Refreshing Watermelon Lemonade: A Simple Recipe
Homemade watermelon lemonade is one of the most refreshing summer drinks you could make! This sweet-tart lemonade is bursting with the flavor of fresh watermelon. Serve it as-is or dress it up with vodka or gin for a simple cocktail.
If your weather is at all like ours here in Ohio, I’m going to bet that you’re on the hunt for super refreshing drinks to help you beat the summer heat.
Last year, I was pretty obsessed with my homemade strawberry lemonade – so much so that I purchased an electric juicer – which by the way also comes in pretty handy for my delicious lemon bars!
Although we’re still huge fans of the strawberry lemonade, this year, we’re all about watermelon lemonade!
It’s sweet, tart, super refreshing, and the perfect way to use our favorite summer fruit!
How to Make Watermelon Lemonade
I don’t know why, but for years I thought that making homemade lemonade would be kind of a hassle. I couldn’t have been more wrong!
This watermelon lemonade is simple to make and is one of the most refreshing drinks to sip on when the weather is hot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
In addition to water, you’ll only need 3 ingredients to make my homemade watermelon lemonade:
- Fresh seedless watermelon
- Fresh lemon juice
- Granulated sugar
Because there are so few ingredients in this lemonade, you’ll want to make sure you use freshly squeezed lemon juice (not the bottled stuff!) and look for a nice, flavorful watermelon.
How to Pick a Good Watermelon
Not sure how to pick a good watermelon? There are lots of different tricks out there, but I usually look for two things in a watermelon:
- A yellow spot: Look for a “field spot.” It should be yellow, not white; a yellow spot indicates the watermelon was left on the vine longer and will be more flavorful.
- A rounder melon that is heavy for its size: More uniform-shaped and heavier melons tend to be sweeter, even if people think of watermelons as more elongated.
By following these tips, I nearly always find a sweet, flavorful watermelon that’s perfect for making lemonade or delightful fruit salads.
Helpful Tools
If you’re going to be squeezing large amounts of lemon juice for homemade lemonade or lemon bars, you will definitely want an electric juicer or a citrus squeezer. This tool will help you get the most juice from the lemons with minimal effort.
You will also need a blender or a food processor to blend the fresh watermelon.
If your grocery store sells fresh watermelon juice, you could substitute that in place of making your own with cubed watermelon. You will need just over 2 cups of fresh watermelon juice.
Making this Watermelon Lemonade
The best homemade lemonade is sweetened with simple syrup. This method ensures that the lemonade does not have any grainy sugar settling at the bottom of the pitcher.
To make the simple syrup, heat 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan until the sugar completely dissolves. Allow this to cool before incorporating it into the lemonade.
After the syrup has cooled, puree the watermelon chunks in the blender, and then strain through a fine mesh sieve. You should yield a bit over 2 cups of smooth watermelon juice.
Next, mix together the simple syrup, watermelon juice, and lemon juice. Add cold water to achieve your desired sweet-tart balance – start with about 2 cups and adjust as necessary.
Serve this refreshing watermelon lemonade immediately or refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. Be sure to stir well before serving if it has been refrigerated.
Ways to Change Up This Recipe
This lemonade is delightful as is, but you can certainly add your personal twist!
Transform the pitcher into a delicious alcoholic beverage by adding 1 cup of vodka or gin in place of some of the water. Alternatively, allow guests to mix their own cocktails using the spirits you leave out on the table.
For a sparkling version, swap out still water for sparkling water. The added fizz will make the drink even more refreshing!
Get creative with flavored simple syrups! A mint simple syrup would enhance the watermelon beautifully.
More Refreshing Lemonade Recipes
If you love this watermelon lemonade, don’t hesitate to explore other delightful flavors!
My homemade strawberry lemonade is an absolute classic, making its way into my summer routine multiple times; once you try it, you’ll know why I keep returning to it!
If fruity lemonades are your thing, you must try raspberry lemonade too.
Did you know that vanilla adds a beautiful floral sweetness to lemonade? Vanilla lemonade is a perfect choice!
You’ll also love the vibrant hue and flavor of frozen mint lemonade. This refreshment is perfect for anyone looking to utilize an abundance of mint from their garden!
| Ingredients | Fresh seedless watermelon |
|---|---|
| Fresh lemon juice | |
| Granulated sugar | |
| Instructions |
Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved; let cool. Once the simple syrup has cooled, place the watermelon chunks in a blender, puree until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh sieve. You should end up with just over 2 cups of watermelon juice. In a large pitcher, combine the strained watermelon juice, simple syrup, and lemon juice. If using vodka or gin, add it to the pitcher and stir to combine. Add 2-4 cups of cold water to achieve your desired balance of sweetness and tartness. Serve over ice, garnishing with fresh watermelon, mint, and lemon slices if desired. |
