In the heat of the summer, nothing beats a refreshing watermelon slush! Made with frozen fresh watermelon, fresh citrus, and a boozy kick from watermelon vodka (optional), it’s a great way to beat the heat. Just grab your blender and get ready to sip!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Enjoy it your way. It’s just as delicious as a refreshing mocktail or with a splash of vodka for an easy cocktail!
- Perfect for a hot summer day. The icy, frosty texture is a refreshing way to cool off
- Fresh watermelon flavor. Every sip is bursting with juicy, naturally sweet watermelon and summery flavor!
- Quick and easy to make. Just blend a handful of simple ingredients and serve
- Perfect for entertaining. Make a large batch for cookouts, pool parties, or backyard gatherings
- Easy to customize. Add fresh mint, basil, lime, or your favorite spirit to make it your own!
- A great way to use extra watermelon. It’s a delicious way to put leftover watermelon to good use
- Naturally vibrant. Its beautiful pink color makes it a showstopper for any summer table
- Kid- and adult-friendly. Blend one batch, then leave it alcohol-free or add vodka to individual servings
- Ready in minutes. When you’re craving something cold and refreshing, this slush comes together in no time (so long as you freeze your watermelon in advance)!
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Ingredients List
- 2 cups frozen ripe watermelon cubes (freeze overnight)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)
- ¼ cup water (cold), watermelon juice, or watermelon vodka
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- The watermelon cubes will freeze together in a block if you just toss them in a bag (so be prepared to whack them and break them up). Alternatively, freeze flat on a baking sheet until solid, and then transfer to a zippered freezer bag to keep pieces separate
- If you want to add sweetener, use about 1 Tbsp simple syrup, honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup. I find it varies by personal preference and how sweet your watermelon is (so it may not be necessary at all)
- I like to garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or basil. However, for a stronger herbal flavor, add 2-3 fresh leaves into the blender with the rest of the ingredients!
- Going the boozy route and don’t have watermelon vodka? Try plain or citron vodka, or substitute gin or white rum instead (but the flavored vodka adds more intense watermelon flavor)
- For an extra fun touch, serve in the hollowed out watermelon rinds from where you removed the fruit to freeze it (a mini, seedless watermelon works best for this)!
Step By Step Instructions
- Add fully frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, and watermelon juice or vodka into your high speed blender (or a food processor works if you don’t have a blender)
- Blend on high (or a similar setting depending on your blender) until it reaches a slushy consistency. Scrape down the sides as needed. Adjust with extra water or juice to reach desired consistency if needed
- Pour into your hollowed out watermelon or your favorite glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint leaves or basil (optional), and a fun straw of course. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Whether you enjoy it as a refreshing mocktail or with a splash of vodka, a watermelon slush is icy, fruity, and perfect for warm weather! It pairs wonderfully with grilled foods, fresh salads, light appetizers, and summery desserts. Here are some of my favorites!
Cookout Favorites
- Cheeseburgers: A juicy burger is even better with a frosty watermelon slush
- Hot dogs: A classic summer pairing. Try any of my awesome Air Fryer Hot Dog Recipes!
- Pulled pork sandwiches: The sweet, smoky flavors complement the refreshing drink
- Grilled chicken: Lemon, garlic, or herb-marinated chicken is an excellent match. My Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast is a great choice!
- BBQ ribs: The cool slush balances rich barbecue flavors
Light Mains
- Fish tacos: Fresh citrus and watermelon are a natural combination
- Grilled shrimp skewers: Light seafood pairs beautifully with fruity flavors
- Chicken wraps: A simple lunch or picnic option
- Turkey sandwiches: Great for a casual summer meal
- Veggie flatbreads: Fresh vegetables and melty cheese make a delicious pairing
Appetizers & Snacks
- Caprese skewers: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil are a refreshing match
- Chips and salsa: A simple crowd-pleasing snack
- Guacamole: Creamy avocado complements the icy drink
- Fruit skewers: Watermelon, pineapple, grapes, and strawberries are perfect together
- Cheese and crackers: Mild cheeses pair well with the drink’s fresh fruit flavor
Fresh Sides
- Watermelon feta salad: Sweet, salty, and refreshing
- Cucumber salad: Crisp and cooling
- Pasta salad: A picnic favorite
- Coleslaw: Creamy slaw complements grilled foods
- Corn on the cob: A summertime staple. My Air Fryer Corn Recipes offer lots of options!
