This easy nonalcoholic watermelon drink is one of my favorite recipes! Including a simple syrup with orange zest and fresh watermelon that's been pureed in the blender, this healthy drink is simply refreshing, sweet, and delicious! Perfect for kids.
Even when I'm not gestating, I don't consume much alcohol. It's a medical issue. I like to drink, but I really shouldn't because of some of the medicines that I take.
I saw a wonderful, summery watermelon drink recipe in the June issue of Everyday Food, but it called for tequila. Wanting to imbibe, I made some changes to the recipe and stirred it up for our family.
Two very minor changes turned the watermelon cocktail into a non-alcoholic watermelon mocktail perfect for our whole family. Even 2-year-old Grace loved it.
How to make a refreshing non alcoholic watermelon drink
- In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until sugar completely dissolves, about 3 minutes. Pour through a strainer to remove the orange zest and let cool in a bowl.
Alternate microwave instructions: Add sugar, water, and zest to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir well. If needed, microwave in 1 minute intervals until the sugar has all dissolved. - In a blender, purée 2 cups of watermelon chunks until smooth.
- Combine the watermelon purée, syrup, and lime juice in a 2 quart pitcher. Mix well. Add soda and stir gently. Pour into glasses.
- Garnish with lime wedges, watermelon shapes, or mint sprigs.
You could substitute any fruit for the watermelon in this recipe.
Recipe
A Refreshing Non Alcoholic Watermelon Drink
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cups sugar
- ½ cups water
- 3 oranges zested
- 2 cups watermelon seeded and cubed
- ¼ cups lime juice about equal to the juice from 3 limes
- ¾ cups lemon-lime soda pop or club soda
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until sugar completely dissolves, about 3 minutes. Pour through a strainer to remove the zest, and then let syrup cool in a bowl.
- In a blender, puree 2 cups of watermelon cubes until smooth.
- In a 2-quart pitcher, combine watermelon puree, syrup, and lime juice. Mix well. Add soda and stir very gently. Pour into glasses.
- Garnish with lime wedges, watermelon wedges, or mint sprigs.
jennelsonlane says
I'm so glad you shared this recipe! I had something similar at a baby shower a few years ago, but I've never been able to replicate it. I will be making this soon!
alison_r says
This looks and sounds AMAZING!
Thanks so much for sharing!
I very rarely drink and since the birth of our daughter, I drink even less! So, I love the idea of mocktails!
April Harris says
This looks so delicious and summery! Perfect for a summer party - and how wonderful to have something so pretty to offer those who are not drinking alcohol!
Rachel - A Southern Fairytale says
I LOVE.
I'm throwing my BF a baby shower in june and I am ABSOLUTELY serving these!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Those look heavenly!!! 🙂 I definitely want to give this recipe a go. 🙂 I'm visiting from Kimba's party. 🙂
FeelsLikeHomeBlog says
It would be perfect for a baby shower!
christyisrc says
What a fun idea, I am always looking for mocktails! Here from Homemaker Monday.
Jackie says
These sound so good! Love it when summer comes and so does the fresh, yummy fruit!
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
Oooooooh, these look FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing! (Here from B&B.)
Live.Love.Eat says
I'll take mine with alcohol please 🙂 Looks refreshing!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
Oh yum! You are a clever and creative gal.
I just completed a project that took 23 years. Come take a peek.
Ruth H. says
This looks and sounds really, really good. We just ate our first watermelon of the season last night....and I'm craving more!
Joyce says
Refreshing! Thanks for sharing and it is so colorful too.
Lori E says
You don't mind if I have your tequila in my glass do you? Thanks.
Watermelon is so refreshing no matter how you server it. This is a great summer thirst quencher with lots of anti-oxidants in it to.
nicolefelicianmo says
This looks so cool and pretty. Perfect for summer entertaining and your photo is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing and linking.
givinguponperfect says
That looks beautiful and sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it and see how it tastes! 🙂
ButterYum says
What a photo - my goodness! That color is amazing.
Susan says
This sounds good and is beautiful. The lime would cut the sweetness!
Donna Amedio says
Made this for Cinco De Mayo for my grand daughters, they loved it,. Made it again with the leftover watermelon so I could have some. It’s a great way to use leftover watermelon. It was delicious. Also used it for watermelon margaritas which by the way were fantastic. One thing that I did the second time I made it was to use the limes that I squeezed for the juice was to add them to the simple syrup for added flavor know need to waste. Great recipe, thanks for sharing.