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We love watermelon and basil together for a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. Previously, we made our Watermelon Basil Cooler, but we wanted to go even more refreshing with a frozen drink! We cut up watermelon into cubes, and then popped them into the freezer on a sheet pan. Once frozen, the cubes are blended up with basil simple syrup, water, and lime juice for a slush that will keep you cool on the hottest of summer days.
Simple syrups are oh so simple to make with just equal parts of sugar and water. Here, we’re using 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water, but if you want to make more simple syrup, bump it up to 1 cup each. We’re flavoring ours with a handful of fresh basil, but you could also do mint. Our post on How to Set Up a Drink Station has even more ideas with simple syrups like iced coffee bars, iced tea bars, and mimosa bars.
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Watermelon Basil Slush
Fresh frozen watermelon, basil simple syrup, and a squeeze of lime blended into the most refreshing summer drink. Sweet, herby, and so easy to make.
ingredients
1 cup watermelon, cubed and frozen
2 oz basil simple syrup
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 lime, squeezed
basil leaf and watermelon cube, for garnish
method
Step 1
To make the basil simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add in a handful of fresh basil leaves. Stir and allow to cool. Once cooled, strain the basil leaves from the simple syrup. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.
Step 2
Add 1 cup of frozen watermelon to a blender. Add in 2 oz of simple syrup, 1/2 cup cold water, and the juice of 1/2 a lime. Blend until smooth.
Step 3
Pour the slush into a glass and garnish with a watermelon cube and basil leaf.
notes
We recommend serving the drink immediately, but the ingredients can be prepped ahead of time. Blend together just before serving.
The simple syrup can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for a few weeks. We love to add simple syrups to mocktails, iced coffee, and iced tea.
Watermelon Basil Slush
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon cubed and frozen
- 2 oz basil simple syrup
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 lime squeezed
- basil leaf and watermelon cube for garnish
Instructions
- To make the basil simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and add in a handful of fresh basil leaves. Stir and allow to cool. Once cooled, strain the basil leaves from the simple syrup. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Add 1 cup of frozen watermelon to a blender. Add in 2 oz of simple syrup, 1/2 cup cold water, and the juice of 1/2 a lime. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the slush into a glass and garnish with a watermelon cube and basil leaf.
