Ingredients
Scale
For the Base Smoothie:
- 6 cups fresh watermelon chunks, seeds removed (about half a medium watermelon)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 medium limes)
- 8–10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, depending on watermelon sweetness)
- 2 cups ice cubes
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
- 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 tablespoon coconut water
- Small pinch of sea salt (enhances sweetness)
For Garnish:
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Small watermelon wedges
- Lime slices
- Mint leaves
Instructions
- First, I start with the watermelon prep. I’ve learned that taking time to properly cube the watermelon makes a big difference. I remove the rind and cut the flesh into roughly 1-inch chunks. This size blends easily without straining my blender.
- Next comes my favorite part I place the watermelon chunks in the blender and give them a quick pulse. The fruit breaks down quickly, releasing its natural juice. The trick here is not to overblend at this stage.
- I add the fresh lime juice next. The citrus brightens all the flavors and adds a subtle tang that balances the watermelon’s sweetness. Sometimes, if my watermelon isn’t quite sweet enough, I’ll add a touch of honey at this point.
- Then, I toss in the fresh mint leaves. I tear them slightly to release their oils before adding them to the blender. The mint adds such a refreshing note that makes this smoothie extra special.
- Now for the ice I add it last to ensure everything blends smoothly. Starting with the liquid ingredients helps prevent the ice from just bouncing around the bottom of the blender.
- I blend everything on high speed for about 1-2 minutes, until the ice is completely crushed and the mixture is smooth and frothy. If you’re using any of the optional flavor boosters, they should go in before this final blend.
- Here’s a tip I learned through trial and error: let the smoothie sit for about 30 seconds after blending. This allows any foam to rise to the top, which you can either stir back in or spoon off, depending on your preference.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh mint sprigs, watermelon wedges, or lime slices for that perfect finishing touch.
Notes
- Choose a ripe watermelon I look for one that’s heavy for its size and has a yellow spot where it sat on the ground. The yellow spot should be creamy yellow, not white. This ensures maximum sweetness.
- Temperature matters I’ve found that starting with at least some of the ingredients chilled makes a big difference. I often keep my cut watermelon in the fridge before blending.
- Don’t overblend While you want everything smooth, overblending can make the smoothie foamy and affect the texture. I usually blend just until everything is incorporated and smooth.
- The mint trick I gently crush the mint leaves before adding them to release their oils. This gives a stronger mint flavor without having to use too many leaves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 fluid ounces (473ml)
- Calories: 85 Sugar
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 3mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg