Hot summer days call for something cool, flavorful, and refreshing to help stay hydrated. And let’s be honest, plain water – even water with flavored ice cubes gets boring after a while. That is what I love about this watermelon cooler. It’s full of fresh sweet flavor and the carbonation is refreshing.
The other great things about this drink are that it is simple to make, packed with nutrition, and the ingredients can be prepped ahead and pulled together whenever you are ready.
What You Will Need to Make A Watermelon Cooler
Just 3 ingredients plus a little fresh mint if you’d like. This drink is super easy to make and comes together in no time!
Watermelon
The perfect fruit for hydrating! Watermelon is 92% water on its own. It’s also packed with vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is the compound that gives watermelon its bright red color. It has been associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancers including breast, prostate, and lung cancers as well as a reduced risk of heart disease.
You may think about tomatoes being the best source of lycopene, but 1, 2-cup serving of watermelon has more lycopene than a tomato!
I like a seedless watermelon for this recipe, but you can use a regular one too – just remove the seeds while you are cutting it.
Lime Seltzer Water
Something is so refreshing about a cool, fizzy seltzer water. Maybe it is the carbonation, or perhaps it’s that plus the added flavor but whatever it is, it works perfectly with the pureed watermelon in this drink.
For this easy recipe, I used a lime-flavored seltzer, but a plain or a berry-flavored seltzer would be delicious too.
Lime Juice
A bit of lime juice bumps up the acid in this drink and balances out the sweetness from the watermelon. It also gives it an extra burst of flavor.
Mint
Fresh mint is completely optional but adds a herby and fresh flavor.
How to Make it
This drink comes together in less than 5 minutes and the ingredients can be prepped ahead and stored in containers in the fridge until you are ready to pull it together. Because of the carbonation in the seltzer water, it’s best not to prepare it until you are ready to drink it.
Step 1 – Prep the Melon and the Lime Juice
Cut the melon into cubes. You can also cut the melon ahead of time and store it in a container in the fridge. Pull out what you need when you are ready.
Juice the lime. This can also be done ahead and stored in a container in the fridge.
Step 2: Puree the Watermelon and the Lime Juice
When you are ready for a cool and refreshing drink, place a cup of watermelon in the blender or blender cup and add the lime juice. You can add some mint if you want at this point too.
Puree the fruit until it is smooth.
Step 3: Make the Watermelon Cooler
Pour the pureed watermelon mix into a glass over ice. Slowly add a cup of seltzer water. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled too. Or you can make a batch for a party. Just puree the watermelon and lime juice ahead and pour the seltzer when you are ready to serve it.
Variations
This is a really fun alcohol-free drink for a party or just to sip on when you want something a little fancy but aren’t looking for a boozy drink. Pour it into a fancy glass with an umbrella and sugared rim to make it festive!
Now of course, if you want to add some alcohol, an ounce of vodka or gin would make this a nice refreshing cocktail to sip on.
Try different flavored seltzer waters could also be swapped for the lime seltzer for some creative variations.
Storage Tips
The ingredients can all be prepped ahead of time. Just assemble it just before you are ready to enjoy it or you’ll lose the nice bubbles from the carbonation.
Yes, you can freeze watermelon! Puree the watermelon and place it in resealable bags in 1-cup portions. Then take out what you need an hour or so before you are ready. The watermelon will thaw enough that you can puree it with the lime juice and you’ll have a super chill, slushie-like drink.
Other Recipes You Will Love
If you like this recipe you might also like:
Watermelon Cooler with Lime
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon cubes
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 cup lime seltzer water
- 2 mint leaves optional
Instructions
- Place the watermelon cubes, lime juice, and mint leaves if using, in the blender cup. Puree on high until liquified. About 1 minute.
- Pour the pureed watermelon mixture over ice cubes in a large glass.
- Slowly pour seltzer water in the glass and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and sprig of mint if desired.
