Cool off with the best watermelon recipes! Drinks, salads, frozen treats & more-easy, refreshing ideas for summer parties, picnics & BBQs.
On a long, hot summer evening, nothing beats an ice-cold slice of watermelon - seeds and all! Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, packing for a picnic, or just need something refreshing on a hot day, watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit.
We've collected the best watermelon recipes for all your summer celebrations, including kid-friendly beverages, adult cocktails, frozen treats, soup, salad, salsa, appetizers, and even watermelon steak.
Before we get to the recipes, here's a little watermelon fun:
7 Surprising Facts about Watermelons
- Watermelon is a trailing vine, highly cultivated all over the world, with more than 1,000 identified varieties, 300 of which are cultivated in North and South America.
- Watermelon is only loosely considered a melon by botanists: it is actually a pepo. A pepo is a berry with a thick rind and a fleshy center.
- In the wild, watermelons grow to only about eight inches across, while cultivated plants can grow melons as big as 24 inches. The heaviest watermelon on record weighed 262 pounds (The Guinness Book of World Records).
- Watermelon seeds thought to be 5000 years old were discovered at a prehistoric archaeological site in southwestern Libya.
- In 1776, the first cookbook - American Cookery - was published in the U.S., and contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
- Farmers in Japan use forms to grow watermelons in all kinds of different shapes: cubes, pyramids, hearts, and even human faces.
- In the United States, we celebrate National Watermelon Day on August 3rd. Watermelon Day is also celebrated in Japan, on July 27th.
Watermelon FAQs
What goes well with watermelon in recipes?
Watermelon pairs beautifully with salty, tangy, and fresh flavors. Feta cheese, mint, lime juice, cucumber, jalapeño, basil, and balsamic vinegar are all popular pairings. For drinks, watermelon mixes well with lemon, lime, ginger, and berries. Try it in a refreshing summer salad or a fun watermelon cocktail.
Can you freeze watermelon?
Yes! You can freeze watermelon chunks for smoothies, slushies, or frozen cocktails. Just cut the fruit into cubes, remove seeds, and spread them on a baking sheet before freezing. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen watermelon is best used within 6 months.
How do you pick a sweet watermelon?
Look for a creamy yellow "field spot" where the watermelon rested on the ground, a uniform shape, and a hollow sound when tapped. A heavier watermelon usually means it's full of juice and sweetness. Choosing a ripe, sweet watermelon can be tricky. Want more tips? Don't miss our guide on how to pick the sweetest watermelon before you dive into these recipes.
Is watermelon healthy?
Absolutely! Watermelon is more than 90% water, making it naturally hydrating. It's also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health. For more light and healthy summer ideas, see our picnic recipes roundup.
When is watermelon in season?
In the U.S., watermelon season typically runs from May through September, with peak sweetness in mid-summer. You'll often find the best prices and flavor around July and August. That makes watermelon perfect for 4th of July celebrations and backyard cookouts.
25 Refreshing Watermelon Recipes
Watermelon is naturally hydrating (over 90% water), full of antioxidants like lycopene, and surprisingly versatile in the kitchen. From quick snacks to colorful desserts, these easy watermelon ideas will inspire you to enjoy this summer fruit in new and delicious ways.
Watermelon Drinks & Beverages
Stay cool with refreshing watermelon drinks, from family-friendly smoothies and agua fresca to icy cocktails for the grown-ups. These are perfect for summer parties, barbecues, and poolside sipping.
Creamy Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie
This strawberry watermelon smoothie is an easy way to kick off the day. Enjoy this healthy watermelon smoothie for breakfast any day of the week! (It's great for cooling off on a hot day, too!)
Sparkling Watermelon Mint Lemonade
This natural, lightly sweetened sparkling watermelon mint lemonade is made with agave nectar and 5 simple ingredients for a delicious, refreshing summer drink that is perfect for backyard BBQs and summer parties!
Easy 'Otai (Polynesian Watermelon Drink)
'Otai, a watermelon drink popular in Polynesia, is a refreshing mixture usually made with coconut milk or cream. This lower-fat almond milk version is just as creamy, and dairy-free, too!
Watermelon Mint Lemonade
This watermelon mint lemonade is sweet, tart, and has the spicy bite of mint. Drink it as is and you’ve got a festive drink for the whole family to enjoy; or add some rum for a refreshing, summer cocktail.
Frosé (easy frozen rosé slushies)
A frosé is a cocktail made with frozen fruit and rosé wine. These refreshing grown-up slushies come together in minutes and are absolutely perfect for hot summer days. Watermelon frosé is sweet, flavorful, and a great way to cool off!
