Learn how to make Watermelon Lemonade with this easy and delicious Watermelon Lemonade recipe! It’s a simple homemade lemonade with PRO tips and tricks – perfect for summer!
![watermelon lemonade recipe](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-title.jpg)
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
We can’t think of any 2 things more quintessentially summer than lemonade and watermelon! If you’ve been a reader of The Busy Baker for any length of time you’ll already know how much we love a good, refreshing summer drink, and this delicious Watermelon Lemonade recipe is one of our favourite ways to quench that summer thirst. Trust us – one sip and you’ll know it’s great for summer entertaining, and kids LOVE it!
- It is EASY to MAKE: Just a few simple ingredients and this lemonade is ready in minutes!
- It’s so REFRESHING: Watermelon is one of the most refreshing summer flavours and a cool glass of this watermelon lemonade is the epitome of summer refreshment!
- It’s easy to MAKE AHEAD: Whip up a batch a day in advance and it’ll be ready for when you need a cool glass on a hot summer afternoon!
- It’s perfect for ENTERTAINING: This watermelon lemonade is perfect for kids and is always a crowd-pleaser!
![watermelon lemonade in a mason jar with a straw](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-1.jpg)
Choosing the most flavourful watermelon is a critical step to making the perfect watermelon lemonade. Here are some watermelon-picking tips to ensure you choose a winner every time!
- Look for uniformity: The watermelon should be firm and symmetrical without any flat sides. It should also be free from bruises, cuts, or dents in the rind.
- Choose round: Round watermelons are usually sweeter and have the most juice, compared to oval-shaped ones.
- Pick it up: A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size, which indicates it’s full of water and will likely be nice and juicy.
- Check the field spot: The spot where the melon rests on the ground as it grows in the field should be a creamy yellow colour. A white sport or a light green spot might mean it’s under ripe and won’t be very sweet.
- Check the webbing: Ripe watermelons have a larger green pattern (called webbing). Watermelons with smaller webbing are known for being more on the bland side.
- Go for dark skin: Dark green-skinned watermelons are usually sweeter and juicier than ones with light green skin. Bonus points if the skin is dull instead of shiny.
- Tap it: Knock on the outside of the watermelon; a ripe watermelon will have a deep hollow sound. Under-ripe or over-ripe melons tend to sound dull when you tap on the skin.
![watermelon lemonade recipe](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-9.jpg)
Follow these tips to make this watermelon lemonade the best it can be!
The fresher the fruit, the better the flavour will be. Ripe and firm lemons make the best and most flavourful drink – choosing the best watermelon (according to our guide above!) will take it to the next level!
Make sure to strain the watermelon concentrate with a fine mesh sieve to hold the pulp and seeds back from the beverage.
Adjust the amount of simple syrup depending on your tastes. You’ll want a balance of both the lemonade and the watermelon flavour.
The lemonade tastes best once it has chilled. Feel free to add in some ice cubes to help chill the lemonade as you serve it.
Chill the lemonade in the fridge. If using ice, add it to individual glasses right before serving. This will keep the ice from diluting the lemonade.
![pink watermelon lemonade recipe in a Ball mason jar](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-7.jpg)
If you are having issues while making this delicious summer beverage, we recommend these solutions to help you fix them.
Make sure to strain the watermelon mixture through a fine mesh strainer to catch the pulp and any seed fragments to give the lemonade a smooth texture.
Use fresh lemons, not bottled lemon juice or overripe lemons, to give the lemonade a refreshing flavour, not bitter. Also make sure to use fresh, ripe watermelon as this will affect the flavour.
Make sure to adjust the taste as you go. Add a little bit of simple syrup at a time to make sure it is the taste you want and doesn’t end up too sweet. You can always add a little more lemon to balance out the sweetness, if you wish.
Adjust the simple syrup to taste. Feel free to add extra watermelon to temper the tartness of the lemons.
