Description
A refreshing, hydrating summer drink that blends ripe watermelon and crisp cucumber with lime and mint, finished with sparkling water for a fizzy, celebratory finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 to 5 pounds (2–2.5 kg) ripe watermelon, rind removed and chopped into chunks (approx. 6 cups cubed)
- 2 large English cucumbers, chopped into chunks (about 400g)
- 2 large limes, juiced (about 4 tablespoons)
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 2–4 tablespoons simple syrup or granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2–3 cups (500-750ml) chilled plain sparkling water
- Ice for serving
- Optional garnishes: cucumber slices, mint sprigs, lime wheels
Instructions
- Wash the watermelon and cucumbers thoroughly. Cut the watermelon in half, slice off the rind, and chop the flesh into large chunks. Peel cucumbers if thick-skinned and chop into chunks.
- Add the watermelon chunks, cucumber chunks, lime juice, mint leaves, and simple syrup to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and vibrant pink, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl or pitcher to remove pulp (optional but recommended for a smoother texture).
- Taste the strained mixture and adjust sweetness or tartness with more simple syrup or lime juice if needed.
- Chill the fruit base in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, pour the chilled base into a large pitcher and add the sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.
- Pour over ice into glasses and garnish with cucumber slices, mint sprigs, and lime wheels.
Notes
[‘Choose a watermelon that is heavy for its size with a creamy yellow spot for best sweetness.’, ‘Add sparkling water last to preserve carbonation.’, ‘The base can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge; add fizz just before serving.’, ‘For a boozy version, add 1-2 ounces of tequila, vodka, or rum per glass.’, “Freeze watermelon chunks in advance to use as ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink.”]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 11
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: agua fresca, watermelon drink, cucumber cocktail, summer party drink, refreshing beverage, non-alcoholic, gluten-free, vegan, low calorie