Summer Watermelon Mint Smoothie

A summer sensation! An ice cold smoothie with watermelon, mint and fresh squeezed lime. So refreshing you’ll think it’s summer!

Many many many MANY years ago, when brady and I first visited New York city, I was on the hunt for a healthy smoothie place. Back then, smart phones were not so popular, therefore one would have to do their research PRIOR to leaving the hotel. They would have to find the business center in the hotel, and then pay for a few pages to print out Map Quest to the desired destination. Then, carry that piece of paper with you as you touristed. ha! what a life we tourists led.

So, i did just that. I researched the night before and found a place called Peacefood Cafe . A cute place that looked like it had great, healthy smoothies.

However, instead of a smoothie, I ordered a Watermelon Mint Lime drink. And little did I know, I would NEVER forget it!! Peacefood!!! I have loved the Watermelon drink ever since. And in fact, I haven’t even been back to get the original because the one I have made is better than anyone I remember! They just gave me the inspiration:)

Throughout the years, I have tweaked and dumped and cut many a watermelon to make THE perfect Watermelon Mint Lime smoothie.

the ingredients

• frozen watermelon
• frozen fruit (I use strawberries or mangos or pinneappe)
• unsweetened almond milk
• banana
• cucumber
• mint
• lime

When I cut a watermelon, depending on my current household count, I usually freeze HALF of it. Yes, I cut it ALL, put aside either a freezer ziploc or a glass container and place half of the cut watermelon in. If there are unsightly pieces, they also get tossed into the freezer bag/container. Usually there are only 4 of us and I don’t want the half of the huge watermelon to slosh around in fridge or on the counter. So it’s easier to just cut it all at once and freeze what I don’t need! Here is a video of how its best cut:)

Anyway, so i cut it and put about 3 cups in a quart size freezer bag. Then, when I am ready to make my smoothie, my portions are already there!

All I will need to do, is take out the one quart size bag about 10 min before putting it in the blender. Because watermelon is full of so much water it gets REALLY frozen and has to thaw just a little before it will blend easily.

As for the other ingredients, the “other” frozen fruit is just for a little sweetener. Watermelon is not super sweet on it’s own and when blended in a smoothie can be a little bland flavorwise.

By adding other fruit, the taste and flavor of the watermelon is enhanced. My favorites are strawberries or mangos or pineapple. I never choose a fruit that is dark in color because I love the pink of the watermelon. Also, by choosing blueberries or another dark fruit, I feel as if the flavor would take on that particular fruit and you wouldn’t enjoy the watermelon flavor.

I also add cucumber for a subtle, intriguing flavor and also just to stick in the nutrients from the cucumber! However, it is not necessary.

1/2 a banana is to make this smoothie just a little more creamy. The banana is also one of the only unfrozen items. In my opinion, when you add a banana to a smoothie, it helps it blend easier.

[My mom prefers NO banana so I also make it without and it is more icey. By only adding a 1/2, I don’t think the banana flavor is too strong.]

Mint and lime. The added ingredients that take this smoothie over the top!

Unsweetened almond milk. This is another optional ingredient. Because the watermelon packs so much water in it, if it is thawed enough, you do not even necessarily need the liquid. The watermelon blends up well with it’s own! However, once again, sometimes I like it a little more creamy so I add the unsweetened almond milk.

FIRST STEP:

Remove frozen watermelon and set on the counter for approx 10 min. Once 3 cups is thawed slightly, add to blender. DO NOT LET THAW COMPLETELY or it will be a drink and not a smoothie.

Add 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk,

THEN

Add 1/2 banana + 1/2 cup frozen strawberries + cucumber [if using]

FINALLY

Squeeze in juice of 1 juicy lime and 4 mint leaves

BLEND with your blendtec!

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He insisted on trying it with the construction vest he has been sporting for the past 8 days…but then again he was very happy to disregard it with he spilled some smoothie on it. Just so he could keep drinking.