Watermelonade Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Merrill Stubbs

May25,2010

4.4

5 Ratings

  • Serves 10

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

My sister and some friends recently threw me a lovely bridal shower. The food, provided by Go Catering, was delicious. Happy guests devoured crudités, curried chicken salad, mini grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon, sausage rolls, and homemade currant and ginger scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam. To drink, there was a crisp rosé and a refreshing concoction of fresh watermelon, lemon, sugar and water known as "watermelonade." Apparently, it's one of the caterer's specialties, and everyone raved about the juicy, pink drink. This past weekend, I couldn't resist attempting it myself. —Merrill Stubbs

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cupsugar
  • 4 cupscubed watermelon
  • 3 1/2 cupswater
  • 1/2 cupfreshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
  1. Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring sugar to dissolve. Set aside.
  2. Put the cubed watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth, about 20 seconds. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. You should have about 2 cups of strained watermelon juice.
  3. Mix the sugar syrup with 3 cups cold water and the lemon juice. Stir well.
  4. Fill glasses with ice, add about 3 tablespoons of watermelon juice and then top off with lemonade. Stir gently before serving.

Tags:

  • Fruit
  • Lemon Juice
  • Melon
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Summer
  • Alcohol-Free Drinks
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Hors D'Oeuvre
  • Snack

Popular on Food52

20 Reviews

Cookie May 29, 2022

I make this all the time, but I juice the watermelon so that there's no pulp to deal with and make the lemonade separately, with very little sugar given the sweetness of the watermelon. I also add tons of fresh mint, then remove the mint for overnight storage, if any doesn't get finished by my guests (it almost always does.) It's SO refreshing. And it's great with tequila too, not just vodka :) In the 70's, Naked Juice used to market watermelon mint lemonade; been making this ever since they stopped selling it.

Gingarr July 26, 2020

Finally made this after nearly 4 years (or longer?) being on my to-do! Super sweet though with the "lemonade." I'll try watering it down a bit. Lime seems like it would add a good tartness. Otherwise this is a nice summer drink!

Brigb June 10, 2017

It's very tasty, I made it with limes.

Ontariobnd October 21, 2016

I loved this drink!! I became heavier handed with the watermelon juice the second time around. The watermelon totally brought down the tart flavor of the lemonade and added such a fruity wonderful flavor.

pamela N. July 4, 2016

I made this for a fireworks viewing party last night and used it as a base for a signature co*cktail - adding vodka, a spritz of lemon seltzer, blueberries and mint. It was super delicious! Thank you!

James C. June 24, 2015

What kind of alcohol would be good to add to this recipe?

Rebecca L. July 14, 2020

Vodka

the_lewist April 25, 2015

Planning a backyard BBQ birthday party for about 15 people- Do you think this would work well in a pitcher?

Merrill S. April 25, 2015

Absolutely. I often do it that way, and it's so pretty!

Nikki February 26, 2015

This sounds delish. I emailed it to my daughters. I am sure my granddaughters will love it-especially the 3 oldest who are all cheerleaders in KY. I actually made something sort of like this when they were here one time. I am sure this will be better. I think my youngest granddaughter and grandson will find it refreshing, also.

Desired C. December 7, 2014

This sounds PERFECT for summer!

natalia July 22, 2014

It's necessary to take off the seeds from the watermelon or can I blended with them?

tamater S. July 2, 2014

Any idea how far in advance of serving this can be made?

ghainskom June 30, 2014

Very nice. Might add some mint next time around...

Donna May 30, 2014

So refreshing! It's wonderful!

rochelle123 September 3, 2012

I followed the recipe exactly and it came out beautifully. So refreshing and the right balance of sweet and sour.

jenniebites July 27, 2011

yum! made this after a run today and it hit the spot! thank you.

MissGinsu July 11, 2010

Want!!!

dymnyno June 22, 2010

I just made some test ade for a day after the wedding brunch this weekend. Wow!! what great color...and it really tastes good too.

