How Watermelon Lemonade Saved My Summer (Again)

October 5, 2024

A Strange Discovery

I started making this because I was tired of slicing into watermelons and ending up with a sticky mess, all while craving that sharp zing of lemon. Somehow, blending the two became a little experiment that spun out into my favorite summer refresher—not coating my hands in juice, but chilled, translucent, with a whisper of salt and a splash of mint.

The scent hits first—a bright citrus punch mixed with ripe watermelon sweetness, but it’s the crunch of ice that really makes it. No fancy syrups, no mega-sugar spike, just real fruit flavors doing their thing. It’s the kind of drink that makes you forget about the heat, at least for a while. Makes me wonder why this isn’t on every picnic table.

Watermelon Lemon Mint Cooler

This beverage combines blended watermelon and lemon juice with fresh mint, served chilled over ice. The mixture has a translucent appearance with a bright, citrusy flavor, and a refreshing texture punctuated by crushed ice and bits of fruit pulp.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Summertime
Calories: 50

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups watermelon cubes seedless, ripe watermelon
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
  • 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup optional, for sweetness
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
  • to taste coarse salt a pinch to sprinkle
  • 1 cup ice cubes

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Fine sieve or strainer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Serving glasses

Method
 

  1. Place the watermelon cubes into the blender jar, ensuring they fill no more than halfway.
  2. Add fresh lemon juice, honey (if using), and chopped mint leaves to the blender.
  3. Secure the lid on the blender and blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant in color, about 30-45 seconds. You should see a uniform, translucent blend with no chunks.
  4. Strain the blended mixture through a fine sieve or strainer into a large pitcher, pressing gently with a spatula or spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, leaving pulp and solids behind.
  5. Add a pinch of coarse salt and stir well to enhance the flavors. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled watermelon lemon mixture over the ice.
  6. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint or a thin wedge of lemon for presentation. Serve immediately for a refreshing, icy drink.

Just a sip away from something simple

It’s weird how something so straightforward can feel like a tiny rebellion against all the overly complicated drinks out there. No fuss. Just watermelon, lemon, and a little instinct. Sometimes, that’s enough to make the hangover of a summer day a little easier to handle.

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