Cool, crisp, and naturally hydrating-this homemade watermelon water is the ultimate summer refreshment. Made in minutes with just a blender, it's a simple, sugar-free drink that tastes like summer in a glass. Perfect for hot days, backyard barbecues, picnics, and poolside sipping, it's a clean, delicious alternative to soda, sweetened iced tea, or sports drinks.
Watermelon water has other names too, like watermelon juice. Since it's hails from Mexican cuisine, it's also called agua de sandia or watermelon agua fresca. Simply a refreshing drink of pureed watermelon with lime juice, water if desired, and optionally a little sweetener. Most of the time it's not needed.
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Why You'll Love Watermelon Water
- Naturally hydrating and refreshing-a clean, healthy drink for hot days.
- Quick and easy to make with just a blender-no juicer needed.
- Perfect for summertime when watermelon is sweet, juicy, and in season.
- Love WTRMLN WTR or Mela Water? Make your own at home and save money.
If you love summer melons, make these tasty little melon kabobs for snacks or a healthy dessert or these popular watermelon and goat cheese appetizers.
What You'll Need
- Watermelon - Choose a ripe, red, seedless watermelon-often sold as a "mini watermelon." Look for tips below on how to pick a good one.
- Sweetener (optional) - Most of the time, no sweetener is needed-a ripe watermelon is naturally sweet. Taste the juice first. If you'd like a little extra sweetness, try a touch of sugar, granular monk fruit, or a monk fruit-based simple syrup for a natural, no-sugar option.
- Lime - Fresh lime juice adds brightness and balances the sweetness. Add to taste-start with a little and adjust.
- Water (optional) - For a lighter drink, add still or sparkling water. Use filtered water if possible for the cleanest taste.
Please see the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- No limes? Use lemon juice instead-it turns into a refreshing watermelon lemonade.
- Make it a cocktail. Add a splash of white tequila, vodka, or white rum for an easy summer sip.
- Want a slushie? Briefly freeze the watermelon cubes, then blend for a frosty twist.
- Strain or don't. Strain the blended mixture for a smoother, juice-like texture-or skip it for a rustic, fiber-rich drink.
Chef's Tip: How to buy a good watermelon? 1) The melon should feel heavy for it's size meaning it's juicy watermelon with a high water content 2) Look for a creamy yellow to orange field spot. It's where the melon sat on the ground soaking up the sun. Creamy yellow to orange means it grew longer and should be more ripe and sweet. 3) Choose one free of bruises or scars. Minor scratches are ok, and look for a uniform shape. And what about tapping or thumping? Some swear by thumping or tapping watermelon, but it's not always consistent. If you do thump it, it should have a deep sound (versus hollow) when tapped or thumped. Here's a good article on buying watermelons.
How to Make Watermelon Water
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled or over ice in a glass.
- Add lime wedges on the side so guests can adjust the tartness to taste.
- Garnish with fresh mint or a small wedge of watermelon for a pretty, summery touch (optional, but lovely).
🍧 Bonus Idea: Watermelon Popsicles
Pour the blended watermelon water into popsicle molds and freeze. They're light, hydrating, and perfect for hot summer days!
If you have an electric juicer, try this watermelon cucumber juice recipe.
How to Cut Up a Watermelon
Read this post with helpful photographs on how to cut up a watermelon.
Recipe FAQs
Watermelon water is a refreshing summer drink providing vitamins A, C and B6, the amino acid citrulline, plus natural electrolytes potassium and magnesium, important for muscle and nerve function. Possibly the best benefit of watermelon is a phytonutrient called lycopene. As an antioxidant, lycopene provides heart health bone health, and anti-inflammatory benefits in that beautiful red color and is linked to a reduced risk for cancer and age-related eye disorders.
Watermelon water is basically what are called an aguas frescas or fresh waters in Spanish. It's traditional in Mexican cuisine and made with many fresh fruits. It's super refreshing. With fresh, ripe, seasonal fruit it's not needed. In some areas you'll see them sold by street vendors from carts.
Like cucumbers and other melons, watermelons are more than 90% water. Plus the natural minerals and sugar watermelon provides support hydration, perfect for a hot summer day. For more health benefits of watermelon here's a good article. Watermelon water can help with hydration.
When your away from home and can't make it yourself, the brand wtrmln wtr has no additives. When home, homemade beats brands and it is so easy to make! When you make watermelon water at home, there are no artificial flavors, artificial colors, or added sugar often in grocery store watermelon water.
More Terrific Summer Refresher Recipes
To help you beat the summer heat, here are a few ideas for more delicious, refreshing summer recipes. Try the cold gazpacho if you've never made it!
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Watermelon Water
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds seedless watermelon cubes from a 5 pound mini watermelon
- ¼-1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice 5-6 limes
- ½-1 cup filtered water still or sparking, optional
Instructions
- If starting with a whole watermelon versus already chopped cubes, wash watermelon rind well. Slice a little off one end and stand the watermelon on the flat end and cut in half. Lay the halves flat and cut into slices. Remove the rind. Puree in a blender. Strain and discard pulp for a smoother drink or leave it in. Add lime juice. Add still or sparkling water if desired. Garnish with mint and lime slices.
Notes
- The melon should feel heavy for it's size meaning it's juicy watermelon with a high water content
- Look for a creamy yellow to orange field spot. It's where the melon sat on the ground soaking up the sun. Creamy yellow to orange means it grew longer and should be more ripe and sweet.
- Choose one free of bruises or scars. Minor scratches are ok
- Look for a uniform shape.
- And what about tapping or thumping? Some swear by the thumping method, but it's not always consistent. If you do thump it, it should have a deep sound (versus hollow).
Nutrition
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Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
This is just gorgeous. Makes me want to go buy a watermelon. Your watermelon with goat cheese was one of the most beautiful appetizers I have ever seen.