Description
A vibrant, refreshing frozen drink made with watermelon, mint, and lime. This simple, healthy, and customizable recipe is perfect for hot summer days and requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 pounds watermelon (yield about 6 cups cubed), preferably frozen
- 1 large bunch fresh mint leaves (about 1 cup packed)
- 3–4 fresh limes (yield about ½ cup juice)
- 2 cups cold water (adjust as needed)
- 1–2 cups ice (only if using fresh watermelon)
- 2–4 tablespoons sugar or honey (optional, to taste)
- Optional: ½ cup cucumber, peeled and chopped
- Optional: ½ teaspoon jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- Optional: 2 ounces tequila or rum per serving
Instructions
- Prep the watermelon: Cut, scoop, and cube the watermelon into about 6 cups. For best results, freeze the cubes on a baking sheet for at least 2 hours.
- Juice the limes: Cut limes in half and juice them to yield about ½ cup of fresh lime juice.
- Chop the mint: Wash and dry mint leaves, remove tough stems, and add about 1 cup of packed leaves to the blender.
- Blend: Add watermelon, mint, lime juice, and water to a high-speed blender. If using frozen watermelon, start with 1 cup of water. If using fresh watermelon and ice, use 2 cups water and 1-2 cups ice. Blend on high until smooth.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the mixture. Add sugar or honey if needed for sweetness, or more water/lime juice to adjust consistency and balance.
- Chill and serve: Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve over ice, garnished with mint and lime wedges.
Notes
Freezing the watermelon chunks creates a thick, slushy consistency without diluting the flavor with melting ice. Fresh mint is essential for the best flavor; dried mint does not work well. The drink can be made up to 24 hours ahead and stored in the fridge, though it may thicken and require blending or adding water before serving. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother texture if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: watermelon, mint, agua fresca, frozen drink, summer recipe, healthy drink, lime, refreshing, mocktail, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free