The Best Sparkling Watermelon Limeade Recipe (So Easy!)

This simple 4 step Sparkling Watermelon Limeade Recipe is a refreshing summer drink idea! This tasty limeade recipe features watermelon juice, sparkling water, lime juice, and simple syrup. Don’t forget to check out the adaptations for a fun Watermelon Cocktail!

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This recipe for Sparkling Watermelon Limeade is a guest post from Lauren of Lauren’s Latest. The post has been edited to include additional information, instructions, and ideas, but the recipe remains the same.

Creating this Sparkling Watermelon Limeade Recipe

Well, hello! I’m Lauren from Lauren’s Latest and am thrilled to be posting for Katie today!

That poor girl is up to her eyeballs in boxes and packing tape, so I’m here to share a great recipe with you that is perfect for those hot summer days that is super simple to whip up!

Friends, meet my Sparkling Watermelon Limeade: Sweet watermelon gets a bright kick from some lime juice and sparkling water for a crisp balance of sweet and a little tart.

My little family of three loved this fresh limeade recipe and guzzled it down fast, although I’m pretty sure my 3 year old daughter was just drinking it ’cause it was pink.

What I Love About This Flavorful Drink

3 reasons I think this is the best limeade recipe:

• It is made with natural ingredients, rather than limeade concentrate. I love the way fresh, simple ingredients come together to make something more complex together.
• It is the perfect summer drink for summer months – this watermelon limeade tastes sweet and tart in just the right proportions to satisfy your tastebuds.
• This easy homemade limeade recipe makes a great special occasion beverage during for spring and summer celebrations: Mother’s Day brunches, bridal showers, baby showers, or even backyard barbecues and porch sitting.

Related: check out these tips for how to squeeze the most juice from your limes when you’re making this watermelon limeade!

Ingredients You Need to Make this Limeade Recipe

To make this recipe for watermelon limeade, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Watermelon Juice
• Fresh Limes
• Sparkling Water or Club Soda
• Simple Syrup (Sugar Water)
• Fresh Watermelon Pieces, garnish
• Fresh Lime Slices, garnish

To Prepare the Simple Syrup, you only need 2 ingredients:

• Sugar, Agave, or Monkfruit Sweetener Powder
• Water

TIP: You can also purchase already prepared simple syrup

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Watermelon Juice

1. Combine the watermelon with 1/2 cup of water in a blender. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your blender.
2. Puree the mixture until no lumps remain.
3. Place an extra fine mesh sieve over a large glass measuring cup with at least a 4 cup capacity.
4. Pour the blended juice over the sieve and strain into the measuring cup to remove and excess fibers.
5. Discard the remains in the sieve and keep the juice for the recipe.

How to Make Fresh Watermelon Limeade

This Watermelon Limeade is really very simple to make and consists of the following simple steps:

1. Blend and strain some watermelon
2. Squeeze out some lime juice
3. Prepare a simple syrup, let cool completely.
4. Combine the watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup
5. Stir in some sparkling water. Chill until cold.
6. Pour limeade over ice to serve.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Recipe Substitutions for this Easy Limeade Recipe

Typically I don’t recommend making a bunch of substitutions when preparing a new recipe. When making substitutes, you won’t know if you don’t like the recipe or if the recipe didn’t turn out due to a preparation mistake, an ill effect from the substitute, or something else.

However, if you do choose to make substitutions in a recipe, I recommend only making one substitute at a time so you don’t have a building effect of multiple poor substitutions.

Can I Substitute Lemons for Limes a Limeade Recipe?

Sure! If you want to use lemons instead of limes, that would be fine in this recipe! It will give you a different flavor as it will be a lemonade instead of a limeade, but if you like that the go ahead and give it a try.

What Can I Substitute for Watermelon?

In this recipe, I think you could easily substitute strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, or cherry juice for the watermelon juice if you don’t like watermelon, are allergic, or don’t have any.

When substituting a different juice just make sure to look for cold pressed rather than a juice with a lot of extra additives and sugar.

Or, you can prepare your own fruit juice using the same method as making the watermelon juice in this recipe.

Want a Stronger Lime Flavor?

For a stronger lime flavor, add fresh lime zest to the water and sugar when preparing the simple syrup. There is no need to strain it out, unless you want to.

Sparkling vs. Still Limeade

This recipe calls for sparkling water. But, if you don’t want it to be sparkling, then you can substitute ice water in place of the sparkling water. This is a good idea if you want to prepare a large pitcher in advance as sparkling water can go flat over time.

Tips for the Best Watermelon Limeade

Is this your first time preparing homemade watermelon limeade? Here are my best tips to get the delicious results when preparing this summery drink.

