Watermelon, lemonade, and summer go hand in hand, and this refreshing recipe brings them together in under 10 minutes for a pitcher of watermelon-flavored, hand-squeezed homemade lemonade.
I love to make a pitcher of this watermelon lemonade and keep it in the fridge throughout the summer. It’s a must on hot days and around the 4th of July. Sweet, icy cold, and extra hydrating thanks to all that watermelon, it’s the kind of drink that disappears fast because everyone goes back for a refill.
Making homemade lemonade is so easy that I hardly ever buy bottled lemonade anymore. I’m always experimenting with new versions like my strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade, and hibiscus lemonade, but this one is a favorite because it brings together two of the best flavors of summer. My creamy pineapple mango lemonade is another summertime favorite with a tropical twist.
The recipe uses just four ingredients: watermelon, lemons, sugar, and water. Most of them are at their peak during the same part of summer, which makes this an easy drink to throw together when produce prices are low.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make watermelon lemonade at home, it’s surprisingly simple.
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Lemonade
- Just 4 ingredients. All you need is watermelon, lemons, sugar, and water.
- Ready in about 10 minutes. Most of the work is cutting the watermelon and squeezing the lemons.
- Makes a big pitcher. The recipe fills a 2-quart pitcher and doubles easily into a gallon for cookouts, pool days, and summer parties.
- A great way to use extra watermelon. If you bought a giant watermelon on sale and still have plenty left after snacking, this watermelon drink recipe puts some of it to good use.
- Naturally caffeine-free and kid-friendly. Everyone can enjoy a glass, and you can make it as sweet or tart as you like.
- Budget-friendly during watermelon season. Watermelon and lemons are often at their cheapest when they’re tasting their best.
Ingredients for Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
- Watermelon
- Fresh lemons
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Ice for serving
- Small watermelon wedges for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Notes for the Best Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon
You’ll need about 4 cups of cubed watermelon, which yields roughly 2 cups of watermelon puree. Fresh pureed watermelon gives this lemonade its naturally sweet flavor, beautiful pink color, and pairs perfectly with fresh lemon juice. I usually buy seedless watermelon so I’m not picking out dark seeds before blending.
Lemons
Fresh lemons are essential here. Look for lemons that feel heavy for their size since they’re usually the juiciest. Rolling them firmly on the counter before juicing helps release even more juice.
Sugar
Regular white granulated sugar is all you need. Dissolving it in hot water first creates a quick simple syrup so you don’t end up with sugar crystals sinking to the bottom of the pitcher.
Water
Filtered water gives homemade lemonade the cleanest flavor. My Brita pitcher gets a workout during summer because I’m constantly making iced tea, lemonade, and fruit syrups.
Ice
Serve this watermelon lemonade ice cold over plenty of ice. The colder it is, the more refreshing it tastes!
How to Pick a Sweet Watermelon
Since watermelon is the star of this watermelon drink recipe, it’s worth taking a minute to find a good one. The flavor of your watermelon lemonade will only be as good as the watermelon you start with.
Here’s what I look for:
- A large creamy yellow field spot where the melon sat on the ground
- A watermelon that feels heavy for its size
- Dull green skin rather than shiny skin
- Some brown webbing or sugar spots on the rind
- A uniform shape without odd bumps or dents
I usually pick up a few before deciding. It probably makes me look a little ridiculous standing in the produce section weighing watermelons with my hands, but it works.
How to Make Watermelon Lemonade
To make this watermelon lemonade recipe, you’ll need a blender for the watermelon puree, a fine-mesh strainer, and a 2-quart pitcher or container.
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
Make the Simple Syrup
This is really just a fancy way of saying “dissolve the sugar.” Instead of trying to stir granulated sugar into cold lemonade, I combine the sugar and boiling water in a heatproof container and give it a quick stir until dissolved.
Set it aside to cool while you puree the watermelon and juice the lemons.
