How to Make Watermelon Juice - Learn to make a simple and refreshing watermelon juice with coconut water and no added sugar! Brighten it up with some lime juice and fresh basil and enjoy sipping all summer long!
I’ve always enjoyed making drinks for a pool party crowd like refreshing black iced tea, virgin mojitos, and huckleberry lemonade, but watermelon juice has to be one of the most refreshing ways to keep my family hydrated all summer long. It’s easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, it’s incredibly refreshing, and tastes amazing!
You’ll find the natural sweetness of the watermelon gives this watermelon juice recipe plenty of flavor, but there’s always room to make it your own. Add a little honey for sweetness and turn this into popsicles for the kids, or add a splash of liquor for the adults!
If you’re looking for homemade juice recipes try my pomegranate beet juice and orange juice next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s as thirst-quenching as water is!
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals
- You can double the batch for a larger crowd
- Made without added sugars, colors, or preservatives
Watermelon Juice Ingredients
- Watermelon - I like to cut my watermelon into cubes to easily throw in the blender. It’ll be sifted, so don’t worry about the seeds.
- Basil leaves - Fresh basil leaves add even more refreshing flavor. Basil and watermelon (and other fruit too!) pair so well together.
- Coconut water - I use coconut water with no added sugars. It has a bit of a natural sweetness, but nothing overly sweet.
- Lime juice - Really brightens up the taste!
- Ice - To keep the drink nice and cold.
See the recipe card for the full information on recipe ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Watermelon Juice
Step 1: Purée the watermelon in a blender until smooth.
Step 2: Pour the purée through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or juice pitcher. Discard the pulp/seeds.
Step 3: To your glass, add ice and pour the water melon juice over top. Leave extra room for as much coconut water as you’d like. Add a splash of lime juice and give it a stir.
Step 4: Garnish with basil leaves and enjoy!
How to Cut Watermelon in Cubes
First, you’ll want to rinse the watermelon. Use a sharp knife to cut about 1 inch of both ends, so they’re flat on both ends.
Stand it up onto one of the cut ends and slice the rind off, cutting downward in strips along the curve.
Then, cut the watermelon in half and then quarters. Lay each quarter flat and cut it into 1-inch slices lengthwise.
From there, cut the slices crosswise into cubes. Now they’re ready to use in this watermelon drink or a refreshing watermelon salad!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- If you prefer the consistency of a smoothie, you don’t have to strain your purée. Especially if there are no seeds to worry about.
- When choosing to keep the pulp, remember the juice will separate so you may need to stir just before serving.
- Add a little honey, stevia, or cane sugar to the drink for sweetness.
- If you don’t have lime juice, lemon juice works too.
- Swap the fresh basil for mint.
- Add some fresh berries to your watermelon lime juice. Blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries for pretty garnish and a slightly different taste!
Recipe FAQs
Watermelon (hence the name) is made up of about 92% water, so it’s plenty refreshing! It’s a great way to ensure people are staying hydrated especially if drinking enough water becomes a little boring. It also contains vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes!
It’s never a guarantee that you’re going to pick the ripest, juiciest watermelon but there are some tips to help you out.
Choose one that has a beige or yellow field spot. If it’s white, it’ll have little flavor.
The rind should be nice and firm, the watermelon should be heavy, and it should sound deep and hollow when tapped.
It’s best enjoyed the day it’s made, but you can keep any leftovers nice and cold in the fridge for up to 3 days.
As mentioned above, you could go with honey or stevia, mint, or fresh berries.
You could try ginger or cucumber too. If you’re not a fan of coconut water, swap it with sparkling water instead.
More Seasonal Drinks You’ll Love
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Watermelon Juice Drink
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups watermelon cubed
- 3 leaves basil
- ¼ cup coconut water or to taste, optional
- lime juice to taste
- ice
Instructions
- Blend the Watermelon: In a blender, combine the watermelon cubes. Blend until smooth.
- Strain (Optional): If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the pulp.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the watermelon juice over the ice, filling about ⅔ of the glass.
- Top with Coconut Water: Add coconut water. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish: Add a basil leaf and a small watermelon wedge to each glass for a beautiful presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing taste of summer!
Notes
- Start with chilled watermelon - pop watermelon in the fridge a few hours before blending it. Not only does this make the juice extra cold, but it means you won’t have to dilute it with tons of ice.
- No need to add water - Watermelon is already packed with natural juice (over 90% water!), so blending it on its own gives you a rich, fruity drink without needing to water it down.
- Blender over juicer, every time - use my blender instead of a juicer because it keeps the fiber and gives you a fuller flavor. If you want a silky-smooth texture, you can strain it—but I love the natural thickness from the pulp.
- Taste before sweetening - Watermelon is usually sweet enough on its own, but if yours is a bit mild, a teaspoon of honey or agave syrup does the trick.
- Serve it fresh and frosty - This juice is best enjoyed right after blending. If you do make it ahead, give it a good stir before serving—it naturally separates a bit as it sits.
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