Find some relief from the soaring summer heat with delicious watermelon! This watermelon slushie is easy and healthy. Besides being refreshing, it provides a lot of health benefits.
I developed this recipe years ago when dealing with the unrelenting heat of summer while living in Brooklyn. My apartment had one window air conditioning unit, so it was never comfortably cool inside. I wanted instant relief when I came home after baking in the sun reflected concrete. My remedy was a watermelon slushie. Using only a few ingredients and made in only a few minutes, it provided almost immediate relief and tasted so good.
WATERMELON SLUSHIE
This is the perfect quick healthy summer slushie with only 3-4 ingredients! Frozen watermelon is required for this recipe. You do not want to use unfrozen watermelon with ice because it will dilute the mixture thereby altering the taste and texture of the slushie.The key to this quick recipe is to freeze the watermelon ahead of time. This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten free. It is less of a traditional recipe and more of loose guidance. So have some fun and find the right flavor and texture for you!
INGREDIENTS
- Watermelon (mini size should be adequate)
- Coconut Water (all packaged coconut water does not taste the same nor have the same health benefits so so pick your favorite)
- Lime
- Fresh Mint
DIRECTIONS
Prepping the Watermelon
1.First cut off each end side of the watermelon so that an end can lay flat on the cutting board. Then carefully trim off the rest of the watermelon’s rind by starting on the top of the watermelon and slowly carving downward.
2.Cut the watermelon into 1 inch wide slices. Next dice 1 or 2 stacked slice(s) into 1 inch cubes. If your watermelon is extra juicy then save any juice.
3.The best way to freeze the watermelon is to spread it out on a parchment lined cookie sheet and stick in the freezer for a few hours. Once frozen then store the watermelon in a freezer safe container or bag. If you don’t have freezer space for a cookie sheet then skip that step and place your freshly cut watermelon directly into the freezer container (but know that your watermelon will clump together).
Making the Slushie
1.Pour the desired amount of coconut water into a blender (maybe start with around 1 cup).
2.Added the desired amount of watermelon (should be slightly less to around the same amount as the coconut water). Also, add some of the saved watermelon juice for enhanced watermelon flavor.
3.Add the flavor enhancers of lime juice and/or mint . Add a little bit at first, adding any more until you reach your preferred slushie flavor. (Personally, I add either lime or mint because I find both together a bit overpowering. Lime is also my preferred flavor enhancer. Although you may enjoy both mint and lime).
4.Blend all the ingredients and any more as necessary until your desired texture or taste.
5.Drink and enjoy!
HEALTH BENEFITS
Each person’s health is so unique so always consult with a medical profession about what benefits you. Below is general nutritional information.
Watermelon
Watermelon is composed of more than 90% water. It is a fruit with a lot of essential nutrients with plenty of health benefits. The generous doses of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, lycopene, potassium, and fiber aids with:
- Blood pressure,
- Cholesterol
- Healthy Digestion
- Hydration
- Inflammation
- Nerve Functioning
- Skin and eye health (1).
Coconut Water
Coconut water helps with hydration while being low in calories and free of fats and cholesterol. It contains electrolytes (electric charged minerals) such as potassium sodium and magnesium that help you replenish lost nutrients after sweating (2,3).
Sources
- 11 Top Watermelon Health Benefits, https://www.nwhealth.edu/news/11-top-watermelon-health-benefits/ and Why Watermelon Should Be Part of Your Diet, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-watermelon/
- Electrolytes,https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002350.htm#:~:text=Electrolytes%20are%20minerals%20in%20your,acidity%20of%20your%20blood%20(pH)
- Health Benefits of Coconut Water, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-health-benefits-of-coconut-water/
- By Charon K.
