Watermelon Juice Recipe

Watermelon Juice is a favorite drink to grab when you want to cool off during the hot summer months. This refreshing summer drink is made with one of the most hydrating foods (watermelon!) and is enhanced by adding lime juice and a touch of sugar (if you’d like). This is the perfect way to enjoy juicy watermelon during watermelon season! 

Use the leftover watermelon to make this Watermelon Salad or Watermelon Feta Skewers. They are light and refreshing — perfect for hot summer days — and a great way to mix up how you serve watermelon this summer. 

Why This Recipe Works

• New way to serve watermelon! Everyone knows you can’t experience a true summer without eating watermelon at least once throughout the scorching hot months. My family and I go to the beach on a regular basis in the summer. And every single time we go I always cut up a ripe watermelon to eat and enjoy while we’re there. Now, with this homemade watermelon juice recipe, you have a new way of serving watermelon!
• Easy watermelon juice recipe. By simply blending up watermelon (seedless) and adding lime juice, water, and a touch of sugar, you have the most delicious liquid form of watermelon out there — such a refreshing and easy recipe! 

Ingredient Notes

• Seedless Watermelon: The riper the watermelon the sweeter the watermelon mint juice will be. You don’t want any black seeds in the watermelon. White seeds are fine because they are smaller. Discard the watermelon rind. 
• Water: This is optional. If you want a very concentrated watermelon taste in the drink you can omit the water. You can also use sprite or sparkling water if you’d prefer. 
• Lime Juice: The lime flavor isn’t too powerful, but just enough to catch your attention. If you want a stronger lime flavor consider adding some lime zest to the drink. Use lemon juice if you don’t have lime juice. 
• Sugar: Just in case you picked an un-ripe watermelon. Added sugar will add some sweetness to the fresh watermelon juice. However, you don’t have to add the sugar if you don’t want to.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend the ingredients. To a high-speed blender add 8 cups watermelon cubes, 1/3 cup  lime juice, and 1 cup water (if using). Blend until smooth.
2. Strain the watermelon mixture. Pour the mixture from the blender through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large pitcher. Discard anything that remains in the strainer. 
3. Add the sugar. Stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Chill the delicious watermelon juice until cold. Pour into serving glasses with ice cubes and garnish the watermelon juice with mint leaves. Enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

If you want a more pronounced lime flavor you can add fresh lime zest to the watermelon lime drink.

Instead of adding water you can add sparkling water, Gingerale, Sprite or 7-UP if you want a carbonated kick.

You can substitute honey or agave for the sugar. If you use agave you’ll have a vegan watermelon juice!

You may need to add more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of your watermelon.

If you want your watermelon lime juice to be pulpy, no need to use the strainer. 

The fresh mint leaves are just a garnish — you can feel free to use them or omit.

Feel free to use a whole watermelon instead of just 8 cups — and no need to cut the watermelon into cubes if you don’t want to. That’s just to help people get the ratios right. Adjust things to taste! If you feel like you need more sugar, add more sugar! If you feel like you need more lime, add more lime! If you need more watermelon .. .well you get the idea! 

How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon

To pick the best watermelon, look for a field spot that is yellowish and creamy colored. The field spot is where the watermelon rested on the ground. If the field spot is more yellowish in color rather than white,  it means the watermelon was left on the vine to ripen longer. This means you’ll have a sweeter watermelon.

Look for web-like brown spots. The webbing (usually around the field spot) means there’s usually more sugar in the watermelon.

Pick a watermelon that’s heavy for its size.

Make sure the watermelon is firm.

It’s also a good thing to tap on the watermelon with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon will have a deep hollow sound and an under-ripe or over-ripe melon will sound dull.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

You can make this watermelon limeade ahead of time and store it in the pitcher in the fridge for a few days. 

Store leftover juice in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Remove and let thaw — serve as a slushy or let thaw completely until fully liquid again. 

Recipe FAQs

More Perfect Summer Drink Recipes

• Limeade Slush Punch
• Virgin Mint Julep
• Italian Cream Soda
• Raspberry Mojito (Mocktail)
• Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade