Juicy, ripe red watermelon, frozen and blended into this refreshing, delicious and healthy watermelon slush! With just 3 main ingredients, this all natural, no sugar slushie recipe is the essential cool summer drink – low calorie too!
Surprise your kids with a yummy non-alcoholic watermelon slushie; this drink is cool, refreshing, slurp-able and so darn easy! Or make into a special, fun cocktail for a party!
If you love refreshing summer drinks, please run and make these fan favorites: Cherry Bomb Cocktail, Hibiscus Dark & Stormy, Frosted Lemonade, Blueberry Limeade, or this Passion Tea Lemonade (copycat Starbucks).
The inspiration for this drink came from my physical therapist; during a session we were chatting about what we were doing for the 4th of July and she mentioned that she always makes this drink. I needed no other prodding, I bought a watermelon and went to work!
Farmer’s Market Week
I am excited to join many other talented blogging friends this week as we highlight fresh recipes you can make using finds from your local Farmer’s Market. These ladies have created delicious and beautiful recipes that are linked at the bottom of this post.
My contributions to Farmer’s Market Week are this Watermelon Slushie, Zucchini Corn Fritters and this juicy Heirloom Tomato Pie, I hope you try them all!
Ingredients
Talk about easy, the hardest thing about this recipe is remembering to slice and freeze the watermelon!
- Seedless Watermelon | Cut into bite size chunks, frozen for at least 18-24 hours
- Water | Even though there is plenty of water in watermelon, you need a bit of water to help it slush.
- Mint | Fresh mint is optional, but adds bright minty essence to the watermelon slush!
- Lime Juice | Again, fresh is always best as it doesn’t have the off taste that bottled can sometimes have, the tart compliments the sweet of the watermelon.
Instructions
Don’t forget to FREEZE the watermelon into bite size chunks ahead of time, at least 18-24 hours.
Remove frozen watermelon from freezer and allow to “thaw” for 5-10 minutes before starting the watermelon slush process.
Place all of the ingredients, EXCEPT the water, into a high speed blender*, add half of the water and pulse to break up the watermelon.
No High Speed Blender? Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse to combine, a blender just makes this recipe easier for pouring.
You will probably have to stop the blender several times and use a long spatula to dislodge frozen chunks from the blender blades — BE SURE TO TURN OFF BLENDER before doing this step.
Add more water (or add vodka) to achieve your desired smooth, slushie blend.
If the mixture is too thick, simply add a little extra water and blend until desired consistency. Immediately pour into glass and serve.
Garnish | Optional, add wheel of lime, wedge of watermelon (or watermelon balls on a cocktail stick), and a sprig of mint.
TFC TIP | Whirring the watermelon in a high speed blender will add air, muting the colors of the drink into a lighter pink; as it sits, the watermelon red will start to pop back out, but it’s delicious any color!
How to Rim a Glass With Sugar
If you want to rim your glass with sugar, you can do it one of several ways.
- Using a piece of lime, run it around the rim of a glass, then pour about ⅛ of a cup of your favorite sugar onto a small plate and turn the glass upside down and twirl into the sugar.
- You can also wet some paper towels well and dip the glass pressing into the paper towels if you prefer not to have lime on the rim.
- I used all natural sprinkles, but regular white sugar, all natural cane sugar, or demerara sugar would all work great!
Substitutions
This recipe is naturally LOW CALORIE and SUGAR FREE and tastes delicious, if you want to switch it up:
- Sweeter | As long as your watermelon is fresh, this should not need any sweetener, but if you’d like it sweeter, add 1-2 tablespoons of simple syrup or maple syrup.
- Lemon for Lime | Switch up the citrus taste by using lemon juice instead of lime.
Variations
Here are all of the fun and favorite ways we’ve enjoyed this drink since first trying it!
- TROPICAL WATERMELON SLUSH | Add a splash or two of coconut water for a truly tropical drink, this is how my PT loves it.
- WATERMELON VODKA DRINKS | Replace 3-4 oz of water with 3-4 oz of vodka, blend until smooth, this vodka cocktail has become a favorite summer drink for me and my husband.
- WATERMELON VODKA COCKTAIL | Add vodka as described above, replace water with your favorite flavored seltzer water, our favorites are Limoncello or Coconut La Croix.
- FIZZY WATERMELON MOCKTAIL | Our sons enjoyed this with San Pellegrino Limonata, or try any lemon-lime soda.
