How to make watermelon juice in a blender. It's so simple! Just scoop, blend, strain and drink. Add lemon juice to boost the electrolytes and you have a refreshing drink, perfectly hydrating on hot summer days.

This watermelon juice is thirst-quenching and refreshing with the sweetness of watermelon and the tang of lemon. It's a useful replacement as an electrolyte drink and similar to an aqua fresca, a Mexican drink of that is a simple blend of ice and fruit. If you love fresh fruit drinks, you might next try my watermelon slush, fruit-sweetened lemonade, my dragon fruit water, and my homemade lime juice. And if you love watermelon, so do I! Try my watermelon fruit salad with mint lime dressing or my easy watermelon pizza.

Why You'll Love This Drink

An economical replacement for expensive sports drinks. Watermelon is as effective at replacing electrolytes as expensive commercial drinks and powders that support electrolyte and hydration balance. Watermelon is around 92% water and provides array of essential electrolytes, such as potassium, vitamins A and C and has a high antioxidant capacity thanks to lycopene.

A hydrating and refreshing juice. The combination of watermelon, lemon and salt combine into one of the most refreshing and hydrating beverages you'll ever try.

Easy to make. You don't need a juicer to make watermelon juice. Just a blender. It's easy enough for kids to make, and a delicious drink to make in minutes on a hot day or even a chilly Spring day.

Benefits of Watermelon Water

Clean ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
Contains natural electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.
Rich in nutrients such as lycopene, carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamins A, B6, and C.
Low in calories due to its high water content (92% water).
May have anticancer effects and support heart health.
Lycopene in watermelon may reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
Citrulline in watermelon may increase nitric oxide levels, expanding blood vessels, and lowering blood pressure.

Ingredients

Watermelon. One small watermelon (4-6 pounds) will provide enough meat for 4-6 glasses of watermelon juice.
Lemon juice. From one fresh lemon or a bottle, organic and with no added sugar.
Salt. This drink is rich with electrolytes, and the salt helps the body absorb them.

Tools Needed

Blender
Paring knife
Fine Mesh Strainer
Juice container

How to Pick A Watermelon

Dull shell, not shiny, means a sweeter watermelon.
Heavy means juicy.
Knock hello on a watermelon and listen for a hollow sound, again a sign of a juicy interior.
Yellow patch on one side means the watermelon sat on the ground long enough to ripen nicely.

Steps to Make

Here is a quick summary of the steps, but the detailed watermelon juice recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Wash a watermelon, then cut it open. Using a spoon, scoop out the meat, and add to a blender jar. Seeds are fine since you'll be straining. Measure out homemade lemon juice or juice a lemon.
Add lemon juice and a small pinch of sea salt to the blender jar.
Start the blender slow, and gradually increase up to 45 seconds, then stop. Don't blend further or the blender will heat and cook the watermelon.
Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer and push around with a spoon to get the mixture through. Discard the pulp left behind in the strainer.
Pour the result juice into glasses and enjoy it right away or store.

Recipe Tips

Straining is optional. The juice will have a heavy pulp, so to create clear juice, pour it through a fine mesh strainer. You can drink the juice with the pulp however for extra fiber.

Seeds are fine. If your watermelon has seeds, include them in the mix if your blend is a high speed blender and can pulverize them. You can eat watermelon seeds. They are rich in magnesium, zinc and fiber.

Don't over blend. A blender warms up the longer it rotates so you don't want to overblend or you'll cook the watermelon.

Foam is good. If a foam forms on the top of your watermelon water, it's fine to drink and adds an interesting texture to your drink but of course you can opt to skim it off with a spoon.

Variations

Add these options to the current recipe for a unique twist of flavor.

Strawberry watermelon juice: Add a ½ cup of frozen strawberries to the recipe for a fruity drink.
Pineapple watermelon juice: Add ½ cup of chopped frozen pineapple instead of watermelon for a tropical twist.
Watermelon cucumber juice: Add ½ cup chopped cucumber into the water for a greener, even more hydrating drink.
Alcoholic additions: Add an ounce or two of gin or vodka for a grownup's version of watermelon water.

Storage

Store watermelon juice in a sealed jar for up to a week. If the layers separate, give it a stir, pour over ice and enjoy.

For long term storage, freeze it in ice cube trays, then once frozen, bag the ice cubes in ziploc bags and keep frozen for up to a year depending on how well sealed the package is.

Recipe FAQS

How much watermelon juice does 2 cups of watermelon make?

Blending two cups of watermelon, and straining it, produces 1 cup of juice. This recipe produces 2 cups (16 ounces) of juice.

Does watermelon replace electrolytes?

Watermelon is around 90% water and is also electrolyte-rich, including potassium, and with the addition of a pinch of salt, the drink is the perfect replenishment after a tough workout.

Is watermelon better than Gatorade?

Drinking watermelon puree is as effective as commercial sports drinks like Gatorade in supporting the replenishment of electrolytes primarily because watermelon contains nutrients that support bio-availability of lycopene, the primary player in improving antioxidant capacity.

Why is my watermelon juice thick?

Watermelon pureed in a blender will contain fiber and seeds, both of which are nutritious. However, if you prefer your watermelon water or watermelon juice more clear, strain it using a fine mesh strainer.

How do you strain watermelon juice without a strainer?

You can strain your juice by pouring it through a layer of cheesecloth put over a bowl if you don't have a fine mesh strainer

Can I eat the rind?

Yes, watermelon rind carries nutrients and fiber and is edible. Be sure it was grown organically so there are no pesticides absorbed into the rind. To add it to watermelon juice, chop it small enough to be blended. Only add about ½ cup of rind to this recipe as more will add a bitter flavor.

More Healthy Drinks

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