WATERMELON SLUSHIE
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This watermelon slushie is so refreshing! It’s a healthy, satisfying, no-guilt beverage. When friends arrive for a visit, reach for the blender. Whip up this frozen watermelon drink. It’s a nice cool way to beat the heat.
If the mixture melts down in the pitcher before it’s enjoyed, no worries. It makes a delicious base for watermelon limeade. You can strain it though a fine-mesh sieve, or just add cold sparkling water and serve over ice!
guilt-free WATERMELON SLUSHIE
Remember the fun carefree days of sipping a bright-red 7-11 Slurpee without worrying about the calories? Then we grew up. But now, it’s easy to enjoy taste of childhood with this guilt-free watermelon slushie recipe!
Enjoy this summertime favorite out on the porch or when relaxing by the pool. Like Mexican horchata and hibiscus sweet tea, it’s a kid-friendly drink for 4th of July! Make it festive by garnishing the glasses and adding straws.
For a slushy boozy drink for 21+, try this refreshing frozen rosé.
INGREDIENTS
RECIPE YIELD: 10 tall glasses of watermelon slushie
This frozen watermelon drink is easy to make with just 4 ingredients plus water. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Seedless watermelon
- Limes
- Agave nectar (blue agave syrup)
- Fresh mint
- Purified water
GARNISHES: Triangular watermelon slices, lime wedges, mint leaves
EASY INGREDIENT SWAPS
Have a watermelon on hand, but not the rest of the ingredients for this watermelon slushie recipe? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the store. Instead, check in your pantry for these easy ingredient swaps.
- AGAVE NECTAR: Agave nectar has a fairly neutral taste with just slight hints of honey. So the best ingredient swaps are honey, maple syrup, granulated sugar, or a few pinches of Stevia.
- LIMES: Lemons. If you don’t have fresh citrus on hand, use bottled lime juice or bottled lemon juice.
- FRESH MINT: A few teaspoons of mint from an herbal mint teabag, or a few drops of peppermint extract.
RECIPE STEPS
RECIPE PREP: Slice off watermelon rind and the thin layer of white flesh. Discard. Cube the watermelon into small pieces. Divide them between 3 zip-top freezer bags, arranging cubes in a single layer. Freeze overnight.
PREP THIS RECIPE IN THIRDS: In order to fit the ingredients in an average size blender, we’ll need to prep this recipe in thirds. So for each batch, add 1/3 of each ingredient to the blender.
Here’s how to make a watermelon slushie!
- STEP 1: Separate the frozen watermelon pieces (snap them apart) so there aren’t large chunks sticking together. Add them to the container of a high speed blender with agave nectar, lime juice, and mint leaves. Pour in enough water so you’re not over-working the machine to blend the ingredients. Attach the lid. Make sure it’s firmly secured.
- STEP 2: Pulse the blender. Use the tamper. When the frozen watermelon cubes begin to break up, blend until the mixture reaches a slushie consistency. If the mixture is too thick add more water.
- STEP 3: Divide watermelon slushie between tall glasses. For a nice serving presentation, transfer remaining drink to a beverage pitcher.
- STEP 4: Garnish each glass with a small slice of watermelon, a slice of lime, and a few sprigs of fresh mint.
KITCHEN SMARTS: When measuring cut pieces of fruit, leave your measuring cups in the drawer. Instead, use a large (8-cup) batter bowl that has cup measurements listed along the sides.
EXPERT TIPS & FAQ
These two beverages are very similar. A smoothie is a blended mixture of raw fruit and/or veggies, and often contains dairy (milk, yogurt or ice cream) and fruit juices. The consistency of a slushie is much thicker and icier. Most slushie recipes don’t include dairy products.
When watermelon slushie melts down, it transitions into the base for watermelon limeade. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove solids and refrigerate. When ready to serve, fill tumblers 2/3 full with ice. Add sparkling water to the mix and pour it over the ice.
Make watermelon ice pops! Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid, about 12 hours.
Try frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, or frozen pineapple chunks. Depending on the type of fruit used, you may need to add some ice. Instead of water, use apple juice or pineapple juice.
