Turkey Free Classic Watermelon Lemonade
Summer in a glass doesn't get much better than this — sweet, juicy watermelon blended with bright, tangy fresh lemon juice for a drink that's genuinely refreshing on a hot day. The good news for anyone avoiding animal-based ingredients is that this recipe is naturally free of any meat or poultry, built entirely from fruit, sugar, and water. A quick homemade simple syrup keeps the sweetness balanced and smooth, so nothing tastes artificially sweet or cloying. Blending the watermelon and straining it through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a silky, pulp-free juice that mixes beautifully with the lemon and cold water. You can dial the sweetness up or down depending on how ripe your watermelon is — just taste and adjust before pouring. Served over ice with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon slice, it looks like something you'd pay too much for at a fancy brunch spot, but it comes together in minutes at home.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the simple syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
For the lemonade
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about ½ small watermelon)
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5–6 lemons)
- 1 ½ cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool for 10 minutes.
- 2
Add the watermelon cubes to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 30–45 seconds.
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