Watermelon water with mint and lime with sparkling water: the drink of the summer
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Watermelon is 92% water—which means that when you blend it, you already have a naturally sweet, hydrating drink with no added sugar. Combine it with fresh mint, a squeeze of lime, and sparkling water, and you have the perfect summer beverage that will disappear from the table before you can refill your glass.
There's something almost unfair about how good this combination is, given how simple it is. Watermelon is cheap in summer, it's everywhere, and we usually eat it by the bite without thinking that it could be the base of something just as good in a glass.
We discovered this recipe while trying to use up the end of a watermelon that was getting a little soft and we couldn't eat it straight. The result was better than the whole watermelon.
Ingredients for 2 glasses
• 300g of fresh seedless watermelon — approximately 2 cups of dice
• Juice of 1/2 lime + slices for garnish
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves
• A pinch of sea salt (the usual trick)
• Plenty of ice
• 200 ml of cold sparkling water — medium carbonation
Preparation
1. Blend the watermelon in a blender, or mash it with a fork if you don't have one. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth—some texture is fine.
2. Strain the resulting juice through a sieve to remove the larger pulp. If you prefer a thicker juice, you can skip this step.
3. Mix the watermelon juice with the lime juice, mint, and salt in a pitcher. Taste and adjust—if the watermelon was too sweet, add more lime.
4. Add the ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with lime wedges and a few mint leaves.
Why it works so well
Watermelon has a clean sweetness that doesn't compete with the flavors of the sparkling water—on the contrary, it complements them. Lime cuts through that sweetness and adds acidity. Mint provides freshness. And the sparkling water transforms what would be a simple juice into something festive. It's the perfect combination of ingredients that need each other.
Variants
• With basil: substitute fresh basil for mint. The watermelon-basil combination is less obvious but absolutely delicious.
• With cucumber: add 3-4 slices of cucumber when blending. The result is fresher and lighter in flavor.
• Slushie version: Freeze the crushed watermelon in an ice cube tray and use it instead of regular ice. The bubbles from the sparkling water will mix with the watermelon slush. Spectacular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work with frozen watermelon?
Perfect. In fact, frozen watermelon has some advantages: you don't need extra ice, and the flavor intensifies as it thaws. It's a great option to always have on hand.
How long does it last in the refrigerator?
Watermelon juice with lime and mint keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After that time, the color starts to fade and the flavor becomes flat. Always add sparkling water just before serving.
In summary
- Blend the fresh watermelon — the resulting juice is naturally sweet without adding anything.
- Lime is essential to balance the sweetness of the watermelon.
- A pinch of salt intensifies all flavors — don't skip it.
- Sparkling water at the end, always. And medium carbonation so as not to overpower the watermelon flavor.
Watermelon is seasonal, but sparkling water is available year-round. With Congas home delivery, you have fresh bubbles whenever you need them—and we'll pick up the empty ones right at your door.