If you’re looking for a refreshing, light and very easy-to-make drink for hot days, a watermelon and cucumber smoothie is a combination well worth trying. The watermelon adds its sweet, juicy flavour, whilst the cucumber brings a refreshingly crisp, vegetable-like note that perfectly balances the recipe.
What’s more, both ingredients have a high water content, making the result particularly refreshing. It’s perfect for a mid-morning snack, an afternoon treat or simply whenever you fancy a homemade alternative to fizzy drinks and other sugary drinks.
The best thing is that making a watermelon and cucumber smoothie takes just a few minutes. You don’t need any complicated ingredients, and you can easily personalise it by adding lemon, lime, mint or even a little ginger.
Ingredients for a watermelon and cucumber smoothie
To make approximately two glasses of watermelon and cucumber smoothie, you will need:
- 400 g of chilled, seedless watermelon
- 1/2 cucumber
- Juice of half a lemon or lime
- 4 or 5 ice cubes
- A few mint or spearmint leaves, optional
- A small piece of fresh ginger (optional)
- Cold water, only if you want a more liquid consistency
Watermelon will be the star of this recipe, so try to choose a ripe, sweet and juicy one. If you chill it in the fridge beforehand, the smoothie will be much more refreshing without needing to use too much ice.
As for the cucumber, you can use it with or without the skin. If it has a thin skin and you’ve washed it properly, you can leave the skin on. If you prefer a milder flavour and a more uniform texture, peel it before putting it in the blender.
There’s no need to add sugar. A ripe watermelon is naturally sweet enough. Before adding any sweetener, give the smoothie a taste: you’ll probably find it doesn’t need anything else.
How to make a watermelon and cucumber smoothie
Making a watermelon and cucumber smoothie is very simple. Start by cutting the watermelon into medium-sized pieces and removing the rind. If you come across any seeds, remove them before blending.
Next, wash the cucumber and cut it into several slices. The pieces don’t need to be too small, as we’ll be blending it all together later.
Place the watermelon and cucumber in the blender jug. Add the juice of half a lemon or lime and the ice cubes. Blend for a few seconds until the drink is smooth and free of large chunks.
Watermelon contains a lot of water in itself, so don’t add any extra liquid to begin with. If, after blending, you’d prefer a thinner consistency, add a small splash of cold water and blend again.
For an even fresher flavour, you can add a few mint or spearmint leaves. Another option is to add a very small piece of fresh ginger if you like slightly stronger flavours.
Once blended, you can drink it straight away or strain it through a sieve if you prefer a smoother drink. However, leaving the pulp in gives it a texture more like a proper milkshake and makes better use of the fruit.
A simple trick is to freeze a few cubes of watermelon beforehand. You can use them instead of some of the ice to achieve a cooler, creamier texture without diluting the flavour.
You can also make a slush-style version by increasing the amount of ice and blending until it reaches a thicker consistency. For a different presentation, serve it in a tall glass with a thin slice of cucumber, a small triangle of watermelon and a few mint leaves.
The watermelon and cucumber smoothie tastes particularly delicious when freshly made and served well chilled. If you make it in advance, store it in a sealed container in the fridge and give it a stir before serving, as the ingredients may separate slightly whilst it’s left to stand.