelon
- ½ cup ice
- ½ cup coconut water or plain water
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup or agave or honey (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- Watermelon slice and lime wedge for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Put cubed watermelon in blender and process until pureed. You should get about ¾ cup of watermelon juice.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour watermelon juice in to strain out any pulp, seeds, or foam.
- In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add watermelon juice, coconut water (or plain water), simple syrup (or agave or honey), and lime juice. Shake well.
- Pour entire contents of shaker (ice included) into a glass. Add a slice of watermelon and a lime wedge for garnish and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use less simple syrup if you want, especially if your watermelon is already quite sweet. Or you can use more if you like a sweeter drink. If using agave or honey, about 1 ½ teaspoon agave or 2 teaspoon of honey should be equivalent. I recommend mixing the honey in a little warm water first to help it incorporate into the drink better.
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