Watermelon Cooler

Name: Watermelon Cooler
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6 glasses
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 1 kg chilled watermelon flesh, weighed after removing the rind and black pips, cut into chunks; 30 ml freshly squeezed lime juice; 20 g caster sugar, or less to taste; 500 ml chilled plain sparkling water; Ice cubes; 6 small fresh mint sprigs, rinsed; 6 small watermelon wedges

Be the first to rate

15 min totalPrep: 15 min Serves 6 glasses Drink

Watermelon Cooler in clear glasses with ice, mint leaves and small watermelon wedges

This Watermelon Cooler recipe is a simple way to put a ripe summer watermelon to good use on a hot South African Christmas. Fresh lime balances the sweetness, while sparkling water keeps the drink light enough to enjoy alongside a generous festive lunch.

Start with cold fruit and chilled sparkling water so you do not need heaps of ice, which can dilute the flavour. You can blend the watermelon base earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge while you get on with the food.

Add the bubbles just before serving, then finish each glass with mint and a small watermelon wedge. It is alcohol-free, easy to pour from a jug and just as welcome beside the braai as at the Christmas table.

Ingredients

Servings6

For the cooler

1 kg chilled watermelon flesh, weighed after removing the rind and black pips, cut into chunks
30 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
20 g caster sugar, or less to taste
500 ml chilled plain sparkling water

To serve

Ice cubes
6 small fresh mint sprigs, rinsed
6 small watermelon wedges

Instructions

1
Put the watermelon chunks into a blender, working in batches if necessary.
2
Add the lime juice and caster sugar. If the watermelon is particularly sweet, start with half the sugar.
3
Blend until smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 30–60 seconds. Taste and add the remaining sugar only if needed, then blend briefly again.
4
Pour the watermelon base into a jug with a capacity of at least 2 litres. For a smoother drink, pass it through a coarse sieve first, pressing lightly with a spoon.
5
When ready to serve, slowly pour in the chilled sparkling water and stir gently once or twice to combine without losing too many bubbles.
6
Divide a few ice cubes between six glasses. Pour in the cooler, allowing approximately 250 ml per glass.
7
Gently clap each mint sprig between your palms to release its scent. Add one to each glass, garnish with a watermelon wedge and serve straight away.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 65 kcal
Carbohydrates: 16.4 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 0.3 g
Saturated fat: 0 g
Sugar: 13.8 g
Fibre: 0.7 g
Sodium: 3 mg
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Estimated values based on the ingredients used.

Notes

Christmas tips

Chill the watermelon and sparkling water overnight to keep preparation quick on Christmas morning.
Blend the watermelon, lime and sugar up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then stir well before adding the sparkling water at serving time.
For a garden lunch or braai, keep the jug in an ice bucket and top up glasses in small batches rather than leaving the drink in the sun.
Freeze extra watermelon cubes ahead of time and use them in place of some of the ice to reduce dilution.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave out the sugar?

Yes. A ripe watermelon may be sweet enough on its own. Blend it with the lime juice first, taste, and add sugar only if needed.

Can I use lemon juice instead of lime?

Yes. Start with 20 ml fresh lemon juice, taste the blended base and add a little more if you would like a sharper finish.

Do I have to strain the watermelon?

No. Unstrained watermelon gives the cooler a little body and keeps more of the fruit's fibre. Strain it if you prefer a smoother drink; the final yield may be slightly lower. Nutrition estimates assume an unstrained cooler with all 20 g of sugar, excluding ice and garnishes.

Made this recipe? Rate it!