Watermelon Juice
Watermelon juice is so simple to make with a blender. Refreshingly sweet and hydrating, it's perfect for a hot summer day. Learn how to make it here!
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 22, 2024
Yesterday evening, I made a pitcher of sweet, refreshing watermelon juice to keep me hydrated while I packed up my house.
It took me back to San Pedro Island, where I sipped watermelon juice under the shade of a palm tree earlier this month.
We walked down the beach to Estel’s, where we enjoyed a leisurely, traditional Belizean breakfast—scrambled eggs, refried black beans and fry jacks, complete with watermelon juice. It was a good start to a very good day.
How to Make Watermelon Juice
Watermelon juice couldn’t be easier to extract. You don’t need a fancy-schmancy juicer, just a blender.
Scoop the watermelon into the blender, blend for about thirty seconds, and ta da! You’ve made watermelon juice.
Taste your juice straight from the blender. If you like it as is, you don’t need to strain it.
If your watermelon had seeds in it, or you want your juice to be less pulpy, pour it through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. Easy!
If your juice separates as it sits, give it a little whirl with a spoon. If you’re thinking about adding a splash of tequila or white rum… I can verify that that is indeed a good idea.
Watch How to Make Watermelon Juice
Watermelon Juice Nutrition
As you would expect, watermelon juice is good for you. It’s high in vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. It’s about 92% water, so it’s plenty hydrating, too (nutrition source).
I thought my juice was perfectly sweet without any added sugar, but I added a squeeze of lime juice for that extra zing.
Watermelon Juice Recipe
Refreshing, naturally sweet watermelon juice couldn’t be easier to make in a blender. Yield will vary based on the size of your watermelon, but my 6.5-pound watermelon yielded about 5 cups of juice.
Ingredients
- 1 small sweet watermelon (a 6 pounder will do)
- 1 small lime, juiced (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the watermelon in half. Using a big spoon, scoop chunks of sweet watermelon into the blender. Discard the rind.
- Blend the watermelon until it is totally pulverized. This shouldn’t take more than a minute. For extra flavor, squeeze the juice of one small lime into the blender and blend for a few seconds.
- If your watermelon is notably pulpy or seeded, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. If not, you can pour it directly into glasses filled with ice. Watermelon juice will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days. The juice will separate over time; stir it with a spoon to recombine.
Notes
Watermelon selection: Your juice will only be as good as your watermelon, so find a good one at a farmer’s market or health store. Look for a watermelon that is heavy for its size, round, dark and dull (versus shiny) with a yellow field spot.
Change it up: You can make cantaloupe juice using the same method! You can also turn your watermelon juice into popsicles by pouring the juice into a popsicle mold and freezing until solid. You might also like my melon cocktails—try the watermelon cucumber cooler or cantaloupe fiesta cocktail.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I love juice recipes that don’t use any processed sugar, very yummy and healthy as well.
Thanks Kate for this recipe!. I came across it yesterday and i already had frozen watermelon at home. Couldn’t wait to do this. It was very refreshing, quick and simple to do. Now i would be buying some more watermelon before the end of the season.
Thanks, KD! I never thought to make the juice with frozen watermelon. Glad you liked it!
This is a tried recipe and taste really good
Very refreshing and healthy drink, I can’t stay without it during summer.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. :)
Really great presentation…..thumbs up..to this :)
Hi,
Your recipe sounds very refreshing and am going to try it. Can you please explain why do we need to add lime juice. Can this be optional?
Hi! The lime juice is optional. I just felt like the lime enhanced the watermelon flavor, but you can skip it!
Great recipe! I like that you removed the sugar and added lime. I learned how to make watermelon juice in a small Belize village where I have just opened a small restaurant and sugar is always added. I think our guests will like it better this way. Especially based on how sweet watmelon is here in Belize. Thanks!!
GREAT IDEA..YOU CAN EVEN USE THOSE WITH SEEDS..JUST USE A POTATO MASHER OR USE YOUR HANDS OVER A STRAINER,,YOU DON’T NEED A BLENDER WITH THIS METHOD…LOVE, MOMMA DORIS..KEEP SENDING GREAT RECIPES..THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS…
You sure it is called Estel’s and not “Elvie’s”?
How long will it last?
Watermelon is my passion. Thanks for this recipe. It’s awesome tasty and healthy)
Thanks! I had no idea that it is that simple to make watermelon juice.
Can you can watermelon juice?
Sorry, I don’t think so.
wonder how it would come out if you poured in ice cube tray froze and then blend….
Ooh, let me know if you try that, Rebecca.
Just made this for my daughter who is a cheerleader. It drives me crazy that she wants a Gatorade at all her competitions. I am thinking this could be a perfect replacement! :-)
Thanks for sharing.
I hope so, Chris! That’s a great idea.
This is my first time making a watermelon juice and this is the perfect recipe! I bet leaving the watermelon as it is brings out a sweeter and more refreshing juice. Thanks!
Thanks, Jay!
3 pitchers of watermelon juice later
a) straight as your recipe
b) added 1/4 cup black sambucca
c) added 1/4 cup B&B
All 3 versions were great for our party goers
none who knew what was in the mix.
I did tell them that ALL 3 versions had some
alcohol content
Sounds like a great party, Edward! Thanks for commenting.