Watermelon Detox Water
Watermelon Detox Water is a healthy twist to your regular drinking water. Fresh watermelon, lemon, mint, and ginger mix to make a great summer cooling drink to beat the heat.
Strawberry Watermelon Punch
This Strawberry Watermelon Punch is perfect for brunches, picnics. or summer parties. You can make it alcoholic or non-alcoholic – so it’s great for kids too! It’s easy to make and super refreshing!
Refreshing Watermelon Mimosa
A Watermelon Mimosa is a perfect summer cocktail! Made with fresh sweet watermelon juice and sparkling wine (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), it's great for sipping on the patio.
Strawberry Watermelon Sangria Slushie
Icy watermelon and strawberries blended with your favorite white wine make a frosty sangria, perfect for a hot summer day!
Watermelon Rum Punch
This watermelon rum punch recipe is a refreshing tropical drink from the Caribbean, perfect for summer.
Ginger and Grilled Watermelon Cocktail
This sweet Ginger and Grilled Watermelon Cocktail brings backyard grilling flavors to your drink glass.
Frozen Watermelon Treats
When the temperatures soar, frozen watermelon desserts hit the spot. Try everything from sorbets and popsicles to creative no-bake desserts that make the most of summer’s sweetest fruit.*
Watermelon Sorbet
Watermelon Sorbet has all the taste of regular watermelon but in iced form; perfect for a summer afternoon!
Kiwi Watermelon Fruit Popsicles
These Kiwi Watermelon Fruit Popsicles are made of 100% fruit, and so refreshing and satisfying on hot summer days.
Watermelon Ice Cream
This is easy recipe that requires only 4 ingredients! Make your own creamy watermelon ice cream at home and surprise everyone with this unique flavor!
Watermelon Salads, Salsas & Soups
Watermelon isn’t just for sweets—it shines in savory dishes, too. Pair it with feta, toss it into salads, turn it into salsa, or even throw it on the grill for a show-stopping side dish.
Watermelon Peach Salsa
This watermelon peach salsa is a juicy and refreshing side that can be served along with tortilla chips, chicken, fish or even eaten on its own! Packed full of nutrients, it's a perfect way to add a burst of flavor to any dish!
Watermelon Gazpacho
Watermelon gazpacho is an easy, healthy, and deliciously refreshing soup you make in the blender in minutes, perfect for summer.
Spicy Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
This simple, refreshing watermelon salad takes just 10 minutes to put together, and is perfect for hot summer days and BBQs.
Watermelon Blueberry Salad without Honey
This refreshing summer Watermelon Blueberry Salad with lime, mint, and pure maple syrup is a delight to both the eyes and the taste buds. Enjoy it for breakfast, as a side dish or snack, or for dessert.
Watermelon Arugula Salad
Sweet watermelon, juicy cucumber, and salty feta cheese are the perfect flavor combination nestled on a bed of tangy arugula.
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho Soup
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho Soup is a sweet and savory bowl of healthy deliciousness that you can have on your table in less than 20 minutes.
Grilled Watermelon Salad
This Grilled Watermelon Salad is the best! You’ve never experienced a fruit like watermelon on the grill!
Unique & Creative Watermelon Ideas
Beyond the classics, watermelon can surprise you! These recipes include appetizers, snacks, and unexpected twists—like grilled watermelon “steak” or pickled watermelon rind—that prove this fruit is more versatile than you think.
Take-Along Watermelon Skewers with Feta and Mint Pesto
These take-along watermelon skewers with feta and mint pesto dressing are a quick and easy appetizer or snack for your next outdoor gathering, BBQ, or picnic!
Mini Watermelon Cakes
These mini watermelon cakes are an easy, healthy no bake dessert. Cool and light, they can be made in advance for your next summer party.
Watermelon Brie Bites
These watermelon brie bites are a great way to use up extra watermelon and have a tasty, refreshing treat!
Grilled Watermelon Steak
This recipe for grilled watermelon steak makes a great appetizer with a refreshing and tangy taste. Topping it with cheese, balsamic glaze, and fresh basil leaves, it is a delicious addition for your next cookout.
Watermelon is one of those ingredients that brings instant summer vibes, whether you're enjoying it straight off the rind or dressed up in a recipe. Try one (or a few!) of these watermelon recipes for your next potluck, picnic, or backyard cookout-and don't forget to bookmark this list for National Watermelon Day on August 3rd!
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