Watermelon Lemonade
This easy watermelon mint lemonade recipe is made for summer sipping! Perfectly sweet, colorful, and undeniably refreshing. Learn how to make watermelon lemonade with real watermelon, mint leaves, and your favorite lemonade. Keep it easy with store-bought, or try my recipe for homemade lemonade made with cane sugar simple syrup. (Including a low sugar and sugar free version!)
Nothing says summer like a ripe watermelon. Puree it with fresh mint and combine with lemonade, and you’ve got an irresistibly bright, juicy beverage made for summertime chilling! Personally, I love a sweet watermelon juice, and this homemade watermelon lemonade has the perfect balance of that sweetness and tartness that I find so satisfying.
Typically, I keep a pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade in the fridge all summer long, so that’s what I used in this recipe. It’s super tasty, without being overly sweet, and you control the sugar content with the simple syrup you use! Of course, you can also use store-bought lemonade for convenience. Once your lemonade is ready, I’ll show you how to make watermelon lemonade in as little as 10 minutes.
What mixes well with watermelon flavor?
As delicious as watermelon is, it can be a tricky fruit to pair. Watermelon pairs nicely with melons like cantaloupe and honeydew, as well as other fruits like coconut, pineapple, berries, and citrus. While it’s perfect as a juice on its own, one of the best pairings is sweet watermelon with tart lemons. (Or check out my recipe for watermelon limeade for another fun, citrusy twist!)
What happens when you mix watermelon and lemon?
The bright, sour, citrus flavor of lemon juice is perfectly balanced by watermelon’s juicy, refreshing, sweetness. Instead of being so sour it makes your face pucker, watermelon’s naturally sweet flavor allows that tartness to shine without being overpowering. Plus, in this watermelon lemonade recipe, the two fruits combine to offer around ⅓ of your recommended daily vitamin C per cup!
More fruit lemonade inspiration:
See how to make mango lemonade, the best strawberry lemonade, or blueberry lemonade—all using real fruit puree + your choice of lemonade!
Watermelon Mint Lemonade Ingredients
- Watermelon. For the sweetest flavor, do your best to pick a ripe watermelon. A ripe watermelon should feel heavy, have a yellow “field spot” on it, and make a low-pitched, deep, hollow sound when you knock on it. (It feels heavy and sounds hollow because it’s full of juiciness!) You can use pre-cut watermelon if desired, but it may not be as sweet or juicy.
- Fresh Mint. A few fresh mint leaves add a cool, fragrant flavor that makes this watermelon mint lemonade all the more refreshing! Of course, feel free to skip the mint if desired—your lemonade will still be totally delicious.
- Homemade Lemonade. Use your favorite lemonade in this recipe—whether it’s a homemade recipe or a store-bought brand. Buying a pitcher at the grocery store is quick and convenient, but I think a homemade batch always tastes best. Try my easy process for how to make lemonade with simple syrup and see for yourself!
How to Make Watermelon Puree
To make watermelon puree at home, blend cut watermelon with fresh mint leaves (and some lemonade, if making lemonade). Since watermelon has such a high water content, it’s easier to blend on its own than other fruits. Still, let the blender run for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is as smooth as possible. Then, strain through a sieve to remove any pulp.
What is the best way to juice a watermelon?
Really, making this watermelon puree is essentially the same process I’d use for juicing a watermelon. Simply blend watermelon until it’s completely liquid, adding a bit of water as needed, then strain to get a smooth juice. You can make watermelon juice in a blender using my recipe for mango juice in a blender as a guide!
How to Make Watermelon Lemonade
- Make watermelon puree. Blend watermelon, mint leaves, and 1 cup lemonade until extremely smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any chunks.
- Combine with lemonade. In a pitcher, stir together watermelon puree with your choice of store-bought or homemade lemonade.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour. Homemade watermelon lemonade is best served chilled and over ice!
See how to make lemonade with watermelon in my 4 Fruit Lemonades video!
Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, chopped
- 5 fresh mint leaves
- 3 cups homemade lemonade, (or store-bought)
Instructions
- Add watermelon and fresh mint leaves to blender with 1 cup lemonade (and optional sweetener, if desired).
- Blend until extremely pureed and smooth. Let it go for at least 1-2 minutes to get it as fine as possible.
- Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp.
- Add to a pitcher and combine with 2 cups lemonade, stirring to integrate. Chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
- Yields ~6½ cups (52oz) watermelon lemonade.
Notes
76 calories | 0.1g fat | 20.5g carbs | 0.3g fiber | 19g sugars | 0.5g protein Nutrition for watermelon lemonade made with my homemade lemonade: Per ~1 cup (8.5oz):
50 calories | 0.1g fat | 15g carbs | 0.3g fiber | 13g sugars | 0.5g protein Nutrition for watermelon lemonade made with my low-sugar lemonade: Per ~1 cup (8.5oz):
35 calories | 0.1g fat | 15g carbs | 0.3g fiber | 9g sugars | 0.5g protein