My living room looks like the final destination of a liquor store heist. It’s full of cardboard boxes with Bacardi and Bombay brands stamped on the side, but the boxes aren’t full of clinking liquor bottles. They are stuffed with my books and cooking equipment and there is still so much more to pack away, aye aye aye!
I’m finally making good on my New Year’s resolution to get out of this Oklahoma college town. Kansas City, here we come! I found a great place with hard wood floors, a sunroom and lots of vintage charm. It will be a while before my things are settled into their new places, though, so please bear with me if posts are farther between over the next week. Sometimes life gets in the way.
Yesterday evening, I made a pitcher of sweet, refreshing watermelon juice to keep me hydrated while I pack my life away. It takes me back to San Pedro Island, where I sipped watermelon juice under the shade of a palm tree earlier this month. We walked down the beach from Sunbreeze, where we were staying, to Estel’s, where we enjoyed a leisurely, traditional Belizean breakfast—scrambled eggs, refried black beans and fry jacks, complete with watermelon juice. It was a good start to a very good day.
Watermelon juice couldn’t be easier to extract. You don’t need a fancy schmancy juicer, just a blender. Scoop the watermelon into the blender, blend for about thirty seconds, and ta da! You have made watermelon juice.
As you would expect, watermelon juice is good for you. It’s high in vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. It’s about 92% water, so it’s plenty hydrating, too (nutrition source). I thought my juice was perfectly sweet without any added sugar, but I added a squeeze of lime juice for that extra zing.
Some instructions will tell you to strain the juice through a mesh colander, but I prefer my juice straight from the blender. Easy! Give it a little whorl with a spoon if the mixture separates. If you are thinking about adding a splash of tequila or white rum… good idea. Do that.
- 1 small sweet, organic watermelon (a 6 pounder will do)
- 1 small lime, juiced
- Slice the watermelon in half. Assuming your watermelon isn’t seedless, slice the halves into smaller strips and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds. Discard the seeds, and scoop chunks of watermelon from the rind into the blender. If the watermelon is seedless, use a big spoon to scoop chunks of watermelon flesh into the blender. Discard the rind.
- Blend the watermelon until it is totally pulverized. This shouldn’t take more than a minute. Squeeze the juice of one small lime into the blender and blend for a few seconds. Pour the watermelon juice into a pitcher or pour directly into glasses, over ice.
- Watermelon juice inspired by my trip to Belize for the launch of Flavors of Belize, the cookbook.
- Your juice will only be as good as your watermelon, so find a good one at a farmer’s market or health store.
- My 6.5 pound watermelon yielded about 5 cups of juice.
- The juice will separate over time, just stir it with a spoon to recombine.
- You can make cantaloupe juice using the exact same method!
- You might also like my melon cocktails—try the watermelon cucumber cooler or cantaloupe fiesta cocktail.
55 Comments
Mmmmm I love watermelons! Your photos are beautiful, Kate. Last week watermelon was on sale at my nearest grocery store for $3.77, and call me crazy, but I demolished 7 of them in a week. Yes, 7, and they were by no means mini ones. As you can imagine, watermelon babies grew in my belly and I looked about 6 months pregnant all week, but it was just so freakin’ good. Your pitcher (with the hole in the middle) is awesome! Where is it from?
PS. Congrats on the move and the new place! Sounds like an exciting adventure ahead!
That is a lot of watermelon! I’m glad you’re getting your fill of them. The pitcher is from Crate and Barrel! I love it!
Isn’t it amazing how a food or drink can almost immediately transport us to a past vacation or fond memory? I had the best watermelon juice on vacation in Hawaii. Its about time I make myself a glass and remember watching the waves roll in and out!
So true! It’s fun to find local ingredients and try to make those travel favorites at home.
OMG, my husband is going to die over this one. Watermelon is his FAVE and he goes through several a week as he snacks through the day. He doesn’t even cut them up, just scoops out the innards. Can’t WAIT to see/hear/experience the move. So excited for your new adventure. Liquor store heist, hee hee. That made me laugh.
Watermelon juice is one of my favorite things. It’s so refreshing (probably because watermelon is packed with water!). I’m so excited for you and the big move. I’ve heard great things about KC and I’m sure you’re new apartment is just gorgeous. Can’t wait to see pics and follow your new life there. Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Kasey! If you ever have an excuse to come visit KC, please do!
Ah! So exciting, Kathryn — looking forward to hearing about the adventures ahead!
Watermelon juice sounds like the most refreshing drink ever for long sultry summer days. Love it!
I love watermelon juice! First time making some a few weeks ago and I’m hooked.
Goodluck with your move. Having just been through a big one in the spring, I feel your pain! The reward is always worth it though. Enjoy getting settled in your new place.
Thanks, Angela! Moving seems daunting now but I’m sure it will be worth the effort! Wish I could fast forward to my neat and organized new apartment…
Moving is fun! Well, once you’re all moved. I hope you enjoy your new scenery, everyone needs a change once in awhile.
YUM! Sounds so refreshing!!!! Good luck with your move! Can’t wait to hear more about it and see pics of your new place! Hope you’re getting a bigger kitchen :) ….. Also, I have that Crate & Barrel pitcher too, it’s one of my favs!!! I just think it’s so cool! hehe
Thanks, Autumn! Maybe I’ll post a few photos once I have everything in order in my new place. I got that pitcher for Christmas, LOVE it!
