What can be more refreshing than a frozen drink on a hot day? It's so nice to relax with a delicious watermelon slushie mocktail in hand! But hey, it's surprisingly simple to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a blender!
Love slushies? Don't miss out on our frozen cherry limeade and frozen strawberry lemonade. You'll also love our virgin strawberry daiquiri!
Why This Recipe Works
- The fruit is frozen. This eliminates the need for ice, which would dilute the flavors and texture of the drink.
- It uses freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled lime juice doesn't have as bright and fresh of a flavor, so using it in this drink won't taste as good as freshly squeezed.
Ingredients
This watermelon slushie takes only four simple ingredients (five if you include water for blending). Let's talk about each one!
- Watermelon: Start by cubing half of a watermelon, discarding the rind and seeds, then spread it on a cookie sheet and freeze it. I like to freeze the cubed melon overnight to make sure it's really frozen. Use a seedless melon for fewer seeds.
- Frozen Strawberries: These berries add a touch of sweetness and a little more flavor than using watermelon only.
- Lime Juice: Make sure to freshly squeeze your own with a citrus press or reamer for the best flavor. Bottled juice never tastes as good!
- Sugar: Although fruit is sweet already, adding a little sugar enhances the flavors. Feel free to substitute with your favorite sweetener.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Watermelon Slushie
Gather the ingredients for the watermelon slushie.
- Start the prep work by cubing about half of a large watermelon. Discard the seeds for smoother textured drink if you would like. (image 1)
- Spread the cubed melon on a cookie sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. (image 2)
- Meanwhile, juice the fresh limes using a citrus press or reamer. (image 3)
- Place a little of the frozen melon into a powerful blender and pour in the sugar and lime juice. Blend on low speed until combined. (image 4)
- Gradually add the frozen strawberries and remaining frozen melon and blend on low speed until the slushie is smooth and thick. (image 5)
- You will need to add water periodically to help the blender crush the frozen fruit. (image 6)
- Pour the slushies into glasses and garnish with a small watermelon slice. (image 7)
- Enjoy these watermelon slushies right away before they melt! (image 8)
Recipe FAQs
No, unfortunately Sonic discontinued this drink back in 2019, much to the disappointment of many fans. However, you can make your own at home!
Watermelon juice is one of the key ingredients in this frozen summer drink! Making it is super easy: just purée fresh melon in a blender or food processor until smooth. If you want to drink the juice by itself, you can pour the juice through a sieve to remove the pulp and seeds.
For this watermelon slushie, blend together all the ingredients in a powerful blender on low speed until they are smooth. Add water as needed to help the blender crush the ingredients.
Yes, you can blend this slushie in advance and store it in the freezer. Take it out about 45 minutes before you want to drink it. Break it down into a slushie texture with a fork as it thaws.
To keep this drink as a slushie, you'll need to freeze any leftovers in a freezer-safe container, like a plastic ice cream tub. Thaw at room temperature and break it up with a fork until it has the desired texture.
Serve
Looking for other frozen summer drinks? You'll definitely want to try our recipes for raspberry daiquiri, frozen mango daiquiri, virgin strawberry margarita, and frozen jalapeño margaritas.
Expert Tips
- Squeeze your own lime juice for the best flavor.
- If the slushie is too thick, add a little water or additional lime juice.
- If the slushie isn't thick enough, blend in crushed ice or freeze it for a few hours, then break up the icy clumps until smooth.
- This slushie melts quickly, so store it in the freezer until ready to serve.
Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Try
Recipe
Watermelon Slushie Mocktail
Ingredients
- 5 ⅔ cups watermelon, cubed
- 1 ½ cup frozen sliced strawberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Slice half of a large melon, discarding the rind and seeds. Cube up 5 ⅔ cups of melon (1.1 kg) and spread it out in a single layer on a large cookie sheet. Freeze for at least 1-2 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Place some of the frozen watermelon along with the freshly squeezed lime juice and the sugar in a powerful blender. Blend on low speed until combined, then gradually blend in the remaining melon and the frozen strawberries. You'll need to add water occasionally to help the blender crush the fruit.
- Taste the drink and add more sugar or lime juice if desired. Adjustments may be needed depending on the sweetness of the fruit used.
- Pour into 14-ounce glasses and garnish with a small watermelon slice on the rim of the glass and paper straws. Serve immediately, or pour into a pitcher and store in the freezer until ready to serve.
Notes
- Squeeze your own lime juice with a citrus press or reamer for the best flavor.
- If the slushie is too thick, add a little water or additional lime juice.
- If the slushie isn't thick enough, freeze it for an hour or two; then break up the icy clumps until smooth.
- This drink melts very quickly, so store it in the freezer until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
Jennifer Gavin
This is amazing! I doubled it for a teen party and they loved it! Later we added vodka! Making this again for the 4th of July party!
Emma Fajcz
So glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer! Thanks for making our recipe.
Amada
Sounds really good, I'll make sure I'll try it!
Emma
I hope you enjoy the slushie, Amada!
Alex
The sweet watermelon is juicy and nice. The drink is smooth and the flavors are great. Yum, yum!
Emma
Thanks for your kind review, Alex!
Beth
This is a lovely cold drink that is perfect for a hot, humid day. The sweet watermelon in it is yummy!
Emma
I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, Beth!