The Best Watermelon Limeade {Only 3 Ingredients}
This Watermelon Limeade came to life during a pregnancy craving over 25 years ago. Since then I have tweaked the ingredients each year and now the amounts are just right. It is the perfect way to combine two of my favorite flavors into a drink…watermelon and lime!
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Watermelon Limeade Recipe
I love that it is a recipe that you can make for kids but also works as an adult beverage. Add a splash of lemon lime soda for a bit of fizz and a shot of vodka for a flawless drink your friends will enjoy!
The freshness of the watermelon with the slight tartness of the lime is smoothed out by the simple syrup {I sometimes use this Lime Simple Syrup} but if you want to make it even easier–you could purchase limeade at the store.
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh Watermelon- Even if you have a watermelon that isn’t as sweet as you would prefer you can still use it for this watermelon lime juice recipe. You could also save time and get watermelon juice from the supermarket.
- Lime Juice- It takes around 4 limes to just the right amount of tartness to this watermelon lime juice.
- Simple Syrup- You can purchase simple syrup in the beverage section of the grocery store or make your own. I also like using simple syrup on this fruit salad.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
If you prefer to make a watermelon limeade cocktail, add a splash of lemon lime soda and a shot of your favorite vodka.
How to make Watermelon Limeade
- Chop the watermelon into cubes and add it to a blender {or food processor} with 2 ounces of simple syrup {or lime simple syrup}. Then blend it into a puree {or liquid substance}.
- To get a smooth watermelon juice, {without the pulp} pour the watermelon puree through a fine strainer. Use the back of a spoon to push even more of the juice through the strainer. Then discard any pulp left in the strainer.
- Then begin juicing the limes. Side note-The smell of fresh lime juice always reminds me of a great Margarita!!
- To serve, combine the watermelon and lime juice mixture, along with the simple syrup {or lime simple syrup} in a pitcher. Pour over ice and garnish with a lime or watermelon wedge…or both!
Expert Tips
- Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes from the watermelon for garnish. I love using a small star cookie cutter and floating them in the drink.
- Don’t skip using the strainer. This simple step will give you the perfect texture for the watermelon limeade recipe.
- Make a watermelon spritzer by adding a splash of lemon lime soda. It adds the perfect effervescence that kids and adults enjoy.
- Add a Tajín rim on your glass for a spicy kick. To do so, run a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and then roll in seasoning.
- This is a great make ahead recipe. Just be sure to stir the watermelon with lime before serving because the watermelon juice will sink to the bottom of the pitcher.
Recipe FAQs
The juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to store it in a container with an airtight lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Limeade is a combination of fresh lime juice and sugar {or honey} and water. I prefer making a simple syrup {of water and sugar} because the sugar dissolves.
Watermelon with lime juice absolutely goes together. If you don’t have time to make this watermelon limeade, try adding lime zest and juice to a slice of watermelon.
Do you love fresh summer recipes? Try these…
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Easy Watermelon Limeade
Ingredients
Watermelon Limeade
- 1 small watermelon {cubed}
- ¼ cup lime juice {about 4 limes}
- 4 ounces simple syrup {*see notes} or lime simple syrup
Watermelon Limeade Cocktail {pitcher}
- ½ cup lemon and lime soda
- ½ cup vodka
Instructions
Watermelon Limeade
- Put cubes of watermelon in blender with 2 ounces of simple syrup {equal parts of water & sugar-*see notes} and blend into a puree. Pour puree through a fine strainer and use the back of a spoon to push juice through.
- Combine the watermelon mixture and simple syrup. Serve over ice with a garnish of watermelon or lime wedge, or both. Refrigerate leftovers, being sure to stir limeade if it has been sitting for a while because the watermelon juice will sink to the bottom of the pitcher.
Watermelon Limeade Cocktail
- Make the watermelon limeade as directed above. Add lemon lime soda and vodka to the pitcher of watermelon limeade and stir. Serve over ice with a garnish of watermelon or lime wedge, or both.
Notes
- *To make simple syrup: Combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolves {about 2 minutes}. Cool completely before using and store in refrigerator.
- To make Lime Simple Syrup.
- If you are making a cocktail and want to give it a spicy touch: Take a wedge of lime and run it around the edge of your glass. Dip the edge of the glass in Tajín and serve.
