How to make watermelon juice with this easy 2-ingredient recipe. This fresh watermelon juice is a natural hydrating drink, tastes like cold pressed, is healthier than store bought electrolyte drinks and easy to make in a blender or juicer.
How to make watermelon juice that is thirst-quenching and refreshing with the sweetness of watermelon and the tang of lemon. And I think the addition of a pinch of salt sends this drink over the top. This easy watermelon juice recipe is not only refreshing on a hot summer day, but it is also a popular weight loss drink.
This homemade fresh watermelon juice tastes like cold press, and is a delicious, inexpensive replacement for any store-bought electrolyte drink. Scoop a small melon into a blender, add lemon juice to boost electrolytes and salt, blend, strain and drink! It's actually like a refreshing aqua fresca, a Mexican drink that is a simple blend of ice and fruit.
If you love this easy blender juice, 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 , my watermelon ice cream, and my easy watermelon pizza.
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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 a refreshing and hydrating beverage with a fresh organic flavor.
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.
Benefits of Watermelon Juice
- 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. [source]
- Low in calories due to its high water content (92% water).
- May have anticancer effects. [source]
- Lycopene in watermelon may reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. [source]
- Citrulline in watermelon may increase nitric oxide levels, expanding blood vessels, and lowering blood pressure. [source]
Ingredients
- Watermelon. One small watermelon (4-6 pounds) will provide enough meat for 2 generous glasses of watermelon juice. You can spoon out the fruit or use cubed watermelon. Use a seeded or seedless watermelon - either way is fine since you'll be blending and straining the pulp.
- Lemon juice. Use the juice squeezed from one fresh lemon, or use bottled lemon juice. Choose an organic brand and with no added sugar.
- Salt. This is optional but it boosts watermelon's natural electrolytes and the body's access to them.
See the recipe card at the bottom for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Pick a Watermelon
Here are some characteristics to look for when looking for a sweet watermelon to make the most flavorful juice.
- dull outer shell, not shiny
- heavy in weight, indicates a juicy inside.
- knock hello on the 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.
- 2 fingers fit between light and dark green stripes.
Tools Needed
- blender (here is an affordable Nutrabullet)
- paring knife
- fine mesh strainer
- juice pitcher
Step by Step Instructions
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.
Step 1: Choose your watermelon. Wash it well. Cut it in half, and using a spoon, scoop out the meat.
Step 2: Add the scooped watermelon to a blender jar. You can keep the seeds since you'll be straining. Measure out homemade lemon juice or juice a lemon.
Step 3: Add lemon juice and a small pinch of sea salt to the blender jar.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Pour the result juice into ice-filled glasses and enjoy it right away or refrigerate to drink later.
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 over blend 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.
- Watermelon lime juice: Swap the lemon juice for lime juice.
- 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.
- Add flavors. Add a few mint leaves or ¼ teaspoon of mint extract to bring on a cool mint flavor. Adding a splash or ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract gives your watermelon juice a fun hint of vanilla.
Storage
Refrigerated. Store watermelon juice in a sealed jar for up to a week in the refrigerator. If the layers separate, give it a stir, pour over ice and enjoy.
Frozen. For long term storage, freeze it in ice cube trays, then once frozen, bag the ice cubes in freezer bags and keep frozen for up to a year depending on how well sealed the package is.
FAQS
Blending two cups of watermelon, and straining it, produces 1 cup of juice. This recipe produces 2 cups (16 ounces) of juice.
Yes, pour watermelon juice into ice cube trays and freeze. Bag the cubes and use them in water, or add to a glass the prior night to thaw and have fresh watermelon juice ready in the morning.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
If you tried this watermelon juice recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Watermelon Juice
Equipment
- 1 blender
- juice pitcher
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, chopped, no rind or just scoop all the pulp out of a small watermelon (4-6 pounds)
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed or from bottle
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Either cut watermelon in cubes and measure out cups, or just scoop all the meat out of a small watermelon.4 cups watermelon, chopped, no rind
- Add the watermelon and other ingredients to a blender jar.2 tablespoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt
- 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.
- Taste and decide if more lemon juice is needed for a fresher flavor.
- 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. Drink immediately or store.
Jaimehuizar
Not a comment but a question Hopefully I can get an answer, can I use fresh lime in place of lemon for the watermelon juice?
Dee Dine
Yes, I bet that will be delicious. Limes tend to be more bitter though so you might want to add half and taste it before adding the rest.
Charmane
The best watermelon juice I've ever had.perfect combo,salt and lemon added is the kicker. Thank you for sharing..charmane
Dee Dine
So glad you liked it!
Cherye
I use the juice and make ice cubes. Then....pour my juice over it. Then add a sprig of mint. Yum.
Dee Dine
Awesome variation! Thanks for sharing this idea.