When it’s really hot out and the summer sun is blazing in the sky, sometimes water just isn’t enough to quench your thirst.

Watermelon juice is super hydrating, and you might be surprised at how easy it is to make at home. There are infinite possibilities for using fresh watermelon juice, too.

Read on to learn how to make watermelon juice, lots of ideas for different ways to use it, and a great watermelon juice recipe you can try.

What’s Great About Watermelon Juice

Homemade watermelon juice requires very simple ingredients and equipment, and the process is really quick and easy.

It’s so refreshing and delicious for summer, and very hydrating in hot weather; did you know watermelons are over 90% water?

Watermelon juice is high in vitamins A and C, potassium, antioxidants, and amino acids with lots of natural sweetness.

Making a watermelon juice recipe is ideal because you can enjoy it perfectly fresh and control how sweet it is without unnecessary additives, and you can drink it on its own or use it in tons of different recipes.

What You Need to Make Watermelon Juice

The best thing about watermelon juice is how easy it is to make, and you don’t even need to use measurements. You can customize it however you want to your own tastes; no need to add sugar if you like it as is. Just make adjustments until it’s to your liking.

A squeeze of citrus juice will help brighten it and cut through the sweetness.

Ingredients

All you need is a whole watermelon or pre-cut from the store, (the sweeter the better), a lemon or lime if you want a little acidity (fresh citrus or concentrates are fine), and your choice of sweetener to taste if you want.

Tips: you can use watermelons with seeds, but seedless watermelons will make the process even simpler.

Make sure you’re choosing a watermelon that’s fully ripe and shows external signs of being on the sweeter side. Look for a watermelon that’s heavier for how big it is, a yellow field spot (not white), skin that is very firm and less shiny, and a uniform shape. You can also give it a knock and listen for a hollow sound.

Equipment

Using a juicer or blender is ideal for this watermelon juice recipe. An immersion blender will also work, just be sure to grab a large bowl to blend in. A food processor is a good option, too.

If you don’t have any appliances you can use, you can just crush up the chunks of watermelon with a potato masher or whatever else you have on hand.

You’ll also need a strainer or cheesecloth and a pitcher for your finished fresh watermelon juice.

How to Make Watermelon Juice

If you’re starting with a whole watermelon, cut it up into chunks and discard the rind.
Start blending or crushing your watermelon, working in batches until you’ve blended all of it.
Transfer the liquid to your pitcher. If it’s thicker and pulpier than you want or has seeds in it, strain it as it goes into the pitcher.
Add a squeeze or dash of lemon or lime juice if you’re using it and mix thoroughly.
Give it a taste, and add sugar or more lemon or lime juice if desired.
Refrigerate until your juice is chilled, then pour over ice and serve.

Fresh watermelon juice will last covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; it may separate, so stir it thoroughly before serving.

Freeze it for up to two months so you can thaw it out and enjoy it whenever you want.

A Delicious Watermelon Juice Recipe

Make your watermelon juice even more refreshing on a hot day by turning it into a smoothie!

Ingredients:

Fresh watermelon juice
Water or lemonade
Fresh mint leaves; dried will also work
Fresh cucumber, cut into pieces
Fresh or frozen strawberries

Pour your homemade watermelon juice into ice trays and freeze it.
Once it’s completely frozen, start by adding a few handfuls of watermelon ice to your blender.
Add a few splashes of water or fresh watermelon juice to help it blend smoothly, or substitute lemonade if you prefer a little more sweetness and tang.
Add a handful of strawberries, a handful of cucumber pieces, and a big pinch of mint leaves.
Blend until everything is smooth and fully combined.
Pour into the glass of your choice with a wide straw and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
To make it boozy, add a splash of vodka or rum before blending!

Other Ways to Use Watermelon Juice

There are so many fun and delicious things you can do with a simple watermelon juice recipe.

Freeze it into ice trays for watermelon ice cubes, which you can add to cocktails or use to keep watermelon juice cold without diluting it.

You can also pour it into popsicle molds and freeze it to make amazing homemade watermelon juice popsicles. Add anything else you like!

Make your own watermelon lemonade: all you have to do is add fresh watermelon juice to store-bought regular lemonade or make your own.

Cocktails and mocktails are delicious with fresh watermelon juice! It’s commonly mixed with just vodka or rum for a simple drink. Dress it up by wetting the rim with watermelon or citrus juice, then dipping it in sugar or spicy seasoning.

Other easy and yummy additions to fresh watermelon juice are ginger, sparkling water, fresh mint, cucumber, other types of citrus juice like orange or grapefruit, apples, strawberries, blueberries, basil, rosemary, rose water, cumin, cinnamon, spicy peppers, and salt.

Fresh Watermelon Juice is the Perfect Summer Drink

Now that you know how simple watermelon juice is to make, the sky is the limit!

Get as creative as you want and create your own refreshing watermelon juice recipe that tastes just right for you, or use it to make all kinds of delicious things.

If you’re inspired to grow your own watermelons to make juice from, check out our Watermelon Page for everything you need to know.