Love your pitcher! Yes please to the lime and rum additions :). Congratulations on the move – hope you’ll share pictures of your new space!
hello kate, this is my first post. i’m a recent reader of your blog. though i haven’t crossed over from blog- and cookbook-reading to actually cooking/baking/mixing … i’m getting closer :)
about this watermelon juice, have you tried adding beet juice? i recently had watermelon-beet-tangerine juice and it was perfection. fresh, sweet and a little tang. the beets were the secret, though, adding something extra.
Hope you’re inspired to try one of my recipes soon, Carmen! No, I haven’t tried adding beet juice. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to raw beets (they make my throat scratchy), so I don’t think drinking beet juice would be a good idea! I bet it would add lovely color, though.
Great minds in the the kitchen this week. I just made and posted about watermelon juice two days ago. So quick and easy. I loved it.
http://blahblahbirds.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/watermelon-juice/
My obsession with watermelon loves this post! Gorgeous juice and good luck with the move!
Was just browsing articles on punchfork and i of course as a Belizean had to drop in to say hi and glad you enjoyed your stay in Belize!
I’ve always said I wanted to make watermelon juice in the summer. I do have a juicer and it would be so easy. Thanks for the reminder. Love your pitcher. I have the same one. I got it as a housewarming gift a few years ago from my best friend. Isn’t it the perfect size?
It’s so perfect, I love that pitcher!
Inviting, pretty and I’m sure ultra-refreshing looking…can’t wait to make it. Thanks!
I put my watermelon chunks in the freezer and blend them with a touch of water and frozen limoncello. It turns into the most gorgeous pink slush that’s so refreshing after a hike or exercise in the summer.
That sounds fantastic! Yum.
yummmmm.
I wish you were moving to NYC!! Good luck with all the hustle and headaches that moving naturally brings. This watermelon juice looks insanely good, and so so refreshing!!
Love the colour of this, so bright and vibrant (and your photos really do it justice!). Good luck with the move :)
I’m so glad you don’t strain your juice. Why bother, right? This looks so refreshing.
Excited for you and your new digs. Look out Kansas City!! :)
This sounds perfect. Good luck with your move, lady!
This sounds awesome! Love it!
Wow, I’m so loving this refreshing watermelon juice drink! I’ve never thought of squeezing or juicing a watermelon…..brilliant Kate and totally irresistible when watermelon is so sweet! Pinned it and printed it too! Thank you!
If it makes you feel any better, when we move, we have Depends boxes. You know, adult incontinence products? Ya… my Mom used to work at a nursing home and when I first moved out of their house, it’s all the boxes they had. I was so embarrassed at 17 moving out of my parents house and having to explain to the movers that the boxes weren’t mine. The one guy was so cute, too! Enjoy the move :)
Ha! That’s hilarious. My apartment still looks like a liquor store, slowly but surely I’m disposing of those liquor boxes…
Love that pitcher! Watermelon juice is so yummy, but my favorite summer watermelon treat has to be watermelon popsicles.
good luck with the move kathryne! that sounds very exciting! :) a house with vintage charm and a sunroom sounds like my kind of house…
that pitcher is sooooooooo beautiful! where did you get it???
Thanks, Margarita. The pitcher is from Crate and Barrel, I love it!
Yummy! Love the color of this!
So happy for you, pretty lady.
Thank you, K. :)
I’m terribly excited about this drink. The Farmer’s Market I go to sells water with watermelon and basil in it, but it just tastes like … water with hints of watermelon and basil. I’ve been wanting something that tasted like it was supposed to. I think this might just be the thing. :)
Well, perhaps we’ll wait for you to get settled in for our Skype date. That way I can see the new digs! Watermelon and lime is one of my favorite combinations. Add a sprinkle of salt, so good.
Hey there Kathryne,
Ooooh I love watermelon juice! And it just feels good for you, doesn’t it?
And that pitcher of yours is a stunner:)
xxoo
E
I’m not a big juice drinker, but watermelon juice is quite an exception. Can’t get enough of it! Hope you’re well, Erin.
What a terrific idea! Simple recipes are the best! Couldn’t get any easier than this! Can’t wait to try it out- great blog!
Love that it takes you back to our island. And I LOVE watermelon juice. Great post.
Ooh this looks so refreshing!
So excited for your big move!!!! Can’t wait to see your new place.
Come see it! I almost have all the boxes put away.
watermelon is my favourite! my mother used to live off the stuff when I was little :)
Cant wait to make this for her when she next comes to visit! good luck with the move, look forward to your next post!
http://www.amazine.com The Online Magazine
Congratulations! This sounds like the most refreshing thing ever. I got a small watermelon in my CSA this week, so your timing is perfect. Happy packing!
I have a deep love of all things watermelon and never thought to puree the stuff–brilliant! There’s something so hopeful about moving, everything is so full of possibilities. Good luck with the transition!
Watermelon juice seems like a healthy substitution to all those juices with a lot of sugar. Thanks for the simple drink idea.
hi Kate! I’m going to miss seeing you walk cookie in my neighborhood park. good luck in Kansas city! I will, of course, keep an eye on the blog :)
Thank you, Jenny! :)
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