Watermelon rum lemonade slushies

Need an intensely refreshing drink that takes just minutes to go from kitchen to sipping? Get out of the sun, get into your kitchen, and try one of these watermelon rum lemonade slushies inspired by Celebrating Sweets!

You can’t have a festive summer gathering without delighting your hot and thirsty guests with a fun, fruity, ice-cold drink. Slushies are the ultimate beat-the-heat summer refreshment, and all you need to make them is a few good ingredients and your blender.

Though our watermelon rum lemonade slushie recipe takes little time to prepare, you do need to plan ahead. Frozen chunks of watermelon are the primary ingredient for this drink, which means you’ll have to get your melon in the freezer in advance (instructions below).

ALSO TRY THIS ONE: Cranberry margarita

When it’s time to refresh your guests, place frozen watermelon chunks, lemonade and rum in a blender and blend on high speed until well combined. Add crushed ice and continue blending until you get that slushie consistency. Immediately pour the mixture into glasses.

Don’t just stick a straw in your slushie: Turn this quick summer treat into a resort-worthy drink. Add two fresh mint sprigs to the top of each slushie, then slip a lemon wheel on the side of each glass and serve.

Making slushies for your whole family? For a non-alcoholic, kid-friendly version, just leave out the rum.

How to freeze watermelon

Start with the freshest, sweetest watermelon you can find (buy seedless to save time). Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller to remove watermelon flesh, or use a sharp knife to cut watermelon into chunks. Discard the rind or save it for another use. Place watermelon balls or chunks on parchment-lined baking trays and freeze until solid. Use them immediately, or transfer them to freezer bags or freezer-safe containers and seal.

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Add frozen watermelon to a blender

Adding frozen watermelon to blender


Pour lemonade over watermelon cubes

Pour lemonade over watermelon


Add rum to blender

Pour rum into blender


Add ice-cubes into already blended mixture

Add ice to blender


Pour slushy into a cocktail glass

Pour slushy into cocktail glass


Garnish the glass with fresh mint and a lemon slice

Garnish the slushy with mint and lemon


Before you go, watch our watermelon taste test:

Watermelon rum lemonade slushies

Yield 2–4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen seeded (or seedless) watermelon, cubed
  • 2 cups lemonade, plus more if needed
  • 4 ounces rum (optional)
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 4–8 fresh mint sprigs
  • 4 lemon wheels, 1/4-inch thick

Instructions

  1. Put frozen watermelon, lemonade and rum (if using) in blender.  
  2. Blend on high until well combined.
  3. Add ice and continue blending until ice is crushed and mixture has slushie consistency.  
  4. Pour slushie mixture into 2 to 4 tall glasses.
  5. Garnish each glass with 2 sprigs of mint and lemon wheel.
  6. Serve immediately.

Courses Drinks

Watermelon rum lemonade slushy