![summer drink in a mason jar](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-8.jpg)
To make this homemade watermelon lemonade recipe, you’ll need these kitchen items on hand (paid links):
![summer drink in a mason jar](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-5.jpg)
You will need these ingredients to make this watermelon lemonade recipe (paid links):
- 4 cups fresh watermelon, cut into cubes
- 8 fresh lemons
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (try our EASY homemade Simple Syrup recipe!) or use honey
- 4 cups sparkling water
- ice
- lemon slices
Try one of these delicious variations on the basic watermelon lemonade recipe!
- Sparkling – Make it with sparkling water for a bubbly version of this treat! Garnish the glasses with a small watermelon slice and a lemon slice!
- Raspberry – Drop a handful of ripe raspberries into your lemonade and give it a gentle stir. It will add visual appeal and a subtle raspberry flavour alongside the watermelon.
- Pineapple – Add chunks of fresh pineapple to your lemonade for a tropical twist! The tropical sweetness of pineapple pairs beautifully with the tang of lemons and the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Mint – Infuse your lemonade with a handful of fresh mint leaves. The cool, invigorating taste of mint adds a burst of freshness alongside the watermelon, making it a great choice for those hot summer days!
![jar of watermelon lemonade](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-4.jpg)
Time needed: 10 minutes
Follow these simple steps to make this lemonade with watermelon!
- Prepare the fruit.
Chop the watermelon into 1 inch cubes, removing the peel and the big seeds. Juice the lemons.
- Add ingredients to blender.
Add the watermelon cubes, the lemon juice, and the honey or simple syrup to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain.
Strain the mixture into a bowl or very large pitcher through a fine mesh strainer. You will end up with about 4 cups watermelon lemonade concentrate.
- Combine and serve.
To serve, add the watermelon lemonade concentrate and an equal amount of cold water to a pitcher along with some ice. Alternatively, you can add 1/2 cup of the concentrate to each cup, over ice, and top up with water or sparkling water.
![summer drink in a mason jar with paper straws](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-2.jpg)
Can I make this recipe an alcoholic cocktail for adults?
Yes, feel free to add gin or vodka for an adults-only cocktail for summer.
Is watermelon and lemon a good combination?
Yes! The sweetness of the watermelon creates a perfect balance with the tartness of the lemons.
Do I have to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice for this recipe?
Fresh lemon juice is far superior to bottled lemon juice, so be sure to select the best, fresh large lemons for this recipe.
Can I make this recipe with lime instead of lemon?
Feel free to substitute the lemons with limes to make a delicious watermelon limeade!
![watermelon lemonade in a mason jar](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-6.jpg)
![lemonade with watermelon in a mason jar](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-3.jpg)
We hope you love this delicious lemonade recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite lemonade flavour? We’d love to know!
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Peach Iced Tea
- Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade (Copycat Recipe)
- Healthy Homemade Frappuccino
- Blueberry Lemonade
- Sparkling Peach Mango Refresher
- Healthy Homemade Iced Tea
- Watermelon Green Tea Refresher
If you made this, share a photo!
Are you trying this recipe? Use the comment form below to share your take; now with support for image uploads and comment voting!
Watermelon Lemonade
![](https://thebusybaker.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermelon-lemonade-fb-ig-1-750x750.jpg)
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh watermelon cut into cubes
- 8 fresh lemons
- 1/4 cup simple syrup or use liquid honey
For serving:
- 4 cups water or use sparkling water
- ice
- lemon slices
Recipe: Instructions
- Chop the watermelon into 1 inch cubes, removing the peel and the big seeds.
- Juice the lemons.
- Add the watermelon cubes, the lemon juice, and the honey or simple syrup to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture into a bowl or very large pitcher through a fine mesh strainer. You will end up with about 4 cups watermelon lemonade concentrate.
- To serve, add the watermelon lemonade concentrate and an equal amount of cold water to a pitcher along with some ice. Alternatively you can add 1/2 cup of the concentrate to each cup, over ice, and top up with water or sparkling water.
Recipe: Notes
Storage and Freezer Instructions
This watermelon lemonade concentrate keeps well in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can freeze this watermelon lemonade concentrate in ice cube trays for up to 3 months and defrost it in sparkling water or in a serving pitcher.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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