Hi Kate!
Have you ever frozen any of your watermelon juice to use at a later date when watermelons are out of season? I was just wondering is it would still be good and safe to drink?
Thanks,
Deborah
I am gluten free have been since 71 am 79 So like only gluten free receipts my hubby cooks so we do exchange regular noodles for gf
Looks wonderful! Do you know how long it might last in a ball jar in the fridge? Thank you!
Hey Colleen! I’d say about 4 to 5 days. That’s about standard for homemade recipes. Hope that helps!
Great recipe suggestions, Thanx for the Watermelon Juice Recipe.
Thank you!
Ohh! Watermelon is one of my favorite items. Nice to hear that you are a Vegetable enthusiast. Really I’m also a vegetarian. I love any planet based juice recipe. Really planet based item is so essential for human food because of we are destroying our eco-balance to be fulfilled our demand. Day by day are decreasing our animal sector. That’s why all are should more publish & share this type of recipe, food to increasing public awareness. Thanks & keep it up.
Thanks for the review, Christina!
I sometimes buy a watermelon that taste good but has that bad texture I just put it in the blender and drink it I use to just throw them out but now I drink it very refreshing drink.
Thank you!
I saw watermelon juice today at the farmer’s market selling for $4 a bottle. It looked so refreshing so I bought a whole watermelon instead for $4 and am making my own. Thanks, great recipe and great idea!
You’re welcome! How did it go?
Kate, why are you discarding the seeds?
The seeds are lovely on our colon, as well as nutritious in their own right.
Also too, I discovered by using my fancy pants nice juicer, the water that comes out at the end is easier to drink in large quanties if one is doing a cleanse.
I loved the story and hope your move was all you were looking for.
Had a small watermelon that was too soft to eat like normal… glad I found your post and made the juice. So yummy and refreshing! Made several versions… with squeeze of lime, with a shot of Limone gin, with a splash of lemonade – all good. Didn’t realize how delicious and simple this drink was. Love ×3!
Thanks for your review, Teri!
Beautiful color! I am intrigued by the book your recommended, adding it to my list of books to read! I can’t wait to try this juice. I love that your recipe . :)
Thank you, Edward!
I made some watermelon juice from an organic melon purchased a few days before. When I take a drink, initially it’s delicious but has an icky aftertaste, like I’m drinking the rind (none of which went into the juice). Is it always like this or should I try again.
Thanks for sharing, Ellen!
I just made some pickled watermelon rind and have all this flesh left over. If I make the entire melon into juice how long can it be kept if refrigerated or can it be frozen once blended with the lime juice? Could a lemon be used instead of lime?
Hi John! It should keep covered for a few days. It didn’t last that long for me. Let me know! I would judge by color and taste.
I am not clear how long I can keep it. I placed it in the blender, then place the watermelon juice in a jar. I went to add some to my smoothie and it appears to be separating and have a different taste? The bottle seems swollen? Is it bad
Your watermelon takes me back to the tropics party in the blue ocean. So fresh and hydrate juice!!!
how many lemons can you put in one water melon and what can you put in the juice to prevent it from separating in case you want to pack and market
I’m not sure, sorry!
Thanks for the recipe I will really go for and I get back to you for results.
Chris
Beautiful day here in SC. Making watermelon juice with lemon instead of lime since we didnt have the lime. Si refreshing. Ty for the recipe
I love watermelon so much now i found a new way of using watermelon I’ll for now on and I’ll still eat it…… Thanks for sharing.
So easy and refreshing! I got a giant watermelon at Costco and wasn’t sure we’d eat it before it went bad…glad I found your recipe. We don’t have any tequila or rum on hand, but I did see a cocktail recipe with watermelon, whiskey, and ginger beer that might be worth trying…
Made this (lime included) and it is DELISH!!!! So Yum!!!
I bought an organic watermelon and although the watermelon wasn’t as sweet as I’d hoped, it was still really good!
Can watermelon juice be frozen? Thank you
Hi! I haven’t tried it, but it may work. Let me know!
I love watermelon. This juice is so good and refreshing. Also, extremely easy to make! Thanks again for another wonderful recipe Kate! Tell Cookie I said hey!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lisa! Thank you for your review.
What happens to the seeds in a Vita Mix??
Jane
Simple & refreshing. I have never tired watermelon as a drink before and I love lime. I had half a watermelon left over & decided to try this recipe & really enjoyed it!
I’m happy to hear that! Thank you for your review, Debbie.
It turned out to be awesome never tried it in my inter life until Im proud of my self for trying new things
That’s great, Jean! I appreciate your review.
I just got back from Belize and loved the watermelon juice! I was about to buy a juicer so that I could enjoy it home. Glad I came across your recipe!
Thanks!!
I hope you love it, Mary!
Great recipe! Thanks
Thank you, Daneria!
This dish is both tasty and healthy. I must try your recipe. It looks to good.
Straight forward, and simple!
Wonderful, Ellie! Thank you for your review.
Delious
Thank you, Joan!
So simple and delicious! My boyfriend brought home a late summer watermelon that I didn’t want to slice. Juicing was the perfect solution.
How long does this keep for refrigerated?
Hi Caroline, please see the last step: Watermelon juice will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.