Watermelon goes on sale every summer, and this Homemade Watermelon Lemonade is our favorite way to use it up. With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time, it’s an easy, budget-friendly drink the whole family loves — no juicing lemons required!
This version skips squeezing lemons — we blend juicy watermelon right into your favorite lemonade (store-bought or our homemade lemonade recipe both work) so you get all the fresh watermelon flavor in a fraction of the time.
We’ve been making this one every summer since before my kids started school — they’re all in their 20s now, and it’s still the drink they ask for the second watermelon goes on sale.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time — no juicing lemons required.
- Budget-friendly – A full pitcher costs less than $1.50 to make.
- Kid-approved – My kids have been asking for this one since before they started school — they’re in their 20s now, and it’s still a summer staple.
- No fancy equipment – Just a blender and a strainer.
Two Ways to Make It
- Quick Method (this recipe): Blend watermelon with store-bought or homemade lemonade for a 5-minute pitcher — no juicing required.
- From-Scratch Method: Swap the lemonade for 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 cups cold water and 2-3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste) if you want full control over sweetness and tartness. It takes a little longer, but it’s worth it if you have fresh lemons on hand.
Ingredients
- chopped watermelon
- sugar
- 4 cups lemonade (store-bought refrigerated lemonade or your favorite homemade lemonade)
How to Make Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
Pick a good watermelon. Look for one that feels heavy for its size with a creamy yellow (not white) spot on the bottom — that’s where it sat ripening in the field. A sweet, ripe watermelon makes all the difference here.
First, combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend. We have a Waring Blender and a Vitamix. Both are great options and I love both of mine. Now the Waring Blenders are going to be less expensive, but they are a much better option than the regular blender to make pureed watermelon.
Use seedless watermelon if you can find it — you’ll still want to strain out the pulp for a smooth, sippable lemonade, but you’ll skip picking out seeds. Press the blended watermelon through a fine mesh strainer with a spatula to push all the juice through.
Next, pour over ice and you have an amazing and refreshing drink.
This Homemade Watermelon Lemonade can be made in a matter of minutes and your guests will be shocked with how delicious it is! Give it a try and watch it become your favorite summer drink!
Here’s the breakdown: my watermelon cost $3.99 at Aldi, and I used about ¼ of it (under $1 worth). The sugar cost pennies, and the lemonade was $0.50 on sale. Total cost: under $1.50 for the whole pitcher — about $0.38 per serving.
Storage
Store leftover watermelon lemonade in a pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The watermelon will settle at the bottom as it sits, so give it a good stir before serving. I don’t recommend freezing the lemonade itself, but leftovers make a great frozen treat (see the tip below)!
Leftover tip: Pour extra watermelon lemonade into popsicle molds and freeze for an easy, no-added-sugar treat like our Homemade Watermelon Popsicles.
Hosting a crowd?
Blend and strain the watermelon a day ahead and store it in the fridge, then stir in the lemonade right before guests arrive so it tastes fresh. For 12 people, double the recipe and split it between two pitchers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Swap the 4 cups of lemonade for 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 cups cold water, and sugar to taste.
Fresh watermelon gives the best flavor and texture, but frozen watermelon chunks work in a pinch — just thaw slightly before blending so your blender doesn’t struggle.
That’s totally normal! The watermelon pulp is heavier than the lemonade and will settle to the bottom. Just give it a stir before pouring.
Make it up to a day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Stir well before serving.
Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups Watermelon chopped
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 4 cups Lemonade
- Lemon sliced Optional
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together in a blender.
- Blend until all the ingredients are combined and smoothed.
- Then strain the mixture to ensure that all the seeds are removed.
- Pour over ice, Serve with the sliced lemons and enjoy!