WHAT TO PAIR WITH A FROZEN WATERMELON DRINK
For backyard picnics and swim parties, pair a cool refreshing watermelon slushie with these easy summer recipes!
- CUCUMBER SANDWICHES
- MACARONI SALAD
- CHEESEBURGER SLIDERS
- JALAPENO BACON DEVILED EGGS
- FRIED ZUCCHINI
- STATE FAIR CORN DOGS
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After enjoying this frozen watermelon drink, friends say it’s the best watermelon slushie recipe. Better than a 7-11 Slurpee. If you agree, let others know how good it is! Give it a 5-star rating in the comments.
WATERMELON SLUSHIE
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: 10 Servings 1x
Description
Make this frozen watermelon drink with 4 ingredients plus water. It’s icy, cool and refreshing! Watermelon slushie is the ideal beverage for 4th of July and hot-weather days all summer long.
Ingredients
- 12 1/2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed and frozen*
- Juice of 3 limes
- 4 1/2 tablespoons agave nectar (blue agave syrup)
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
- 6 cups purified water, or more if needed
*NOTE: The amount of watermelon needed is approximately half of a 15-pound watermelon. I suggest cubing up the whole watermelon. Save the rest to make this recipe a second time.
Instructions
RECIPE PREP THE DAY BEFORE: Slice off watermelon rind and the thin layer of white flesh. Discard. Cube the watermelon into very small pieces. Divide them between 3 zip-top freezer bags, arranging cubes in a single layer. Freeze overnight.
HOW TO MAKE WATERMELON SLUSHIE
- Separate the frozen watermelon pieces (snap them apart) so there aren’t large chunks sticking together.
- In order to fit the ingredients in an average size blender, we’ll need to prep this recipe in thirds. So for each batch, add 1/3 of each ingredient to the blender jar: frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, agave nectar, and mint leaves. Pour in enough water so you’re not over-working the machine to blend the ingredients. Attach the lid. Make sure it’s firmly secured.
- Pulse the blender. Use the tamper. When the frozen watermelon cubes begin to break up, blend until the mixture reaches a slushie consistency. If the mixture is too thick add more water.
- Divide watermelon slushie between tall glasses. Garnish each glass with a small slice of watermelon, a slice of lime, and a few sprigs of fresh mint. For a nice serving presentation, transfer remaining drink to a beverage pitcher.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
KITCHEN SMARTS: When measuring cut pieces of fruit, leave your measuring cups in the drawer. Instead, use a large (8-cup) batter bowl that has cup measurements listed along the sides.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: A high-speed blender with tamper, or a large food processor.
MELTED WATERMELON SLUSHIE: When this beverage melts, it automatically becomes the base for watermelon limeade. Pour the slushie through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the solids. Squeeze in more lime juice, if desired, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, fill tall glasses 2/3 full with ice. Add sparkling water to the drink mixture. Pour watermelon limeade over ice.
KID-FRIENDLY IDEA FOR MELTED SLUSHIE: Make watermelon ice pops! Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid, about 12 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What’s your favorite non-soda beverage on a hot summer day? Do you crave icy drinks like this watermelon slushie? Do you look forward to making this easy recipe? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slushie is so delicious and refreshing! Everyone absolutely raved and loved it! I can’t wait to make this more often during the summer!
I’m in love with these watermelon slushies! They’re the best way to stay refreshed on the hot summer weekends. Bring on the warmer weather!
Slushies are wonderful during summer. So refreshing. I never tried watermelon slushie. But now I def will. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks!
This was so delicious and refreshing. I loved that I did not have to worry about all the sugar.
These look refreshing indeed! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I love the tip to use it as a base for Watermelon limeade if it melts. Genius!
What a great summer drink! Just a few ingredients and so easy to make. I can’t wait to try some variations. Yum!
I may never eat regular watermelon again! It’s honestly the perfect fruit to make into a slushie!
These are going to be so amazing this summer!
These slushies look like so much fun! Perfect for summer.
This looks so refreshing! Perfect for summer! Thanks for sharing. I’m making this soon.
Watermelon slushes are a summertime favourite for us! Love the addition of the lime and mint! Thanks for sharing :)