Previous
Melon Smoothie
Smoothies. They’re not just for breakfast anymore. And they’re not just one thing. You can make them hearty and nutritious for a satisfying breakfast, or you can make them light and refreshing for a cooling drink that’s denser than water but lighter than a shake. When the really hot days roll around, I start checking my garden to see if my melons are ripe to make a Melon Smoothie.
I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing how to pick a ripe melon, even though I grow several different varieties and they all have their own indicators. Variety is a really a good thing in this case, because I’m looking for a blend of melon flavors that will provide just the right touch of coolness at the end of a hot day.
I try to be prepared for whenever I feel a Melon Smoothie craving coming on; I have several bags of cubed melon already stashed in the freezer. It’s pretty much impossible to eat all the melons in our garden as they ripen, so some of them go on standby in the freezer, ready to become smoothies. One of my best recent investments? A stand-up freezer. I will never run out of fresh-frozen fruits and vegetables.
When you make your smoothie, let your flavor sense be your guide. If you like things more on the sweet side, add a little more honey. If you’re in the mood for cool with an extra serving of veggies on the side, no one says you can’t add some kale or spinach. Got a banana that’s past perfect but not quite ready to become bread? Toss it in! The world is your smoothie.
Print
Simply Soothing Melon Smoothie
Keep some frozen melon cubes on hand, and you can whip up this smoothie any time you like! Using frozen melon gives you the “ice” you need to make the smoothie and avoids watering it down. Mix and match your ingredients to find your perfect flavor balance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Beverages
Ingredients
-
- 2 1/2 cups cubed watermelon, seeds removed
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 cups cubed cantaloupe, frozen
- 1 1/2 cups cubed honeydew, frozen
- Add-ons & Substitutions:
- Adjust melon proportions to your taste. Just note that the meatier the melon, the thicker the smoothie.
- Try using Greek yogurt, soy milk, or almond milk instead of orange juice.
- Add walnuts or pecans for a flavor and protein boost.
- Add a scoop of protein powder for a more filling breakfast drink.
- Add half a banana.
Instructions
- Put watermelon, orange juice, and honey into a blender. Blend to combine.
- Use the center hole of the blender lid and add frozen melon cubes a few at a time. Pulse to break them up.
- Continue to add frozen melon cubes and blend until the whole mixture is smooth.
- Garnish with fresh mint.
Notes
- If you have extra melon, cube it and freeze it in a single layer, then bag it up with waxed paper between the layers. Then you’ll always have smoothie ingredients ready to go!
What Each Ingredient in this Melon Smoothie Brings
- Watermelon is our hydration hero! It’s basically nature’s sports drink, packed with electrolytes and natural sugars that help keep you feeling fresh. Plus, it adds this gorgeous pink hue that makes everything feel more festive. Substitutions: Feeling experimental? Try swapping in dragonfruit for a similar water content with an exotic twist.
- Cantaloupe brings that classic sweet melon flavor and a creamy texture when frozen. Fun fact: it’s actually packed with potassium and vitamin A, so you’re basically drinking a multivitamin (that’s how that works, right?). Substitutions: Muskmelon works beautifully here, or try papaya for a tropical twist.
- Honeydew is our secret texture master. When frozen, it adds this amazing thickness without weighing things down. Plus, its subtle sweetness helps balance the other flavors. Substitutions: Persian melon or Casaba melon work great, or try cucumber for an even lighter, spa-water vibe.
- Orange Juice acts as our flavor conductor, bringing all the melon notes together while adding a bit of bright acidity. Substitutions: Coconut water makes this even more hydrating, or try pineapple juice for a tropical twist. For a creamier version, almond milk or Greek yogurt can step in.
- Honey is our sweetness fine-tuner. Sometimes you need it, sometimes you don’t – it all depends on how ripe your melons are feeling that day. Substitutions: Agave nectar, maple syrup, or even a pitted date will work. If your melons are perfect, you might not need any sweetener at all.
Pro Tips:
- Cut and freeze melon cubes when they’re perfectly ripe. Nothing’s sadder than watching a beautiful melon go bad because you couldn’t eat it fast enough!
- The more frozen fruit you use, the thicker your smoothie will be. Start with less and add more until you hit your perfect consistency.
- While most modern watermelons are seedless, if you’re using one with seeds, take the extra minute to remove them. Trust me, no one wants to play smoothie roulette.
Power-Up Options:
- Add a handful of spinach or kale (it’ll change the color but you’ll barely taste it)
- Toss in some chia seeds for omega-3s and fiber
- A scoop of vanilla protein powder turns this into a post-workout treat
- Fresh mint or basil adds an unexpected but delightful twist
- Coconut water ice cubes make it extra hydrating
And here’s a little secret: this smoothie makes an amazing base for a mocktail. Pour it into a fancy glass, add a splash of sparkling water, and garnish with a mint sprig – suddenly you’re the most sophisticated person at the pool party!
Remember, smoothie making is more art than science. If your first blend isn’t quite right, just keep adjusting until it sings to you. And don’t stress if you don’t have all three melons – two will do in a pinch, or even one really good watermelon can carry the whole show.
If you make this smoothie recipe, let me know what you think! And remember, if anyone questions why you’re drinking a smoothie at 4 PM, just tell them you’re “staying hydrated.” That always works!
Have you tried this Melon Smoothie recipe? You can customize it to suit your taste—please tell us how it turned out for you.
