Sparkling Watermelon Refresher

Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, vegan

This Sparkling Watermelon Refresher is a delightful summer drink you can make in your blender with only 4 ingredients and no added sugar. Subtly flavored with fresh mint and lime juice, enjoy it with plenty of ice as the ultimate fruity thirst quencher.

Two glasses of Sparkling Watermelon Refresher garnished with lime slices with watermelon wedges and sprigs of mint in the foreground.

Juicy fresh watermelon is a summertime favorite.

While I tend to enjoy it on its own or in salads like Watermelon Blueberry Salad or Watermelon Tomato Salad, it's also delicious turned into a refreshing beverage.

If you enjoy agua fresca but prefer a fruit drink without added refined sugar, this Sparkling Watermelon Refresher is for you. It's also caffeine-free, unlike Starbucks popular refreshers.

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
Amy's tip
Serving suggestions
Storing and freezing
FAQ
More fruity drink recipes
📋 Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

It's easy to make in your blender with only 4 ingredients.
It's naturally sweetened with fruit.
You can make a batch of the watermelon mixture in advance and refrigerate it or freeze it for later.

Ingredients

Sparkling water: Any plain sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer can be used to make these beverages. You can also choose a flavored sparkling water to add an extra layer of fruitiness.

For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

The only special equipment you'll need for this recipe is a blender.

Instructions

To make a Sparkling Watermelon Refresher, first blend the cut watermelon, lime juice, and mint in a blender until smooth. If you prefer a less "pulpy" texture, you can pass the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.

Next fill a glass with ice, either crushed ice or ice cubes. Add some of the watermelon juice mixture to the glass and top with sparkling water. I recommend a ratio of ¾ watermelon mixture to ¼ sparkling water.

Amy's tip

This is a great recipe to make if you have any leftover watermelon in your refrigerator that you want to use up. For a single serving you'll only need 1 cup of cubed watermelon.

Serving suggestions

Close up of tall glass of Sparkling Watermelon Refresher garnished with lime.

Watermelon Refreshers can be enjoyed any time of day, with or without food. It's the perfect drink to enjoy after exercise since watermelon may help your muscles recover faster after a workout.

They are also wonderful for pairing with spicy foods to balance the heat.

Storing and freezing

Refrigerate any leftover watermelon mixture (before adding the sparkling water) in a container with a lid for up to 3 days.

Or freeze, leaving room in the top of the container for expansion, for 1 to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

For tips on freezing, refer to USDA Freezing and Food Safety.

FAQ

How do you pick a good watermelon?

Look for a watermelon that has dark green stripes and has a dull texture. If it's shiny looking, it's probably not ripe. It should be firm and free from dents and cuts as much as possible.

Is it OK to juice watermelon?

While you can use a juicer, it's not necessary in order to make watermelon juice. Simply blend chopped watermelon in a blender until smooth. If you want to remove the pulp, or if some seeds ended up in the juice, pour it through a fine mesh strainer.

Is it worth it to buy organic watermelon?

Conventional watermelon is generally low in pesticides compared to other fruit and is on the "Clean-15" list. Be sure to wash the outside well before slicing.

More fruity drink recipes

And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★