Merrill S. June 22, 2010

So glad you liked it! And that pink color is almost as great as the taste, huh?

Watermelonade Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is watermelon ade? ›

To drink, there was a crisp rosé and a refreshing concoction of fresh watermelon, lemon, sugar and water known as "watermelonade." Apparently, it's one of the caterer's specialties, and everyone raved about the juicy, pink drink.

How to spice up watermelon? ›

Mix cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Place watermelon into serving bowls; sprinkle with spice mixture. Squeeze lime juice over spiced watermelon.

What to have with watermelon? ›

With feta, avocado, mint & lime, it's the perfect mix of savory & sweet. Once summer rolls around, I can't get enough of salads made with a mix of peak-season fruits and veggies. I love a good sweet & savory combination, and this watermelon salad with feta, mint, avocado, and a tangy lime dressing is exactly that.

What Cannot be mixed with watermelon? ›

Avoid mixing your watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe and honeydews with other fruits. Try not to mix acidic fruits, such as grapefruits and strawberries, or sub-acidic foods such as apples, pomegranates and peaches, with sweet fruits, such as bananas and raisins for a better digestion.

What enhances the flavor of watermelon? ›

A small sprinkle of salt doesn't just offer a salty-sweet kick, it also brings out the sweetness in the watermelon, making this the perfect hack for when you dig into a lackluster slice. Trust me, I've had people FREAK over this simple trick; it's a game-changer.

What is it called when you put alcohol in a watermelon? ›

Watermelon Crawl- Aka Spiked Watermelon.

Why put lemon on watermelon? ›

Hydration: Watermelon, with its high water content, keeps you hydrated, while lemon adds a refreshing zing and helps balance electrolytes.

Why do Japanese love watermelon? ›

The main reason behind this is that watermelon in Japan—like many other fruits, in fact—is considered a luxury: something you'd give to a really important senpai as a thank you or summer gift rather than something essential for your seasonal diet.

How do you intensify watermelon flavor? ›

Salt is a great way to enhance any melon's, natural sweetness. Salting watermelon doesn't just affect the taste though, it also improves a melon's texture. A little sprinkle of salt over the flesh of a melon brings all the liquid to the surface of this water-rich fruit.

What is the trick for watermelon? ›

Find a watermelon that is symmetrical in shape; it can be oval or round, but it should not have an odd shape or irregular bumps. Balance the weight. A melon that feels heavier than it looks has more water content so it is juicy and ready. Avoid melons that are too large but don't feel as heavy as they look.

What makes watermelon taste so good? ›

Well, that is, at least to some. Watermelon boasts a triad of flavors—bitter, sweet, and sour. The bitter flavors of the fruit are strong enough to keep the sweet from being overpowering, and the sour makes the bitter more manageable. All three together are what make watermelon so unique.

What flavor pairs well with watermelon? ›

Compatible flavors
  • Anise hyssop.
  • Basil.
  • Cheese: feta, goat*
  • Chili powder.
  • Cilantro.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Cream.
  • Cucumber.

What is the best time to eat watermelon? ›

The best time to eat watermelon is between noon and late afternoon after you have had plenty of activities during the day. While it is true that your body can tolerate fruit in the morning, it is still recommended to avoid eating watermelon on an empty stomach to maintain proper sugar levels.

What fruit is good to mix with watermelon? ›

On the other hand, tangier fruits like lime or lemons complement the sweetness of the watermelon. If you're going the citrus route, add herbs such as mint or basil. Finally, frozen strawberries and raspberries make excellent additions to a watermelon smoothie, as they add sweetness and tanginess at the same time.

What will cross with watermelon? ›

There is a popular myth that watermelon should not be grown close to other cucurbits such as cucumber, cantaloupe, or squash because of an adverse effect on horticultural traits such as flavor. However, watermelon will not cross with any other cucurbits except for species within the genus Citrullus.

What goes well with watermelon in water? ›

Use your favorite herbs – some of our favorite watermelon pairings include basil, mint and lime!

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