Puree the Watermelon
Add the cubed watermelon to a blender and blend until completely smooth. That’s really all there is to making watermelon puree.
If you’re using a personal blender, work in batches if needed. I use a Ninja personal cup blender and usually blend half the watermelon first, then add the rest and keep blending until all the chunks are gone.
Juice the Lemons
Roll each lemon firmly on the countertop before cutting and juicing. I use a simple citrus juicer with measurement markings on the side, which makes it easy to see when I’ve reached 1½ cups.
If a few seeds slip in, don’t worry about them. Everything gets strained in the next step anyway.
Assemble the Watermelon Lemonade
Place a fine-mesh strainer over a 2-quart pitcher or container. Pour in the lemon juice and watermelon puree, using a spoon to move the puree around and help it pass through the strainer. Discard any pulp left behind.
Add the cooled simple syrup, then fill the pitcher with cold water until it reaches the 2-quart mark. Give everything a good stir and refrigerate until chilled.
Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges and lemon slices if desired.
How to Use Watermelon Lemonade Concentrate
If you’d like a stronger watermelon flavor, stop before adding the final cold water. The concentrate can be used several different ways:
- Mix with sparkling water for a lighter watermelon spritzer.
- Combine with lemon-lime soda for a sweeter party drink.
- Freeze into ice cube trays and blend into a watermelon lemonade slushie.
- Use as a punch base with lemon-lime soda and scoops of watermelon or raspberry sherbet.
- Add to iced tea for a watermelon Arnold Palmer twist.
Tips for the Best Watermelon Lemonade
- Straining the watermelon puree and lemon juice gives the lemonade a smoother texture and cleaner appearance.
- Watermelon puree naturally settles toward the bottom of the pitcher during storage. Give the lemonade a quick stir before serving.
- This lemonade tastes best thoroughly chilled and served over plenty of ice.
- The sweetness of watermelon can vary quite a bit. If your watermelon is especially sweet, you can reduce the sugar slightly next time you make it.
Quick Entertaining Tip
This recipe makes 2 quarts, but it’s one of the easiest large-batch drink recipes to scale up. Double everything for a gallon, then serve it in a beverage dispenser packed with ice and lemon slices.
FAQs
How long does watermelon lemonade last?
Watermelon lemonade will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Because it’s made with fresh watermelon puree, you’ll notice some separation over time. Simply stir before serving.
Can I make watermelon lemonade ahead of time?
Yes. Watermelon lemonade can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The watermelon puree will naturally settle as it sits, so just give it a quick stir before serving.
More Refreshing Lemonade Recipes
If you’re on a homemade lemonade kick, here are a few more favorites to try:
- One-Gallon Homemade Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Hibiscus Lemonade
- Blueberry Lemonade
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
- Frozen Raspberry Lemonade
- Creamy Brazilian Lemonade
- Creamy Pineapple Mango Lemonade
State Fair Lemonade Tip
If you love fresh-squeezed lemonade, try my State Fair Lemonade recipe made by smashing lemon slices, sugar, and water together in a large deli container before shaking everything with ice. I also have a Strawberry State Fair Lemonade version that’s always a hit during summer.
Watermelon Lemonade
This refreshing watermelon lemonade is made with fresh watermelon puree, hand-squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water. It comes together in about 10 minutes, makes a 2-quart pitcher, and is easy to double for summer parties and cookouts.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1½ cups fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2–3 cups cold water
- Ice, for serving
- Small watermelon wedges, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and boiling water in a heatproof container and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Add the cubed watermelon to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Roll the lemons on the countertop, then juice enough lemons to obtain 1½ cups of fresh lemon juice.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a 2-quart pitcher or container. Pour in the lemon juice and watermelon puree, using a spoon to help the liquid pass through the strainer. Discard any remaining pulp.
- Add the cooled simple syrup, then fill the pitcher with cold water until it reaches the 2-quart mark.
- Stir well and refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges if desired.
Notes
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 95Total Fat: 0gSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 23g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients used and serving size.