Frozen Watermelon and Coconut Water Ice Cubes(or popsicles) are refreshing, naturally hydrating and an easy, fun summer treat for kids.
This is a genuinely easy summer activity (I promise!) that everyone in the house will enjoy, because who doesn't love an icy-cold treat?
It's also a great way to use up leftover watermelon, so it doesn't go to waste.
Ingredients
You only need one ingredient: watermelon!
Anything else you add is extra. Here are some ingredients you can add to the blender with the watermelon:
- Coconut Water
- Frozen berries
- A squeeze of lime
- Lemonade, or another type of juice
- Simple syrup, to sweeten things up
Tools
- Blender
- Silicon ice-cube tray or popsicles molds
Silicon ice-cube trays make it easier to release the ice cubes when they're frozen. Also, kids love making ice cubes in fun shapes! Just Google, "silicone ice cube tray shapes" and you'll find lots of options.
You can also make popsicles instead of ice cubes. Just pour the watermelon juice into popsicle holders.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cut watermelon into squares. Puree the watermelon in a blender for less than 1 minute. Adding coconut water is optional.
Step 2: Pour the watermelon juice into ice cube trays or popsicle molds
Prefer to watch a how-to recipe video? Check out my watermelon popsicle video
How to Make These Ice Cubes with Kids
Here's how I get the biggest bang for my summer-activity buck with flavored ice cubes, making all the kids and adults in the house happy:
- Make the watermelon juice mid-morning, just as the first wave of boredom hits. The ice cubes/popsicles need several hours to freeze, so if you make them at 11am, they'll be ready by 3pm, which is officially "hot and cranky hour" in our house.
- Blend a little bit of extra watermelon, so everyone can have a glass of watermelon juice while waiting for the ice cubes to freeze.
- Use a container with a small spout (like a glass measuring cup) to pour the watermelon juice into the ice cube trays
- Have fun with the anticipation of waiting for the ice cubes to freeze. My kids like to check the ice cubes about 400 hundred times to see if they're ready.
Make Watermelon Juice Instead!
You don't have to freeze the watermelon juice that you puree. You can just drink it straight from the blender!
- If the watermelon is underripe and flavorless, add a little simple syrup or another type of store-bought juice that is sweeter
- If the watermelon is overripe, add a squeeze of lime or some lemonade
- To make the watermelon juice smooth, make sure to puree it really well in the blender. You can also pour it through a fine mesh strainer.
- Any type of alcohol instantly turns watermelon juice into a summer cocktail for adults. Try vodka, gin, rum, tequila or Prosecco. Plus a squeeze of lime!
Watermelon Ice Cubes for Adults
Why should kids have all the fun? Steal a few watermelon and coconut water ice cubes for yourself and drop them into a glass of sparkling water or something a bit stronger. This small and perfectly square ice cube tray is perfect for adult beverages.
More Healthy-ish Treats
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Frozen Watermelon and Coconut Water Ice Cubes (or popsicles)
Frozen Watermelon and Coconut Water Ice Cubes are unbelievably refreshing, naturally hydrating and an easy, fun summer treat for kids. All-natural and no added sugar!
You can also pour the watermelon puree into popsicle molds. Or, just drink the juice straight from the blender!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours to freeze
- Total Time: 3 hours to freeze
- Yield: 2 dozen small ice cubes 1x
- Category: Snacks, Treats & Little Things
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup coconut water (optional)
Instructions
- Blitz watermelon in the blender with coconut water until it turns into a very smooth juice (takes less than a minute)
- Pour into silicone ice cubes trays or popsicle molds and freeze for several hours
Helpful Tips
- If the watermelon has black seeds, you'll need to blend slowly to avoid chopping up the seeds. You can then strain the seeds out by pouring the juice through a mesh sieve or a colander.
- It isn't necessary to strain the juice, unless you need to strain out seeds or want a very smooth texture
- A container with a small spout (like a glass measuring cup) makes it easier to pour the juice into ice cube trays
- Coconut water is optional, but adds natural electrolytes. You don't taste it when frozen.
Notes
Silicone Ice Cube Trays: It's surprisingly fun to make ice cubes in all different shapes. Small shapes are really fun and easy for kids to eat. My kids love this sea shell tray. However, shapes that are really small (gummy bear shaped) or have lots of sides (like stars) are harder to get out of the trays.
You can add more flavor by adding frozen berries, a squeeze of lime, lemonade or another type of juice, or simple syrup to the blender.
Keywords: watermelon juice, coconut water, watermelon ice cube, watermelon and coconut water ice cubes, watermelon popsicles
Jen
Refreshing, healthy and easy. I make these with my kids all summer long.
★★★★★