This Frozen Watermelon Lemonade blends sweet, icy watermelon with tangy lemon for the ultimate hot-weather refreshment. Perfect for cookouts, pool days, or whenever you need a quick, cooling treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Table of Contents
Jump to:
- Fresh Watermelon Slushie for the Win!
- Ingredients and Steps
- Culinary Glossary
- Instructions with Pictures
- Equipment
- Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Storage Instructions
- Five Prepping Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Sweet Recipes
- Try with Spicy Food Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- Have a Comment or Question?
Fresh Watermelon Slushie for the Win!
There’s nothing quite like a tall glass of frozen watermelon lemonade on a hot day. This quick and easy drink blends sweet, juicy watermelon with tangy fresh lemon juice into a frosty slush that’s perfect for summer barbecues, poolside lounging, or a midday cool-down.
Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s naturally hydrating, loaded with vitamin C, and can be customized with herbs like mint or basil for an extra burst of flavor. Whether you serve it kid-friendly or give it an adult twist with a splash of your favorite spirit, this watermelon lemon slushie is a refreshing treat you’ll want to make on repeat.
Watermelon Nutrition Benefits? Check out Why Watermelon Should Be Part of Your Diet by the Cleveland Clinic.
Customization Tips to Remember
- Add Fresh Herbs – Blend in a handful of fresh mint, basil, or rosemary before serving for a fragrant herbal twist.
- Make It Boozy – For an adults-only version, stir in 1–2 ounces of vodka, white rum, or gin just before serving.
- Switch Up the Citrus – Replace the lemon juice with lime juice for a tangier flavor or use a mix of both for a tropical balance.
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Ingredients and Steps
For this straightforward recipe, blend frozen watermelon chunks with ripe strawberries (optional), fresh lemon juice, and coconut sugar.
Culinary Glossary
This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.
- Purée – To blend ingredients into a smooth, lump-free consistency using a blender or food processor.
- Slushie – A semi-frozen drink made by blending ice (or frozen fruit) with liquid until it forms a thick, icy texture.
- Simple Syrup – A liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, often used in cold drinks so the sugar blends evenly.
- Garnish – An edible decoration, such as lemon slices or mint leaves, added to enhance the appearance and flavor of a dish or drink.
- Zest – The colorful outer peel of citrus fruit that contains aromatic oils and adds bright, fresh flavor.
Instructions with Pictures
Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.
Whenever I need to freeze fresh items, I use a sheet pan for a flat surface with parchment paper to prevent sticking with easy release.
For instance, spread all the ingredients out to prevent sticking if moisture is in the food during freezing. Spreading out also helps with decreasing the freezing time.
Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe with ease:
- Blender - Used to make the watermelon lemonade slushy. To develop this recipe, I used the Vitamix Professional Series Blender. I've used Vitamix for years, even in the professional kitchen.
- Citrus Squeezer - Can be used to make freshly squeezed lemon juice. I used my KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer.
- Sheetpan - For laying out the watermelon chunks to freeze, like the highly rated Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet Pan.
Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
Find a collection of my reviews of kitchen equipment that I have purchased or recommend. Kitchen Must-Haves - Find other tools I use here.
My Review: We've been using the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender for over 5 years, and it continues to perform flawlessly, just as powerful and reliable as day one. This blender is a commercial kitchen favorite for good reason: it blends everything from smooth mango purees to nut butters and soups with ease, and the self-cleaning feature makes cleanup a breeze. It's 64 oz. Low-profile container fits perfectly under most cabinets, and if you're serious about quality, this is the blender to invest in.
My Review: This lemon squeezer is still working great. Lemons are so big now! This larger squeezer is really helpful. When they designed this tool, they thought of everything! It's definitely a must-have. It easily fits extra-large lemons, collects the seeds, and has a strainer and spout for pouring out the juice! You can quickly squeeze multiple lemons while preserving the juice in its reservoir. Preparing for my Frozen Watermelon Lemonade recipe was a breeze. It's very convenient, and there are fewer materials to clean afterward.
My Review: The Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pans are a must-have in my kitchen! Despite frequent use, these pans haven’t warped once, which is impressive. I did accidentally run one through the dishwasher, causing the color to change, so I recommend sticking to handwashing as suggested. To avoid hard-to-remove baked-on food, use a silicone liner—it makes cleanup so easy. These pans are durable, reliable, and well worth the investment!
