This watermelon slushie is icy, sweet, and so incredibly refreshing. It's made with frozen watermelon cubes blended with a simple lemon syrup until it's smooth and slushy, and the result is a bright pink drink that tastes like pure summer. I started making these a few years ago when my kids were begging for something cold and sweet on a sweltering afternoon, and it's been our go-to treat ever since.
If you love icy summer drinks like Peach Lemonade or Strawberry Iced Tea, this watermelon slushie will become your new favorite. Serve it at pool parties, barbecues, or just make a batch for yourself alongside something refreshing like Italian cream soda.
Why You'll Love This watermelon slushie
This watermelon slushie is ridiculously easy to make. You freeze the watermelon ahead of time, make a quick simple syrup, blend everything together, and you're done. It's naturally sweet and healthy, made with real fruit and no artificial flavors or colors.
Kids absolutely love it, and adults can spike it with vodka or tequila for a fun summer cocktail. Plus, it's a great way to use up watermelon that's taking up space in your fridge. Whether you're cooling off on a hot day or serving a crowd, this slushie is a total winner.
Jump to:
watermelon slushie ingrediants
Here's everything you need to make this icy, refreshing watermelon slushie.
Seedless watermelon, cubed: The star of the slushie. Freezing it first gives you that slushy, icy texture without needing to add extra ice.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the simple syrup and balances the tartness of the lemon juice.
Water: Combines with the sugar to make a simple syrup that blends smoothly into the slushie.
Large lemon (or 2 small lemons), juiced: Adds brightness and a tart citrus note that makes the watermelon flavor pop.
How to Make Watermelon Slushie
This icy summer drink comes together in just a few simple steps.
- Freeze watermelon: Place the cubed watermelon in a single layer on a wax paper or parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours or overnight. Freezing the watermelon in a single layer prevents the cubes from sticking together and makes them easier to blend.
- Make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and the sugar has completely dissolved. This should only take a few minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and let the syrup cool completely before using. You can speed this up by putting it in the fridge.
- Blend slushie: In a high-powered blender, combine the frozen watermelon pieces with the cooled simple syrup. Blend on high speed, using the tamper if needed to push the frozen fruit down toward the blades, until the mixture is smooth and slushy. If your blender is struggling, let the watermelon sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly, or add a tablespoon or two of water to help it blend.
- Serve and enjoy: Pour the slushie into cups and serve immediately with a spoon or straw. The slushie is best enjoyed right away while it's icy and smooth.
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
This watermelon slushie is easy to customize based on what you have or what you prefer.
Sweetener: Swap granulated sugar for honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup made ahead of time. Adjust the sweetness based on how sweet your watermelon is.
Citrus: Use lime juice instead of lemon juice for a watermelon limeade slushie.
Herbs: Add fresh mint or basil to the blender for a refreshing herbal twist.
Berries: Blend in a handful of frozen strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a mixed berry watermelon slushie.
Sparkling version: Top the slushie with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy treat.
Adult version: Add a splash of vodka, tequila, or rum to make it a frozen cocktail.
What to Serve with Watermelon Slushie
This watermelon slushie is refreshing on its own, but it pairs beautifully with all kinds of summer foods. Serve it alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ chicken at your next cookout for a sweet, cooling contrast to smoky flavors. It's perfect with light summer salads like a crisp Caesar or a fresh caprese with tomatoes and mozzarella. For a fun party spread, pair it with chips and salsa, fruit skewers, or a cheese and cracker platter.
EQUIPMENT
Here's the simple gear that makes this watermelon slushie come together easily.
Vitamix or high-powered blender: Essential for blending frozen fruit into a smooth, slushy consistency. A regular blender may struggle with the frozen watermelon.
Wax paper or parchment-lined baking sheet: For freezing the watermelon cubes in a single layer so they don't stick together.
Small saucepan: For making the simple syrup on the stovetop.
How to Store Watermelon Slushie
This slushie is best enjoyed fresh, but here's how to handle leftovers.
Refrigerator: Store leftover slushie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. It will lose its slushy texture and become more liquid, but you can re-blend it with a few ice cubes to bring back the texture.
Freezer: You can freeze the slushie in an airtight container or ice cube trays for up to 1 month. When you're ready to enjoy it, let it thaw slightly, then re-blend until smooth.
Frozen Watermelon: Keep extra frozen watermelon cubes in a freezer bag for up to 3 months so you can make slushies anytime.
Serving Suggestions
This watermelon slushie is delicious on its own, but here are a few ways to enjoy it.
Serve it in fun cups with colorful straws for kids' parties. Pour it into popsicle molds and freeze for homemade watermelon popsicles. Top with a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy version. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a lime wedge for a pretty presentation.
Expert Tips
Here are a few tricks to make sure your slushie turns out smooth, icy, and perfectly balanced.
Use ripe, sweet watermelon: The sweeter your watermelon, the better your slushie will taste. Taste the watermelon before freezing to make sure it's flavorful.
Freeze in a single layer: This prevents the watermelon cubes from freezing into one big clump and makes them easier to blend.
Let frozen watermelon soften slightly: If your blender is struggling, let the frozen watermelon sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before blending.Use a high-powered blender: A Vitamix or similar blender makes the process so much easier. Regular blenders may not be powerful enough to handle the frozen fruit.
FAQ
What to put in a watermelon slushie?
A basic watermelon slushie needs frozen watermelon, sugar, water, and lemon juice. You can also add fresh mint, lime juice, berries, or a splash of sparkling water for extra flavor. For an adult version, add vodka, tequila, or rum. Some people like to add a pinch of salt to bring out the sweetness of the watermelon. My grandma used to sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on fresh watermelon slices, and it's a trick that works beautifully in slushies too.
Can I blend Watermelon Slushie and freeze it?
Yes, you can blend fresh Watermelon Slushie into a puree and then freeze it, but the texture will be different from freezing the watermelon first and then blending it. If you freeze blended watermelon, it will freeze solid and you'll need to let it thaw slightly before re-blending. For the best slushy texture, it's better to freeze the watermelon cubes first, then blend them with the syrup. That way, you get a smooth, icy consistency without any extra ice or water.
How do you make a watermelon slushie for kids?
This watermelon slushie is already kid-friendly and made with simple, natural ingredients. Just freeze the watermelon cubes, make the lemon simple syrup, blend everything together, and serve. Kids love the bright pink color and sweet, fruity flavor. You can adjust the sweetness based on your kids' preferences and skip any alcohol, of course. It's a healthier alternative to store-bought slushies and a fun way to get kids to eat more fruit.
What is good to mix with Watermelon Slushie?
Watermelon Slushie pairs beautifully with citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange. It also works well with berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Herbs like mint and basil add a refreshing twist, and cucumber is another classic pairing for a light, spa-like drink. In slushies and cocktails, watermelon mixes well with vodka, tequila, rum, and even prosecco. For this slushie, the lemon juice is the perfect match because it brightens the watermelon flavor and adds a tangy balance.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Watermelon Slushie
Watermelon Slushie
Ingredients
Method
- Place cubed watermelon in a single layer on a wax paper or parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours or overnight.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and allow to cool completely.
- Add the frozen watermelon cubes and the cooled simple syrup to a high-powered blender. Puree until smooth and creamy.
- Portion the slushie into glasses, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Leave a Reply