• Adjust the amount of sugar in the simple syrup according to your preferences. Is 1 cup of sugar per cup of water too sweet for you? Try decreasing the amount of sugar in the simple syrup.
• Make sure the sugar dissolves completely when preparing the simple syrup.
• Use fresh ingredients for best results. You’ll get so much more flavor using fresh fresh lime juice that using bottled lime juice.
• Don’t add ice directly to the serving pitcher, doing so will dilute the entire pitcher.
• Here’s another pro tip: the best way to serve this cold is to use chilled sparkling water rather than room temperature water when preparing the recipe.
• If time allows, chill the fresh-squeezed limeade in the refrigerator before serving. Then, add ice cubes to individual glasses just before serving.

How to Create a Watermelon Cocktail Using this Recipe

Are you looking for a watermelon limeade adult beverage? You can easily adapt this simple recipe to make some fun Frozen Watermelon Limeade Cocktails. 

Add a total of 4 – 6 shots of vodka or tequila (depending on your personal preference!) to the pitcher with the rest of the ingredients to make a watermelon limeade spritzer. For a tequila limeade, you might want to try rimming the cocktail glass with salt!

Another fun option is to adapt the recipe to make a blended drink:

• use half the amount of water listed and make sure it is uncarbonated instead of sparkling.
• combine the water, spirits, lime juice, simple syrup, and watermelon juice in a blender.
• add enough ice to make a thick slushie and blend

Do not serve alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. Drink with caution and do not drink and drive.

Time Saving Tips for this Watermelon Limeade Recipe

This recipe for Sparkling Watermelon Limeade cannot be prepared ahead of time due to the sparkling water (it will lose its carbonation over time in the refrigerator), but here are some other time saving tips to try:

• In this recipe you can prepare the Simple Syrup ahead of time as needed, and it should store in the refrigerator for about 5 days.
• I haven’t tested it out, but I imagine that you can most likely freeze the syrup if you want to keep it on hand in the freezer for future uses.
• You can blend and strain the watermelon to prepare the watermelon juice the day before and store it in the refrigerator. Some separation may occur and the juice will need to be stirred before preparing the recipe.
• Instead of preparing fresh watermelon juice using whole watermelon, you can look for watermelon juice at the grocery store. Look for the words “fresh pressed.”
• Don’t purchase watermelon juice with a blend of other juices or flavors, or a juice that is just watermelon flavored – it won’t be the same.

How to Serve Sparkling Watermelon Limeade

I served mine in tall glasses over lots of ice and made a cute garnish by cutting out small flower shapes in a piece of leftover watermelon. Overall, a tasty sweet treat!

More Ways to Garnish this Watermelon Limeade Recipe

For a pretty presentations when making this homemade drink, try some of these limeade garnish ideas. They will take this delicious limeade recipe to the next level:

• Fresh Mint Sprigs – not only does something green contrast beautifully with the bright color of this drink, the herbs are a natural flavor compliment
• Fresh Lime Wedge – extra lime looks pretty on the rim of the glass.
• Fresh Watermelon – Adding in a slice of watermelon adds a pop of extra color. You can also place cubed watermelon in the bottom of the glass and muddle it if you prefer.

What to Serve with Watermelon Limeade

This recipe for sparkling watermelon limeade goes super well with any of your favorite BBQ and picnic recipes.

We love a glass of watermelon limeade served with burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, or pulled pork. Try it with any of your favorite summery meals!

What Else to Make with Watermelon

Looking for more recipe ideas using Watermelon to to savor before summer produce season is over? Head over to the watermelon recipes section to find our favorite watermelon recipes. You never know what might spark your interest!

More Delicious Cold Drinks

Looking for some more refreshing beverages to serve throughout your summer? Try a few of these favorite easy recipes!

Homemade slushies like this recipe for a Cherry Limeade Slushie are perfect for summer and they’re super easy to make! 

A batch of this Tangerine Raspberry Iced Tea Recipe is the perfect way to toast to summer. Flavored iced tea is simple to make!

This Pineapple Limeade Cooler is so refreshing on a hot day and tastes great with your favorite taco recipe! If you prefer an adult beverage version, the pineapple limeade cooler pairs well with tequila or vodka as a spirit choice.

Nothing says summertime like an ice cold glass of Fresh Squeezed Strawberry Lemonade. The perfect drink that is both sweet and tart. Drink it just like it is, or use it as the base for your favorite adult cocktail.

A classic Moscow Mule gets a fruity twist with this recipe for Fresh Pineapple Mint Moscow Mules.

Spiced Lemonade is not as sugary sweet as a canned lemonade mix, which I appreciate, and its unique flavor is so refreshing! With a hint of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, this lemonade makes a tasty summer treat that the whole family will enjoy.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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What is your favorite summer drink?

Try this Easy Homemade Limeade Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for the perfect summertime drink, give this Fresh Watermelon Limeade Recipe! Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great drink recipe.

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