Recommended Equipment
- High Speed Blender | I have a Vitamix, but this Ninja blender would also do a fantastic job!
- Spatula | A smoothie spatulas are very hand to loosen up chunks stuck in the blades, but a regular one would work great too!
- Rimming Sugar | I used this all natural pretty sugar to rim my glasses.
- Any glass will do for this watermelon slush, but if you want my look, I used these Riedel Glasses or try freezing one of these Schooners.
Storage
If you have leftover frozen watermelon slushies, pour into plastic freezer container and freeze. When ready to drink again, allow to sit on counter to soften slightly for 10-15 minute, then re-blend to smooth.
Since these blend up so quickly, I do not recommend blending ahead of time, unless you have room in your freezer to safely place filled glasses or the blender with the slushie in side of it.
TFC Top Tip
Farmer’s Market Week is always the first week in August. Whether you have a great local farm stand or market, are a member of a CSA or purchase your fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, follow our Pinterest board, for great recipes including those for appetizers, drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and more.Be sure to freeze your watermelon at least 18 hours before making this drink, this will yield the best watermelon slush.
The Fresh Cooky
Pairing Ideas
This recipe goes great with any meal!
- Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken
- Best Shish Kebab Marinade Ever
- Famous Flank Steak Marinade
- Easy Chicken Cobb Salad
- Best Chicken Salad with Tarragon
- Mediterranean Layered Dip
- Easy Tomato Bruschetta
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Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Equipment
- Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon cubes seedless, frozen
- 1 lime juiced
- 6-10 mint leaves washed (optional)
- ¾ cup water
- 3-4 oz vodka optional for cocktail version
Garnish
- Watermelon wedge or watermelon balls on a cocktail stick
- Wheel or wedge of lime
- Sprig of fresh mint
Instructions
- Don’t forget to FREEZE the watermelon into bite size chunks ahead of time, at least 18-24 hours.
- Remove frozen watermelon from freezer and allow to "thaw" for 5-10 minutes before starting the watermelon slush process.
- Place all of the ingredients, EXCEPT the water, into a high speed blender*, add half of the water and pulse to break up the watermelon.
- You will probably have to stop the blender several times and use a long spatula to dislodge frozen chunks from the blender blades — BE SURE TO TURN OFF BLENDER before doing this step.
- Add more water (or add vodka) to achieve your desired smooth, slushie blend. If the mixture is too thick, simply add a little extra water and blend until desired consistency. Immediately pour into glass and serve.
- Garnish | if desired, add wheel of lime, wedge of watermelon (or watermelon balls on a cocktail stick), and a sprig of mint.
- How to Rim a Glass With Sugar
- If you want to rim your glass with sugar, you can do it one of several ways.
- I take a piece of lime and run it around the rim of a glass, then pour about ⅛ of a cup of your favorite sugar onto a small plate and turn the glass upside down and twirl into the sugar.
- You can also wet some paper towels well and dip the glass pressing into the paper towels if you prefer not to have lime on the rim.
- I used all natural sprinkles, but regular white sugar, all natural cane sugar, or demerara sugar would all work great!
Notes
Substitutions
This recipe is naturally SUGAR FREE and tastes delicious, but you might want to sweeten it up more:- Sweeter | As long as your watermelon is fresh, this should not need any sweetener, but if you’d like it sweeter, add 1-2 tablespoons of simple syrup or maple syrup.
- Lemon for Lime | Switch up the citrus taste by using lemon juice instead of lime.
Variations
- TROPICAL WATERMELON SLUSH | Add a splash or two of coconut water for a truly tropical drink, this is how my PT loves it.
- WATERMELON VODKA DRINKS | Replace 3-4 oz of water with 3-4 oz of vodka, blend until smooth, this vodka cocktail has become a favorite summer drink for me and my husband.
- WATERMELON VODKA COCKTAIL | Add vodka as described above, replace water with your favorite flavored seltzer water, our favorites are Limoncello or Coconut La Croix.
- FIZZY WATERMELON MOCKTAIL | Our sons enjoyed this with San Pellegrino Limonata, or try any lemon-lime soda.
