Watermelon 101: Picking, Cutting, Storing & Drink Recipes

Did you know that watermelon is one of the world’s healthiest foods? It owes its claim to fame for its high water content, its high content of lycopene, and its high levels of vitamin A and carotenoids including cancer-fighting lycopene. Best of all, it’s low in calories, high volume, filling, satisfying, and thirst-quenching. Plus it’s absolutely delicious. So don’t think twice about getting high on watermelon.

Stay healthy, hydrated, and satisfied this summer with the perfect fruit that’s packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.

Enjoy some of my favorite watermelon summer drink recipes that are perfect for any time of day.

Watermelon Juice Booster

Ingredients:

• 2 cup watermelon
• 3 mint leaves (optional)
• 1 cup of ice

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy!

Watermelon Juice Medley

Love watermelon and mint together? Then, this is the perfect watermelon juice medley that contains lots of green goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cup watermelon
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 cup kale
• 4 mint leaves
• 1- inch slice of fresh ginger (optional)

Instructions:

Put all ingredients through a juicer and enjoy!

Watermelon Sangria

The weather is warming up and there’s no better drink to enjoy with friends and family than a deliciously refreshing sangria. It’s pretty much the perfect cocktail that can be enjoyed at any event. Just remember, that the best tasting sangria is the ones that sit for at least 4 to 8 hours before drinking. This allows all the flavors to get infused for a better taste.

This recipe is simple to make with a few ingredients. Feel free to use the tips below and make your own substitutions based on your likes.

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon (around 7 cups)
• 1 (750-ml) bottle white wine, chilled (Moscato preferred)
• ½ c. triple sec
• 1 c. vodka
• 1 c. seltzer
• 1/3 c. lime juice (from about 6 limes)
• 2 limes, thinly sliced
• 2 c. assorted fresh or frozen fruit, such as pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries

Instructions:

1. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out watermelon and transfer to a blender.
2. Blend watermelon on high until smooth. 
3. Strain juice through a mesh strainer into a large pitcher.
4. Add wine, triple sec, vodka, seltzer, and lime juice. Stir until combined.
5. Add the limes and fruit.
6. Refrigerate until chilled, about 4-8 hours, then serve.
7. Enjoy!

What can I add to Sangria – Take your pick:

• Berries – Any berries would work well but my favorite would be strawberries, blackberries, or both!
• Grapefruit – This would add a bit of a tart balance to the taste. In this case, I would recommend substituting vodka with tequila.
• Rum – This would replace the vodka. 
• Tequila – I would add a bit of lime juice.
• Bubbles – If you like a bubbly sangria, you can use sparkling wine or seltzer.

How to pick a good watermelon?

There’s nothing more disappointing than cutting into a spoiled or tasteless watermelon. For that reason, we’ve put some tips together to help you pick the perfect one.

A few key indicators to look out for when choosing a watermelon: 

• Choose the heaviest one for its size.
• Knock on it. It should sound hollow, which is a good indication that the fruit has more water which means it’s ripe.
• The exterior should be hard and not soft or squishy.
• Look for a rounder shape as they tend to be sweeter than the oval ones. 
• Look for an underside (aka “soil side”) that is slightly yellowish. It means that the fruit has been spending time in the dirt getting ripe. 
• Purchase when they’re in peak season. Depending on where you live, it’s usually around July through September as it’s a summer fruit.

How to store a whole watermelon?

A whole watermelon can be stored at room temperature. Before cutting, wash the exterior well. 

How to store a cut watermelon?

When storing a cut melon, wrap the cut side in plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge for about 3 days. The larger the pieces, the longer they will keep. The plastic will prevent the watermelon from absorbing other food odors and flavors and keep the flesh moist. 

How long does cut watermelon last?

For bite-sized watermelon pieces, cube, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be eaten within three days of being cut. 

If you have more watermelon than you can eat, remove the rind, cut it into chunks. Place chunks on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Then, move and store the cubes in an airtight container or zip lock freezer bag, for up to six months in the freezer.