Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

• It’s the ultimate hydrator. Watermelon is over 90% water, so this smoothie is like a tall glass of hydration with a fantastic flavor upgrade. It’s perfect for replenishing fluids after a workout or just staying cool on a sweltering afternoon.
• The flavor is pure, simple summer. There’s no need for complicated syrups or lots of added sugar. The natural sweetness of the ripe fruits does all the talking, creating a bright and cheerful taste that’s both familiar and incredibly satisfying.
• It comes together in about five minutes. Seriously, from fridge to glass in the time it takes your blender to do its magic. It’s the fastest route to a delicious, healthy pick-me-up when you need something quick and nourishing.
• It’s incredibly versatile. Feel like making it creamier? Add a scoop of Greek yogurt. Want a tropical twist? A splash of coconut water works wonders. This recipe is a wonderful base for all your smoothie experiments.

Ingredients & Tools

• 4 cups fresh watermelon, cubed and seeded (about 1/4 of a medium watermelon)
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 5-6 ice cubes (optional, for an extra frosty texture)
• 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, depending on the sweetness of your fruit)
• A pinch of salt (trust me on this one!)

Tools: A high-speed blender, a sharp knife, a cutting board, and a measuring cup.

The beauty of this recipe really lies in the quality of the two main stars. Ripe, in-season strawberries and a sweet, juicy watermelon will make all the difference, minimizing or even eliminating the need for any added sweeteners. That little pinch of salt might seem odd, but it’s a chef’s secret—it makes the fruity flavors pop in the most wonderful way.

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 10 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• How to pick a perfect watermelon? Look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on one side (where it rested on the ground). A hollow sound when you tap it is also a good sign of ripeness.
• Frozen vs. Fresh Fruit? You can absolutely use frozen strawberries instead of fresh. If you do, you can likely skip the ice cubes for a thick, frosty consistency. Using frozen watermelon is also an option, but fresh gives a more vibrant, pure watermelon flavor.
• Why add lime juice? The acidity from the lime isn’t really there to make the smoothie taste sour. It acts as a flavor brightener, cutting through the sweetness and making the strawberry and watermelon notes taste even more pronounced and fresh.
• What if my smoothie is too thick? No worries at all! Simply add a splash of cold water, coconut water, or even almond milk and blend again until it reaches your preferred sipping consistency. A little liquid goes a long way.

How to Make Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A light spinach and feta quiche — The creamy, savory notes of the quiche create a beautiful balance with the sweet and tangy smoothie, making for a lovely, well-rounded brunch.
• Avocado toast on sourdough — The rich, creamy avocado and crunchy toast provide a satisfying textural contrast and keep you full longer, while the smoothie acts as the perfect hydrating beverage.
• A simple garden salad with a lemon vinaigrette — For a super-light lunch, the crisp, acidic salad pairs wonderfully with the fruity sweetness of the smoothie without feeling too heavy.

Drinks

• Sparkling water with a twist — If you’re serving this smoothie as part of a brunch spread, having some bubbly water on the side helps cleanse the palate between sips and bites.
• A crisp glass of Prosecco or Rosé — For a festive brunch or afternoon gathering, the effervescence and dryness of these wines contrast beautifully with the smoothie’s sweet fruitiness.
• Iced green tea — The slightly grassy, earthy notes of green tea are a fantastic companion to the bright fruit flavors, making for a very refreshing and antioxidant-rich combination.

Something Sweet

• Lemon poppy seed muffins — The zesty lemon flavor is a classic partner for both strawberry and watermelon, and the soft muffin texture is just delightful alongside the cold smoothie.
• A small square of dark chocolate — Honestly, a piece of high-quality dark chocolate (70% or higher) eaten after a sip of smoothie creates a surprisingly sophisticated and delicious flavor pairing.
• Almond biscotti — The crunch of the biscotti is perfect for dipping, and its nutty, not-too-sweet flavor won’t compete with the smoothie’s natural sweetness.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using underripe or bland fruit. The flavor of your smoothie is 100% dependent on the quality of your watermelon and strawberries. If they don’t taste great on their own, the smoothie won’t either. I’ve made this mistake before, and it’s a real disappointment.
• Mistake: Skipping the acid (lime juice). It might seem like a small, optional ingredient, but that splash of lime juice is what lifts the entire flavor profile from flat and simply sweet to bright and complex. Don’t leave it out!
• Mistake: Over-blending. While you want a smooth consistency, letting the blender run for several minutes can actually warm up the smoothie due to the friction from the blades. Blend just until smooth and then stop to keep it frosty.
• Mistake: Adding too much liquid at the start. Watermelon releases a lot of water as it blends. It’s best to start with less liquid (like just the yogurt) and only add a splash of water or milk after blending if the consistency is too thick for your liking.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Freeze your watermelon. For an ultra-thick, almost slushy-style smoothie, cube your watermelon and freeze it on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a few hours before blending. This eliminates the need for ice and gives you a super-chilled result.
• Tip: Boost the nutrition seamlessly. Add a handful of fresh spinach—you truly won’t taste it, I promise! It will turn the smoothie a deeper shade of greenish-pink but adds a wonderful nutrient boost. A tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed also blends in perfectly.
• Tip: Make smoothie packs for busy mornings. Portion out the watermelon, strawberries, and even the yogurt into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the frozen contents into the blender, add the lime juice and salt, and blend. It’s a huge time-saver.
• Tip: Strain for a super-smooth texture. If you or your kids are sensitive to the tiny seeds from strawberries, you can pour the blended smoothie through a fine-mesh sieve. It takes an extra minute but results in an incredibly silky texture.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but it’s best enjoyed immediately. If you need to make it a few hours ahead, store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will likely separate a bit, which is totally normal. Just give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before serving. I wouldn’t recommend keeping it for more than 24 hours, as the color and fresh flavor will start to diminish.

Is this smoothie good for weight loss?
This smoothie is made from whole, nutrient-dense fruits and yogurt, making it a healthy choice. It’s hydrating and can be quite filling. However, portion size and what you eat with it matter. To keep it lower in calories, you can omit the optional sweetener and use a low-fat or non-dairy yogurt. It’s a great replacement for sugary drinks, but as with any food, it should be part of a balanced diet.

My smoothie turned out too watery. What happened?
This usually means your watermelon was very, very ripe and contained a higher water content. Don’t worry! You can fix it by adding a thickening agent. Try blending in a frozen banana, a bit more Greek yogurt, or even a quarter of an avocado (which makes it incredibly creamy without adding a strong flavor). Next time, you might use slightly less watermelon or include it frozen.

Can I use a different berry?
Absolutely! Raspberries or blackberries would be delicious substitutes for strawberries. Keep in mind that raspberries have more seeds, which will change the texture, and blackberries will give the smoothie a deeper, purple color. Blueberries work too, but they have a stronger, more dominant flavor that will overshadow the delicate taste of the watermelon.

Why did my smoothie turn brown?
This is oxidation, which is a natural reaction when fruit is exposed to air. The strawberries are the main culprit here. It’s perfectly safe to drink, but to prevent it, consume the smoothie right away. If you’re making it ahead, pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the smoothie in the container can limit its exposure to air and help preserve the bright pink color.