Watermelon Slush
A sweet, icy, and refreshing watermelon mocktail.
What is this drink?
Watermelon Slush is a naturally sweet, icy non-alcoholic blended drink made from fresh watermelon chunks, lime juice, and ice that is blended into a refreshing, hydrating frozen mocktail perfect for scorching summer days.
Why you'll love it
Watermelon's incredibly high water content and natural sweetness make it the perfect slush ingredient — it blends into a smooth, intensely flavored frozen drink that is refreshing, hydrating, and requires essentially no added sugar.
When to serve
The ultimate summertime mocktail for outdoor parties, beach days, poolside lounging, backyard barbecues, or any hot-weather occasion where something ice-cold and naturally refreshing is exactly what people need.
Pro tip
Cut watermelon into chunks and freeze them completely solid overnight before blending — using frozen watermelon instead of fresh watermelon plus ice produces a dramatically more intensely flavored, less watered-down final slush.
Fresh Watermelon
Ripe, seedless summer watermelon is the sole flavor star of this slush — its natural sweetness, high water content, and vibrant red-pink color produce a naturally perfect slush base with minimal additional ingredients.
Lime Juice
A small amount of fresh lime juice provides the essential tartness that transforms watermelon juice from flat and one-dimensional into a genuinely interesting, refreshing mocktail with lively citrus brightness.
Ice Cubes
Ice blended with the watermelon creates the frozen slush texture that distinguishes this from regular watermelon juice — using frozen watermelon eliminates the need for separate ice entirely.
Swap Options
Add fresh mint for a watermelon-mint slush with extra cooling freshness. Blend in fresh strawberries alongside the watermelon for a mixed-berry variation. Use coconut water instead of ice for a tropical, more hydrating version.
Blend ingredients
Blend watermelon, ice, lime juice, and sugar until smooth.
Tips:
- •Adjust sugar for sweetness.
Serve
Pour into glass and serve immediately.
Tips:
- •Optional: garnish with watermelon slice.
- Use ripe watermelon for natural sweetness.
- Add more ice for slushier texture.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Watermelon Mint Slush
Add a small handful of fresh mint leaves to the blender for a cooling, herbal dimension that amplifies watermelon's natural freshness dramatically. The mint's menthol quality makes this feel like the most refreshing thing possible on a hot summer day.
Watermelon Strawberry Slush
Add half a cup of fresh or frozen strawberries alongside the watermelon before blending for a mixed berry slush with deeper color and a more complex, layered sweetness. The strawberry's tartness balances the watermelon's mild sweetness beautifully.
Watermelon Coconut Slush
Replace the regular ice with frozen coconut water cubes for a tropical, hydrating slush that intensifies the cooling effect. The coconut water's subtle sweetness and electrolytes complement watermelon's natural hydrating properties for a genuinely refreshing variation.
Tools that make this drink come together
High-Powered Blender
A powerful blender processes frozen watermelon and ice into a completely smooth slush without any icy chunks. Blend in short pulses initially to break up large pieces, then blend continuously on high until the slush texture is perfectly uniform.
Fine Mesh Strainer (Optional)
Straining removes any remaining watermelon seeds and pulp fragments for a smoother, more refined slush. For a more casual, textured result you can skip straining — both approaches produce a delicious drink.
Wide-Mouth Cup or Bowl for Serving
A slush is thick enough that a wide-mouthed glass or bowl is more practical than a narrow glass. A wide straw is essential — standard straws clog with the thick, icy consistency and make drinking frustrating.
Can't Find These?
A food processor handles frozen watermelon nearly as well as a blender. Process in short bursts and scrape sides frequently. No wide straw? Eat the slush with a spoon — it works perfectly as a semi-frozen dessert as well as a drink.
The right glass makes a real difference
Wide-Mouthed Tumbler or Large Cup
A wide-mouthed tumbler or large clear cup is ideal for a watermelon slush — the wide opening accommodates the thick, icy consistency easily and allows a wide straw for comfortable drinking. Clear glass showcases the vivid pink-red color of the slush dramatically. A watermelon wedge balanced on the rim makes for a stunning visual garnish.
Alternatives
A large Mason jar with a wide-mouth lid and straw is a popular, casual option that suits the summer-party character of this drink. A smoothie bowl — served in a wide, shallow bowl with a spoon — creates a hybrid slush-dessert presentation that is equally valid.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Watermelon Feta Skewers
Bite-sized watermelon and feta cheese skewers create a cohesive watermelon-focused pairing where the salty, creamy feta amplifies the fruit's sweetness in both the food and the slush simultaneously.
Frozen Grapes
Simple frozen grapes alongside a watermelon slush create an ultra-cooling, all-frozen snack combination that is perfect for extreme heat. Both are refreshing, naturally sweet, and require almost no preparation.
Summer Rolls
Light, fresh Vietnamese summer rolls with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce pair beautifully with a cold watermelon slush. Both are refreshing and fresh-tasting, making this a natural warm-weather lunch combination.
Grilled Halloumi
The salty, slightly squeaky richness of grilled halloumi provides a satisfying savory contrast to the cold, sweet watermelon slush. The contrast between warm, golden halloumi and an icy pink slush is one of summer's great pleasures.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Freeze Watermelon Chunks in Advance
Cut watermelon into chunks and freeze on a flat tray before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen watermelon chunks can be stored for up to three months and blend directly into a slush without any additional ice needed.
Blend and Freeze Slush Ahead
Blend the slush and pour into a freezer-safe container up to 4 hours ahead. Remove 10 minutes before serving, stir vigorously to break up ice crystals, and serve immediately for a refreshing slush with perfect consistency.
Make Watermelon Ice Cubes
Blend and strain watermelon juice into ice cube trays. These watermelon ice cubes can be re-blended into an instant slush with just a handful of cubes and a brief blend — a 30-second slush whenever you want one.
Keep Pre-Cut Watermelon Ready
Keep a container of cubed watermelon in the fridge for up to 3 days. Having pre-cut watermelon ready makes blending a fresh slush a 2-minute task at any point during a summer gathering.
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