Quick and Easy Watermelon Lemonade is the perfect drink for a a BBQ, summer party or simply any warm day. The marrying of two classic summer flavours, watermelon and lemon.
It can be made easily in minute, like this recipe. Another version completely homemade for those who need to have more control over the ingredients. With our homemade version this Homemade Watermelon Lemonade found HERE can be made with vegan sugar, and top allergen friendly components.
Jump to:
- Why We Like This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions/ Directions and Tips
- Substitutions For Watermelon and Lemon Flavours
- Variations/ Adaptations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage
- Top Tip for Making Quick and Easy Watermelon Lemonade
- What To Serve With This Recipe
- Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- 📖 Recipe
- Food Safety
- Latest Posts
- 💬 Comments
Why We Like This Recipe
This is our kid's favourite summer refreshing drink. Two of their favourite flavours that quench of the season, watermelon and lemon. It was so good during a heatwave at quenching one's thirst. They love that there is a homemade and quick making option so that they can also make their own.
There are two ways to make this recipe, neither is wrong. One if for those who like to control exactly what goes into their drinks and food or do the homemade thing and the other is for people pressed for time. We do both depending on how much time and how many times I have to make it.
Sometimes I feel that we as those with allergies and food restrictions need to make everything from scratch so if we can take a safe shortcut, why not?
Please choose the best method for you depending on how you like to cook and your available time. This recipe is for the quick and easy method but if you'd prefer a from scratch recipe, try our Homemade Watermelon Lemonade.
Ingredients
Easy No-Fuss Method Ingredients That you will need :
Watermelon Juice -
In the refrigerated section of the grocery store in most North American cities you can find ready made watermelon juice year round. One brand I find works well is Tropicana Watermelon Fruit Beverage.
Lemonade -
The frozen concentrate works best. The kind in a can in the freezer section that you add cans of water to. I like the Minute Maid regular in a colour that is yellowy/white, not pink. The original flavour is the best as it has the perfect tartness for this recipe. Grab a can from the freezer section of the grocer's and thaw it. Don't automatically add all the cans of water to the jug, only add them after the watermelon juice has been added. After each can of water, check the taste until you get the concentration you like. We usually omit one can of water as we prefer a stronger lemonade.
Lemon Slices -
Throw them in the mixed juice jug and no one will know you didn't make it from scratch. You can also add frozen watermelon chunks as ice cubes, if you have time.
Vegan Ingredients -
For a vegan friendly drink make sure to choose juices and concentrates that are certified vegan. They need to be made with vegan sugar and free from dyes and ingredients that are tested on animals.
Instructions/ Directions and Tips
1- Thaw the frozen lemonade concentrate.
2- Add the concentrate to a large jug. Reserve the concentrate can for later.
3- Pour in the watermelon juice and stir well.
4- One by one add the amount of cans of extremely cold water suggested on the lemonade concentrate. After adding each can, taste the drink until you reach your personal favourite concentration. We usually add all but one for our tastes.
5- Stir well and add in lemon slices for added flavour.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves, lemon rounds, and frozen watermelon cubes are perfect to jazz up quick and easy watermelon lemonade.
Hint: If you are looking for an adult beverage try adding a shot of potato vodka.
Substitutions For Watermelon and Lemon Flavours
If watermelon is not one of your safe foods or even a flavour you like, other flavours can be used.
Replace Peach concentrate in place of the watermelon juice.
Kiwi juice, mango, pear, or other juices can be used from concentrate or ready prepared from the grocer fridges.
We do not recommend using orange, apple, grape, or grapefruit juice in place of the watermelon juice. Use in place of the lemonade, instead.
Variations/ Adaptations
There are many ways to make a simple drink like quick and easy watermelon lemonade, your own recipe.
Additions-
Add in other flavours to compliment the flavours of both the watermelon and lemonade. Herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, and thyme make great additions. Cucumber is also perfect to add to this drink.
