This pretty pink Watermelon Slushie is a refreshing, icy drink. Made with just 4 ingredients, it’s easy to make a big batch and perfect for summer entertaining. Add a splash of white rum to turn it into a daiquiri-style cocktail!
Another TikTok trend, another day of recipe testing to make sure it’s worthy of your time! I thought of making this as a way to use up half a watermelon left over in my fridge after making Watermelon Fries with my friend and fellow Melbourne foodie, Sarah Brown. Plus, with the weather starting to warm up here in Australia, I figured now was the perfect time to test out whether Watermelon Slushies were worth the hype. I’m happy to confirm YES, and you must add this to your list of must-try drinks for summer. If you’re looking for a fun snack to pair it with, and are a sucker for food trends like me, then definitely try pairing it with one of these: Oil Free Chips, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, or an Upside Down Puff Pastry.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Nostalgic throwback – Watermelon Slushies are a nostalgic, fun, grown-up version of the childhood favorite, but without all the sugar and artificial colors.
- Refreshing – icey, light, sweet (but not too sweet) with a hint of lemon, this is the perfect hydrating drink to cool you down on a hot summer’s day. If you’re looking for healthy drinks you can enjoy on the go, be sure to check out my friend Bella’s guide to sugar-free Starbucks drinks.
- Easy entertaining – scale this recipe up and make a large amount with almost no extra effort. Its vibrant pink color is presented beautifully in a tall glass and is sure to impress your guests at your next BBQ.
- Make it a cocktail – now, I love non-alcoholic mocktails like this, *but* if you want to spice things up, just add a splash of white rum or vodka. Voila! You now have a daiquiri-style cocktail. Another summery alcoholic drink are these green tea shots – so cooling and yum!
Ingredients
There’s a list of ingredients with quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a shopping list for your convenience. Luckily, it’s a short one, haha. Try to get a nice ripe and sweet watermelon; it does make a big difference to the final result. And if you are looking to add a white rum twist to it, you can check out Flaviar’s best white rums for the best picks!
- Watermelon
- Fresh mint
- Lemon
- Maple syrup
How to make a Watermelon Slushie
Well, the good news is, my friend, it’s very easy! Detailed instructions with specific quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a brief overview:
Step one: Trim the green rind off your watermelon and slice it into chunks. I made mine pretty big as I have a strong blender, but if yours is on the weaker side, then make your chunks smaller.
Step two Freeze your watermelon chunks really well. For at least 24 hours, overnight won’t cut it. Add mint leaves (no stems), lemon juice, frozen watermelon, water, and maple syrup (optional) to a high-powered blender.
Step three: Blend baby! It will be THICK, so use a tamper if you have one, or stop and scrape down the sides as you go. You can also add an extra splash of water if needed. Taste test it before you serve, and add extra maple syrup if you’d like it sweeter. The sweetness will also depend a lot on the ripeness of your watermelon, so you might need to adjust the syrup amount depending on your fruit. If in doubt, leave it out, then add it in after tasting it at the end!
Step four: Serve in tall glasses with a wedge of lemon and mint leaves to garnish. Oh, and a straw! You’ll definitely need a straw to drink this, or things will get very messy very quickly.
Storage instructions
Watermelon slushies are best consumed immediately, as the texture will slowly become watery as they melt. There is no storage solution once they have been made. Luckily, if you’ve already frozen your watermelon in advance, it is very quick to whip up a batch.
Watch me make this recipe
I hope you have fun making up a batch of watermelon slushies! Let me know what you think in the comments below. You can totally mix this slushie up by adding other fruits too—dragon fruit works beautifully if you’ve got some on hand. Make sure to also try my Pumpkin Smoothie, Tropical Smoothie, or Beet Juice for another fun, unique drink, or if you’re looking for snacks to go with your slushie, try out my viral Buffalo Cauliflower Wings or Blueberry Yogurt Bites for another sweet, cold option.
Watermelon Slushie (easy, 4 ingredients!)
Equipment
- High powered blender
Ingredients
- 5.5 lb watermelon rind removed; cut into chunks; approx. 2.5 kg
- ½ bunch fresh mint leaves only; approx. 15g
- 1 lemon juiced; approx. 2 tbsp juice / 28g
- 3 tbsp maple syrup optional; approx. 64g
- 1 cup water approx. 8 oz / 227g
To garnish (optional):
- Lemon wedges
- Mint leaves
Instructions
- Trim the watermelon, remove the rind, and cut the flesh into large chunks. Place the chunks in a single layer on a lined baking sheet or tray and freeze for at least 24 hours, or until solid.
- Pick the mint leaves from the stems and discard the stems.
- Add the frozen watermelon, mint leaves, lemon juice, maple syrup (if using), and water to a high-powered blender.
- Blend, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture becomes a thick, slushie-like consistency. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to help it blend or if you prefer a thinner texture.
- Serve immediately in tall glasses. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh mint leaves if desired.
Hong Nguyen says
Quick and tasty, thumbs up.
Tine says
this slushie is so refreshing and so easy to make!!