Nutrition
Here’s more Farmer’s Market Week Recipes
Starters and Drinks Recipes
- Baked Feta Pasta with Spinach by SueBee Homemaker
- Cheese Stuffed Banana Peppers by Savory Moments
- Dill Vinegar by Palatable Pastime
- Herb Cream Cheese Dip by Take Two Tapas
- Zucchini Walnut Bread by West Via Midwest
- Watermelon Slush by The Fresh Cooky
- Whipped Feta with Honey by Books n’ Cooks
- Zucchini Pico de Gallo Salsa by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Side Dishes Recipes
- Air-Fried Zucchini by Our Good Life
- Air Fryer Parmesan Squash Fries by Cookaholic Wife
- Brussels and Bowties by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Classic 3-Bean Salad by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Green Beans with Shallots by Family Around the Table
- Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata by House of Nash Eats
- Mexican Street Corn by Blogghetti
- Watermelon and Feta Salad by Life Love and Good Food
Main Dish Recipes
- Asparagus and Coconut Stir-Fry by Magical Ingredients
- Fresh Chicken and Veggie Pizza by The Freshman Cook
- Gluten Free Eggplant Parmesan by Frugal & Fit
Corrie
Super tasty and easy!
YAY! Love how easy they are!
Heather Beach
Such a refreshing drink, and the mint with the watermelon made it so delicious and perfect for a warm evening dinner party. It was a hit with all my guests. Can’t wait to have it again!
Oh you made my day! Love hearing this Heather, thank you for your kind words!
Radhika Sharma
Thanks for sharing this amazing list of refreshing coolants. Having soda is the last thing I want to do in summers, these summer drinks looks refreshing and I would love to try my hands on it too.
So glad you like the list of summer drinks!
Michaela Kenkel
These were so refreshing! Made the mocktail version for a baby shower – they were perfect!
Perfect for a baby shower!!
Nikki
So refreshing! I’m loving this recipe and think we will have it again this weekend by the pool!
Jealous of the pool! So glad you enjoyed it!
Sandra Shaffer
Such a refreshing slush. I’m trying to enjoy all the summer fruits as much as possible. This really hit the spot. Next time I’ll add a splash of vodka!
Debi
It’s so hot right now. I don’t care for this weather, so I had to make this slushy. It was cool and refreshing. I left the vodka out of mine.
I am with you on the heat, this slushie is on repeat in our house!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
This looks SO refreshing! I know my whole family is going to enjoy this.
Thank you Tasia!! I hope they do!
Ashley Lecker
Oh my goodness- this is everything I need for summer. I love watermelon, and the simplicity of this drink is calling to me. I also love the salted chili rim because that is delicious with the sweet cool watermelon!
Yes, so glad you love it!
Kathy
This was a huge hit at home! My kids are loving this (without the vodka of course!) and I am having a little fun cocktail that make me feel as if I was on vacation!
Amy (Savory Moments)
I had something like this several times in Thailand, but with a pinch of salt, and still make it at home on very hot days. So delicious and very refreshing!
I should have put that in there, I know many people love that little pinch of salt, I might make that an optional ingredient! So very refreshing!
Rebecca
Wow! This was such a refreshing summer time drink! I love watermelon anything and the non-alcoholic version was perfect for me and my family!
Lisa Kerhin
As soon as my cute cherry sugar crystals come in, this slushie will be made!
Haha! I love it!
Amy Nash
This is so pretty, fresh, and fun! I’ll take the mocktail version, thank you! Making this for me and my kids this week to cool down!
Thanks so much Amy!!
Jolene
Perfect patio sipping drink, with our without the vodka!
Yes it is! Thanks so much Jolene!
Hezzi-D
I’m all in for this vodka slush! This is a summer cocktail for sure!
Thanks Hezzi, for sure!
Radha
Lovely refreshing drink! Perfect for the season!
Thanks so much Radha!
The Freshman Cook
Such a pretty drink and it looks so full of flavor! So perfect for a hot day!
Thanks so much! It is so very flavorful!
karen @karenskitchenstories
I love to use watermelon in margaritas. I can’t wait to try it with vodka!
A watermelon margarita sounds fabulous too!
Jennifer
I can see myself drinking a few of these while lounging by the pool.
Invite me! 🙂
Terri Steffes
Fire it up for me! Ha! It looks refreshing.
Come on over, we’ll sit, sip and chat!
Julie Menghini
I had a huge watermelon and was looking for new recipes. We absolutely loved this one (me as is) John with a touch of gin.
Wendy Klik
Oh yeah…..I’ll take the high octane version….Thanks
Haha, you and me both Wendy!! Thank you!
Sheila Thigpen
So refreshing! I’m loving this recipe and think it’s just the thing for an afternoon pool party!
It is perfect for an afternoon pool party!