Watermelon Smoothie
This watermelon smoothie is the ultimate summer refresher, blending ripe watermelon with frozen strawberries and lime for a perfectly sweet, frosty drink that comes together in under five minutes.
Equipment
- High-speed blender - Vitamix, Blendtec, or similar for silky-smooth consistency
- Sharp knife - For cutting watermelon
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer - or reamer for the lime
- Tall serving glasses
- Reusable smoothie straws - optional but fun
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon - 600g, fresh seedless, cubed and chilled
- 1 cup frozen strawberries - 150g
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice - 30ml, about 1 lime
- 1/2 cup coconut water - 120ml, or plain water
- 1 tablespoon honey - or agave syrup, 15ml, optional, adjust to taste
For Garnish
- fresh mint leaves - optional
- lime wedges - optional, for garnish
For Creamy Version (Optional)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt - 120g, or coconut yogurt
Instructions
- Slice watermelon in half, cut into wedges, remove rind, and cube into 1-inch pieces. Measure out 4 cups of cold cubed watermelon.
- Roll lime on counter to break down membranes, slice in half, and juice. Measure out 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
- Place cubed watermelon in blender, then add frozen strawberries, coconut water, lime juice, and honey if using.
- Blend on low speed for 10 seconds, then increase to high speed and blend for 45-60 seconds until completely smooth and uniform in color.
- Taste and adjust sweetness with more honey or tartness with extra lime juice. Add more coconut water if thinner consistency is desired.
- Pour into tall glasses, garnish with mint and lime wedges, and serve immediately while cold and frosty.
Notes
- Use the ripest watermelon you can find for maximum natural sweetness. A ripe watermelon has deep red, sweet flesh and a hollow sound when tapped.
- Keep the watermelon cold before blending. Refrigerate cubed watermelon for at least an hour before making the smoothie for a frostier result.
- Don't skip the lime juice—it cuts through the sweetness and adds brightness that makes the smoothie taste more vibrant.
- Blend in stages if your blender isn't high-powered. Start on low and let it work through frozen strawberries before increasing speed.
- Serve immediately for the best consistency. Watermelon smoothies separate and lose their airy texture quickly, so drink within 15-20 minutes.
- Taste before sweetening. A truly ripe, in-season watermelon needs no added sweetener at all.
- For a creamier version, add 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt directly to the blender with the other ingredients.
- For a mint variation, add 8-10 fresh mint leaves to the blender. For a tropical twist, use full-fat coconut milk instead of coconut water.
- Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or re-blend before serving as separation occurs.
- Freeze leftover smoothie in popsicle molds or ice cube trays for up to 2 months. Re-blend frozen cubes with a splash of coconut water to reconstitute.