Say good-bye to packaged fruit juices this summer and opt for homemade fresh Watermelon Juice. Perfect to serve for summer picnics, bbq parties, potlucks with grilled appetizers. Recipe includes tips to pick a good watermelon.
Healthy, Refreshing, Perfect for quenching your thirst on hot days - Yes, I am talking about Watermelon Juice! A summer favorite beverage that instantly energizes you, is naturally sweet (no added sugar) and can be made easily at home.
When temperatures are soaring and you feel low on energy, water just wont suffice. It's time to hydrate with nature's best fruit - Watermelon!
Watermelon is 92% water which is why it is one of the best fruits to consume during summers. You can juice it, add it to a bowl and enjoy as a snack, turn them into popsicles or slushies or make a salad with feta cheese.
Come summers and I have a pitcher full of fresh Watermelon juice chilling in the refrigerator. We also love Shikanji (Indian Lemonade), Mango Milkshake and Chaas (Buttermilk) which are absolutely refreshing and natural.
My husband and I don't prefer packaged fruit juices and stick to fresh fruit juices, smoothies, coconut water and buttermilk to keep us hydrated during summers.
Packaged fruit juices come with added sugar and calories which can be easily avoided with refreshing and seasonal homemade fruit juices.
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How to Pick and Store Watermelon
Watermelon should be heavy. A heavy watermelon equals sweet tasting fruit. Ensure there are no bruises or cuts on the skin.
On either ends, check for a yellowish-green patch. This indicates the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.
Tap the watermelon to hear a hollow sound. It indicates good water content.
Watermelon can be left on the kitchen counter or in a fruit basket at room temperature. It does not need refrigeration until it is cut.
Once cut, cover and store in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.
During summers, you can freeze chopped pieces of watermelon to make popsicles or slushies.
Frozen watermelon cubes is one of the best ways to curb sugar cravings especially if you crave for sweet treats after a meal.
Step-wise Watermelon Juice Recipe
The only time consuming part about watermelon is removing the seeds. You can use the knife and remove the seeds carefully OR opt for a seedless variety of watermelon if you want to save yourself from the effort.
Easy way is to blend everything and pass it through a sieve. This saves time and my go-to method of juicing a watermelon.
I don't bother about the thin white seeds as they get crushed easily in the blender (also good for health).
I have used 2 ingredients for making the juice - Watermelon and Kala Namak (Black Salt). Black Salt adds a lovely taste to the drink, balances the sweetness of the fruit. You could also squeeze fresh lime juice and serve.
No ice cubes or chilled water is added while blending the juice. Ice Cubes can be added just before serving else it dilutes the fruit juice.
Adding Black Salt or Kala Namak is optional. You can use kosher salt or regular sea salt as well. Kala Namak has a great taste and in India, we love sprinkling them on freshly cut fruits.
No Added Sugar - Watermelon is naturally sweet and doesn't need any sweetener. However, if you find that the watermelon you picked is tasting bland, add some honey, sugar or maple syrup to adjust sweetness.
Variations
While I have shared a basic Watermelon Juice recipe, you can always experiment with fruit combos, herbs etc. I have shared below, some of the combinations or variations that is loved at home.
You can serve fresh Watermelon juice during picnics, summer barbeque parties with grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, broccoli tater tots etc.
Watermelon + Ginger + Lemon + Mint + Salt - Best kind of combination for summers. Summers often leads to loss of appetite or an upset stomach. Ginger and lemon makes it a perfect combination to help build appetite and cool the stomach.
Watermelon + Paprika + Salt + Lemon - A spicy take on the classic watermelon juice. You can try this combination with fruits like mango, pineapple, guava and green apple. You can convert this into a mean cocktail with vodka or gin.
Watermelon + Orange + Pineapple - Makes a perfect breakfast Juice packed with citrus flavors and a boost of Vitamin C.
Berries + Watermelon - Slightly tart berries and sweet watermelon make a fantastic combo.
Watermelon + Milk Combo
During Ramzan or Ramadan, Mohabbat ka Sherbet is quite popular. A cool beverage that contains milk, rose syrup, watermelon juice and finely chopped pieces of watermelon.
People consume it during Iftaar with snacks. The ingredients in the sherbet are cooling for the body after a day long fast.
Storage Instructions
I recommend consuming all fresh fruit juices, immediately.
However, you can refrigerate the juice and use within 24 - 48 hours.
I freeze fresh watermelon juice to make slushies during summers. Freezing increases shelf life and doesn't affect taste.
Other Drink Recipes to try
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Watermelon Juice Recipe
Equipment
- Juicer or Blender
Ingredients
- 750 gms Fresh Watermelon Read Notes Below
- ½ tsp Kala Namak or Black Salt
Instructions
- In a Blender or Juicer Jar, add the roughly chopped pieces of watermelon and black salt.
- Blend without adding any water or ice.
- Pass this juice through a sieve to remove the seeds.
- Serve Chilled in a tall glass with ice cubes.
Notes
- The watermelon I picked weighed 1 & 1/2 kilos and I have used half of it for the recipe. They were roughly chopped into big chunks (approx. 4 cups)
- You can add some water while blending the juice in case you find it too thick.
- This is a sugar free juice and uses only salt to elevate the taste. It can be consumed during fasting as we are using black salt or kala namak.
- If for some reason the watermelon is not sweet, add some sugar, honey, agave or maple syrup.
- No ice cubes or chilled water is added while blending the juice. Ice Cubes can be added just before serving else it dilutes the fruit juice.
- Adding Black Salt or Kala Namak is optional. You can use kosher salt or regular sea salt. Kala Namak has a great taste and in India, we love sprinkling them on freshly cut fruits as well.
- I recommend consuming all fresh fruit juices, immediately.
However, you can refrigerate the juice and use within 24 - 48 hours. - I freeze fresh watermelon juice to make slushies during summers. Freezing increases shelf life and doesn't affect taste.
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We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
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