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This cooling watermelon slushie has been my go-to drink during hot summer days. It hits just the right notes of sweetness, tang, and mint in a frosty blend that everyone from kids to grandparents absolutely loves.
I first threw this slushie together during an unbearable hot spell last summer when cooking anything felt impossible. Now my family begs for these bright pink treats whenever the thermometer passes 85.
Ingredients
- Seedless watermelon cubes: They're the star of our drink, bringing natural sweetness and that gorgeous pink color. Pick a ripe one that sounds hollow when you knock on it.
- Maple syrup: Adds just a hint of sweetness without taking over the watermelon taste. Don't use the fake breakfast stuff.
- Fresh lime juice: Brings that zippy tartness that cuts through sweetness perfectly. Give your lime a good roll before squeezing to get more juice out.
- Fresh mint or basil leaves: You can skip this but they really make it special by adding amazing scent and flavor that takes this drink up a notch.
- Filtered water: Helps create that slushy texture. The water quality matters since it's a big part of the drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon:
- Slice a seedless watermelon into 1-inch chunks and stick them in the freezer for at least a full day. Using frozen melon gives you that perfect slushy feel without watering down the flavor with ice.
- Partial defrost:
- Let your frozen melon bits sit out for about 5-10 minutes. This little bit of softening helps your blender work better and saves the motor while still keeping everything nice and frosty.
- Combine ingredients:
- Throw 10 cups of frozen watermelon pieces, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, juice from one big lime, 1/4 cup loosely packed mint or basil, and 1 1/2 cups filtered water into your high-powered blender.
- Pulse and blend:
- Start by hitting pulse a few times to break up the big frozen chunks. This stops air bubbles from forming around the blades. Once it's broken down a bit, blend it all smooth until you get a thick, slushy mix that looks like a frozen margarita.
- Taste and adjust:
- Give it a quick taste and add more maple syrup if needed. Watermelons can be super different in sweetness, so go with what tastes good to you. If it's too thick to blend well or drink easily, add small splashes of water until it's just right.
- Serve immediately:
- Pour into four cold glasses for best results. Top with extra mint leaves and tiny watermelon wedges if you're feeling fancy. Give everyone a straw and spoon for the full slushy experience.
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Fresh mint really makes all the difference in this drink. I actually grow mint in my backyard just for summer refreshers like this one. When you blend it in, those amazing mint oils get released and create a taste that plain watermelon just can't beat.
Tasty Twists
For the grown-ups, try swapping some or all of the water with vodka or white rum for a summery adult beverage. Start by replacing just 1/2 cup of water with your booze of choice and adjust to your liking. The sweet watermelon flavor works amazingly well with spirits.
Make Ahead Options
While this slushy tastes best right after you blend it, you can get things ready ahead of time. Cut and freeze watermelon in batches during summer when melons are tastiest and cheapest.
Selecting The Perfect Watermelon
How good this drink turns out really depends on starting with a sweet, ripe watermelon. Try to find one that sounds hollow when you tap it. Look for a yellowish spot on the bottom where it sat on the ground while growing—that's a sign it's ripe.
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Take a sip of summer with every gulp of this amazing frosty treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is mint or basil necessary?
No, they're totally optional, but they bring a mild herbal edge that really boosts the lime and watermelon combo.
- → How do I make it sweeter?
To amp up the sweetness, simply stir in more maple syrup. Start small, like 2 tablespoons, and adjust gradually.
- → What can I use instead of water?
Try sparkling water for bubbles or coconut water for a tropical twist with extra hydration.
- → Can this drink be prepped earlier?
You’ll want to drink it fresh, but you can freeze some in ice cube trays, then reblend when ready.
- → What blender works the best?
A high-speed blender blends smoothly, but a regular blender can get the job done too. Just blend longer if needed.