✔ Updated · 2 ingredients, step photos and freezing tips
Watermelon popsicles are my favorite hot-day treat because they're just ripe watermelon and a squeeze of lime, blended and frozen. They take about 10 minutes of hands-on time, and the hardest part is waiting for them to freeze.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Taste the puree before you pour it. Freezing dulls sweetness, so if the melon tastes only just sweet now, the pops will taste bland; a spoonful of honey fixes it.
Why You'll Love These Watermelon Popsicles
- Two ingredients, with no added sugar when the melon is ripe.
- Ten minutes of work, then the freezer does everything else.
- Light and refreshing, at about 30 calories a pop, and dairy-free.
What You Need
- Watermelon: ripe and seedless, the sweeter the better.
- Lime juice: fresh, for brightness. Lemon works too.
- A pinch of salt: it makes the melon taste sweeter.
- Honey: optional, only if your melon is bland.
- Popsicle molds and sticks: any 3-ounce molds; small paper cups work in a pinch.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Pick a heavy melon. Look for one that feels heavy for its size, with a creamy-yellow field spot and a deep, hollow sound when you tap it. Watermelons don't get sweeter after picking.
- Seedless saves time. Seeded melon works too, but pick the black seeds out first so they don't end up as gritty flecks.
- Cool water, not hot. A quick rinse under cool tap water loosens the pops. Very hot water can crack plastic molds.
- Make them creamy: blend in 1/2 cup coconut milk for a softer, creamier pop that's still dairy-free.
- Add a little herb: a few fresh mint leaves blended in make them taste extra cold.
- No blender? Mash the melon well with a potato masher and push it through a sieve, or freeze watermelon wedges on sticks on a lined tray.
Watermelon Lime Popsicles
10
popsicles (3 oz)10
minutes30
kcal5
hours5
hours10
minutesTwo-ingredient watermelon popsicles: ripe seedless watermelon blended smooth with fresh lime juice, poured into molds and frozen until solid. Naturally sweet, dairy-free and about 30 calories each.
Ingredients
6 cups seedless watermelon, cubed (about 1/4 of a large melon)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 1/2 limes)
1 to 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, only if the melon isn’t sweet (optional)
1 pinch fine salt
Directions
- Cut the watermelon into chunks, removing the rind and any black seeds.
- Blend the watermelon, lime juice and salt on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until completely smooth. Taste, and blend in honey only if the melon is bland.
- Pour the puree into popsicle molds, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top for expansion. Add the lids and sticks.
- Freeze for at least 5 hours, or overnight, until solid. If your mold has no stick holder, freeze for 1 hour, then push the sticks in.
- To unmold, run the outside of the mold under cool water for 10 to 15 seconds, then pull gently on the sticks.
Notes
- If you don’t have lime juice, you can use lemon juice instead. Or leave it out completely, you can taste the difference, but it isn’t that much difference. The lime serves to add a slightly contrasting acidic sweetness.
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Grown-Up Watermelon Popsicles (21+)
This version contains alcohol and is for adults of legal drinking age only. Swap up to 1/4 cup of the puree for vodka, silver tequila or white rum; any more and they won't freeze solid. I freeze these in a separate mold and label them clearly so they never get mixed up with the kids' batch.
Want the mocktail version? It's the main recipe: plain watermelon and lime is already a frozen agua fresca on a stick. For a fizzy twist, top the molds with a splash of sparkling water before freezing.
More Frozen Treats
For chocolate lovers, try my homemade fudgesicles. If watermelon is your thing, a watermelon margarita (21+) or a frosty peanut butter banana smoothie are great on a hot afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add sugar to watermelon popsicles?
Usually not. A ripe watermelon is sweet enough on its own. Freezing dulls sweetness slightly, so taste the puree first; if it's bland, blend in 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or sugar.
How long do watermelon popsicles take to freeze?
Allow at least 5 hours in a standard home freezer, or freeze them overnight to be safe. Smaller molds can set in 3 to 4 hours, but they're easier to unmold once fully solid.
Why are my watermelon popsicles icy?
Watermelon is mostly water, so these pops are lighter and icier than creamy ones. For a softer bite, blend in a little honey or 1/2 cup coconut milk, both of which lower the freezing point.
How long do watermelon popsicles keep?
Once frozen, unmold them and store them in a zip-top freezer bag. They keep their best flavor for up to 3 months and stop picking up freezer smells.
Can I make boozy watermelon popsicles?
Yes, for adults of legal drinking age only. Replace up to 1/4 cup of the puree with vodka, tequila or white rum; more alcohol stops them freezing. Freeze them in a separate, clearly labeled mold. The plain version is the mocktail on a stick.