Substitutions
Dairy Free
- Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.
Gluten-Free
- Bonus! This recipe is also gluten-free.
Vegetarian
- Triple threat! This recipe is also vegetarian.
Convenience
- Sweetener – Swap granulated sugar with honey, maple syrup, agave, or a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Adjust to taste since sweetness levels vary.
- Citrus – Use lime juice instead of lemon for a tangier, tropical flavor or a blend of both for a balanced citrus punch.
- Watermelon – If fresh watermelon isn’t available, use frozen watermelon cubes from the store or freeze fresh cubes ahead of time for convenience.
- Herbs – Replace fresh mint with basil or rosemary for a unique herbal twist.
- Liquid Base – For a more tropical drink, swap some or all of the water with coconut water or sparkling water for a bubbly finish.
Variations
- Quicker Methods - Use already prepared frozen watermelon that comes in a bag. You can also use already prepared lemonade (not lemon drink) and reduce the amount of sugar from the recipe to at least half.
Storage Instructions
Frozen watermelon lemonade is best enjoyed immediately for the freshest flavor and texture. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
When ready to serve, let the mixture sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes, then break it up with a spoon or give it a quick blend to restore its slushy consistency. Avoid refrigerating the blended drink, as the ice will melt quickly and dilute the flavor.
Five Prepping Tips
Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab.
- Freeze Watermelon in a Single Layer – Spread cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet before freezing to prevent them from clumping together.
- Chill the Glasses – Pop serving glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before pouring to help keep the drink icy longer.
- Adjust Sweetness Last – Blend all ingredients, taste, and then add more sweetener if needed since watermelon sweetness varies by ripeness.
- Blend in Batches – If your blender is small, work in batches to ensure a smooth, even texture without overworking the motor.
- Use Crushed Ice for a Lighter Texture – If you prefer a fluffier slushie, add a handful of crushed ice during blending for extra volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can use a food processor instead, or mash the frozen watermelon by hand with a potato masher, though the texture will be chunkier.
Use less sugar or sweetener, or increase the amount of lemon juice to balance the flavor with more acidity.
Fresh lemon juice is best for flavor, but bottled lemon juice works in a pinch—just check for added preservatives or flavorings.
Look for a creamy yellow field spot, a uniform shape, and a hollow sound when tapped.
Yes. Stir in 1–2 ounces of vodka, white rum, or gin per serving for an adult version.
More Sweet Recipes
Looking for other sweet recipes like this? Try these:
- Mango Coconut Felato | Ninja Creami Gelato-Style Treat
- Easy Air Fryer S'mores Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Peanut Chocolate Caramel Candy Bar No-Churn Ice Cream
- Mango Cookies and Cream No‑Churn Ice Cream | Easy Homemade Recipe
Try with Spicy Food Recipes
Pair those sweet treats with something spicy!
- How to Make Ata Gige Paste – A Nigerian Aromatic Base for Cooking
- A Quick Look at Haitian Flavor with Pikliz-Style Citrus Slaw
- Jerk Fajita Trio: 3 Must-Try Recipes for a Spicy Weeknight Cook-Up
- Air Fryer Chicken and Pork Belly Tacos | Easy & Crispy
📖 Recipe
Frozen Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen seedless watermelon 1-inch pieces
- 5 whole strawberries optional
- 2 small lemons freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup organic coconut sugar
Equipment
Instructions
- Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Freeze the Watermelon: Dice the watermelon into 1-inch pieces, lay it out on the sheet pan with parchment paper, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Make the Frozen Lemonade: Add all ingredients to the blender, and blend on the lowest speed to high until the consistency of a slushy. If it does not blend right away, add ¼ cup of cold water until it can blend smoothly.
- Serve: Pour into your favorite cup and drink! This recipe makes 8 ounces per serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Chef Maika Frederic
Chef and Educator
Haitian-American chef and educator Maika Frederic blends bold flavors with approachable recipes. With a background in both professional kitchens, classrooms, and children therapy—as a trained chef, former teacher and technician—she brings a thoughtful, inclusive touch to every dish. Through her platform, Just Maika Cooking, she shares diverse meals and practical tips to empower home cooks of all ages and levels.
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