Desserts
- Lemon bars: Bright citrus flavors pair beautifully with watermelon
- Strawberry shortcake: A light, fruity dessert. Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake makes for a quick option!
- Fruit pizza: Colorful and perfect for sharing. Try my Air Fryer Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza!
- Sugar cookies: Simple and sweet without overpowering the drink
- Vanilla ice cream: Creamy, cool, and always a crowd-pleaser
Best Occasions
A watermelon slush is perfect for pool parties, backyard barbecues, beach days, picnics, birthday parties, Fourth of July celebrations, brunches, and casual summer afternoons.
Since it’s delicious with or without vodka, it’s an easy drink to serve a crowd where everyone can customize their own glass!
Recipe FAQs
What Happens If You Blend Frozen Watermelon?
Blending frozen watermelon creates a thick, icy texture that’s perfect for slushies and frozen drinks. Since the fruit is already frozen, you may not need to add as much (if any) ice, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful drink.
Can You Freeze Watermelon Slush?
Yes, you can freeze leftover watermelon slush in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, then stir or blend it again to restore its slushy consistency.
What Can I Mix With Frozen Watermelon?
Frozen watermelon pairs well with ingredients like lime juice, lemon juice, strawberries, pineapple, mint, basil, coconut water, sparkling water, lemonade, and ginger ale.
If you’re making an adult version, vodka, rum, tequila, and prosecco are all excellent additions that complement watermelon beautifully.
Tips For the Best Watermelon Slush
- This recipe scales well for a crowd. Simply adjust for the number of servings desired. You can pre-blend and store in the freezer until ready to enjoy (let it defrost for about 10-15 minutes and give it a quick pulse to loosen and re-blend it before serving)
- You can also pre-blend and strain your watermelon, then freeze the juice in ice cube trays for a clearer, less mealy drink (but I don’t find this necessary personally)
Serving and Presentation
- Serve immediately. A watermelon slush has the best texture right after blending while it’s thick, icy, and frosty!
- Use frozen watermelon for the best consistency. It creates a thicker slush without watering down the flavor like ice does
- Chill your glasses first. Pop them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to help keep the slush cold longer!
- Garnish for a finishing touch. Try a watermelon wedge, lime wheel, fresh mint sprig, fresh basil, or a few frozen watermelon cubes
- Dress up the rim. Rim the glass with coarse sugar or a mixture of sugar and lime zest for an extra-special presentation!
- Blend just until smooth. Overblending can cause the slush to melt and become thinner
- Serve with a straw and spoon. Depending on how thick your slush is, guests may appreciate having both!
- Offer optional mix-ins. Set out vodka, rum, tequila, sparkling water, or lemonade so everyone can customize their own drink from the base
Final Thoughts
This watermelon slush is a perfect summer drink for hot days! It’s cold, refreshing, and made with fresh watermelon so it’s got great fruity flavor and a lovely pink color as well. In fact, I love to use leftover watermelon from a cookout to make this delightful sip.
All you need is a handful of ingredients and a blender, so it’s easy to make as well! Customize it by adding herbs, different fruits, and even different citrus or other liquids to make it your own (or just to use what you have on hand).
It’s incredibly easy to make this without alcohol for a kid-friendly option, but I like to add watermelon vodka for a boozy option! If you enjoy that idea, check out all of my Watermelon Vodka Drinks for more seasonal sips!
Watermelon Slush (Vodka Optional)
Equipment
- Highball glass (or hollowed out mini watermelon; for serving)
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen watermelon cubes (cut and freeze a fresh melon overnight)
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice (or lemon)
- ¼ cup cold water, watermelon juice, or watermelon vodka
Instructions
- Add fully frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, and watermelon juice or vodka into your blender2 cups frozen watermelon cubes, 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice, ¼ cup cold water, watermelon juice, or watermelon vodka
- Blend on high (or a similar setting depending on your blender) until it reaches a slushy consistency. Scrape down the sides as needed. Adjust with extra water or juice to reach desired consistency if needed
- Pour into a hollowed out watermelon or your favorite tall glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or basil (optional), plus a straw and/or spoon. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to add sweetener, use about 1 Tbsp simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup. I find it varies by personal preference and how sweet your watermelon is (so it may not be necessary at all)
- I like to garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or basil. However, for a stronger herbal flavor, add 2-3 fresh leaves into the blender with the rest of the ingredients!
- Going the boozy route and don’t have watermelon vodka? Try plain or citron vodka, or substitute gin or white rum instead
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any swaps or additions, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline (for the cocktail version) only
Nutrition