Spicy-
For a spicy twist on this drink, rim the cup with a bit of kosher salt and add jalapenos into the mix. Let stand in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Fizzy-
Replacing the water with carbonated water will give a nice fizzy and celebratory taste. Another way of fizzing up the drink mix is to replace some of the water with a lemon lime pop or soda. Taste often when adding soda to make sure it doesn't get too sweet.
Frozen Drink-
If you are looking for a slushy version of quick and easy watermelon lemonade instead of adding all the water replace at least ⅔ to ½ with ice. In a high powdered blender mix until the right consistency that can be slurped up a straw and is cooling in the summer heat.
Adult Version-
Adding vodka or gin to the mix will bring this summery drink the most delightful adult spin to it. We like to use potato vodka as some are made with wheat and the protein content can be ambiguous in the alcohol after the distilling process. Try this version with the above frozen drink variation.
Equipment
For this Easy No-Fuss Method all you need is a Jug and spoon for the drink portion. For the garnishes and lemon slices a cutting board and knife.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
-Fridge
This quick and easy Watermelon Lemonade will keep for 72 hours in the fridge. Best stored in a covered jug.
This recipe is not well suited for freezing as a drink, however it does work well as a frozen ice lolly.
Reheating
Reheating is not required for this recipe as it doesn't freeze well.
Store the wet ingredients (lettuce, tomato, onion) separately from the dry ingredients (buns) in the fridge, and recombine when ready. Good for 2-3 days.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top Tip for Making Quick and Easy Watermelon Lemonade
This is the quick and easy watermelon lemonade recipe, if it is not suitable for you or you wish to make it from scratch, try our Homemade Watermelon Lemonade.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This watermelon and lemon drink is perfect for a hot day on its own. Perfect for large crowds, quick and easy Watermelon Lemonade is excellent at a BBQ . Quickly made the lemonade variation is party ready. A burger and roasted corn, or a potato salad are excellent with this summer drink.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
📖 Recipe
Quick and Easy Watermelon Lemonade- GF/DF, Top 8 Free
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Add to Shopping ListIngredients
- 1 Litre Watermelon Juice, store bought like Simply Watermelon
- 1 Frozen Concentrated Lemonade, can thawed (we like Minute Maid)
- 1 Lemon cut in thin slices
Instructions
- Pour the thawed lemonade concentrate in a large jug. Reserve the can from the concentrate.
- Add the watermelon juice.
- Stir well
- Add the water using the concentrated lemonade can one by one. Add up to the stated amount on the lemonade concentrate can. (we usually omit the last can of water)
- Stir and Taste after each one until you get the desired taste.
- Add lemon slices to the jug.
- Serve over ice with lemon slices as garnish on the glasses or in the jug
Notes
Allergy Note 1
Always check that each ingredient is safe for you. Reading all the ingredients and labelling as well as checking with the manufacturer should always be done before buying any product. Each person's allergies are different and only you and your medical team can determine what is best for you. Checking with the manufacturer is best practice to see if shared lines, or facilities are used when making any of the suggested products. Just because a product is right for us does not mean it is safe for anyone else. You must do your own research on each product.
Allergy Note 2
If making this recipe for anyone with an allergy always check with them for suitable products and ingredients. Each person knows their allergies best and can advise on what is safe for them to eat. Keep in mind that if making for another person they may not be able to eat it with shared prep surfaces, cooking equipment, and kitchens or other safety reasons.
Allergy Note 3
This is not medical advice. Always discuss your allergies, nutrition, and suitable products and recipes with your medical team before using.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
"The Allergen Free Kitchen" is not a registered dietician or nutritionist, does not replace a registered dietician or nutritionist and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend you consult with your medical team to find a registered dietician or nutritionist and for you to calculate the nutritional information. Calories and nutritional values can vary vastly depending on which brands were used and any substitutions used.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on allergen free food and drinks , that previously touched allergen containing foods and drinks
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave drinks sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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