How do I choose the best watermelon?

First, ensure the skin is smooth and unblemished. The watermelon should have a deep green color with pale stripes. It should feel heavy for its size and produce a deep, hollow sound when gently tapped with your fingertips. If you have time, let the watermelon sit at room temperature for up to 5 days before refrigerating it to achieve a redder flesh.

How long do I need to muddle the mint?

To properly muddle the mint, gently press down and twist the leaves for at least 10 seconds. Be careful not to bruise or tear the leaves, as this can release a bitter flavor. Your goal is to help release the essential oils. Once you detect a fragrant minty aroma, you can stop.

What foods go well with Watermelon Mint Mocktails?

We would serve this mocktail with appetizers like our Crispy Hot Honey-Sesame Feta Bites , Cucumber Salmon Bites , Loaded Baked Avocados or Mascarpone & Berries Toast . You could also serve it with summer salads, chilled tuna fish sandwiches like our Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish or anything fresh off the grill from hamburger sliders to Grilled Shrimp Tostadas .

How should I store leftovers?

The mocktail tastes best when made fresh, but if you don't finish it, refrigerate the rest. When you're ready to serve it, stir it well and serve it over fresh ice cubes.

Watermelon Mint Mocktail

Name: Watermelon Mint Mocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish; Ice; 3/4 cup watermelon juice (see Tip); 0.5 cup club soda; Small slice watermelon for garnish

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

1

Yield:

1 mocktail

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Carb Nut-Free Dairy-Free Soy-Free Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free

This thirst-quenching Watermelon Mint Mocktail is perfect for hot summer days when you want a refreshing beverage without the booze. Hydrating antioxidant-rich watermelon juice is infused with fresh mint and gets an effervescent sparkle from mineral-rich club soda. Serve with ice and sit back and chill. Keep reading for our expert tips, including any ingredient swaps you can make.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

To make watermelon juice, blend 1 1/2 cups of cubed seedless watermelon until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, using a spoon to press down and release more juice. Discard solids. Cover juice and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
We suggest a piece of watermelon as a garnish, but you can also use a slice of lime and a little salt around the rim of your glass.
If you want to change things up, consider replacing lemon juice with lime juice and mint with fresh basil. You can also substitute kombucha for club soda. For added flair, muddle in some in-season berries such as blackberries, strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.

Nutrition Notes

Watermelon is super hydrating—not surprising since the colorful fruit is 92% water. It's loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that support immune and heart health. The amino acid citrulline in watermelon has been shown to help reduce muscle soreness, so it could be a good fruit to add to your post-workout meal—or sip on this mocktail after getting your sweat on (see below about the electrolytes in this mocktail).
Mint is a good source of antioxidants and vitamins A and C. Mint also contains menthol which has been shown to help alleviate digestive issues and headaches.
Club soda is similar to sparkling water and mineral water except that the carbonation and minerals in club soda are added, not natural. If you don't have club soda, you can swap it out for one of the other two. All these fizzy waters contain minerals that also act as electrolytes. Of note, while seltzer water will give you the bubbles, it contains no minerals.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

2 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Ice
3/4 cup watermelon juice (see Tip)
½ cup club soda
Small slice watermelon for garnish

Directions

Mash 2 mint leaves in the bottom of a large cocktail glass or pint glass with a muddler or small wooden spoon. Fill the glass one-third full of ice; add 3/4 cup watermelon juice. Top with 1/2 cup club soda and garnish with a watermelon slice and more mint leaves, if desired.

Equipment

Muddler or small wooden spoon

To make ahead

Make the watermelon-mint juice and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days until ready to assemble the mocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best watermelon?

First, ensure the skin is smooth and unblemished. The watermelon should have a deep green color with pale stripes. It should feel heavy for its size and produce a deep, hollow sound when gently tapped with your fingertips. If you have time, let the watermelon sit at room temperature for up to 5 days before refrigerating it to achieve a redder flesh.
How long do I need to muddle the mint?

To properly muddle the mint, gently press down and twist the leaves for at least 10 seconds. Be careful not to bruise or tear the leaves, as this can release a bitter flavor. Your goal is to help release the essential oils. Once you detect a fragrant minty aroma, you can stop.
What foods go well with Watermelon Mint Mocktails?

We would serve this mocktail with appetizers like our Crispy Hot Honey-Sesame Feta Bites, Cucumber Salmon Bites, Loaded Baked Avocados or Mascarpone & Berries Toast. You could also serve it with summer salads, chilled tuna fish sandwiches like our Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish or anything fresh off the grill from hamburger sliders to Grilled Shrimp Tostadas.
How should I store leftovers?

The mocktail tastes best when made fresh, but if you don't finish it, refrigerate the rest. When you're ready to serve it, stir it well and serve it over fresh ice cubes.

EatingWell.com, July 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

34	Calories
0g	Fat
9g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 1 mocktail
Calories 34
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 9g	3%
Dietary Fiber 1g	2%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 1g	1%
Total Fat 0g	0%
Vitamin A 653IU	13%
Vitamin C 9mg	10%
Folate 4mcg	1%
Sodium 26mg	1%
Calcium 14mg	1%
Iron 0mg	2%
Magnesium 13mg	3%
Potassium 131mg	3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by

Carrie Myers, M.S.