Watermelon Mint Lemonade (the Best Chick-Fil-A Copycat)
Those flavorful lemons and sweet watermelon you got at the farmer's markets this weekend are begging for this twist on classic lemonade! My chick-fil-a watermelon mint lemonade copycat recipe is the perfect combination of watermelon and tangy lemons. It's one of my favorite summer drinks!
As the temperature soars, life becomes a delightful series of invitations to BBQ cookouts, idyllic picnics, and delightful pool days. But amidst the sizzling grill and the sound of ice cubes tinkling in glasses, we can't forget the quest for the ultimate elixir to quench our thirst on hot summer days.
So let's get those pitchers ready, 'cause today I'm giving you the perfect summer weather sip: Watermelon Mint Lemonade.
It's my take on the back-by-popular-demand fan fave (and who knows if it'll come back next summer), made with fresh lemonade and so much watermelon goodness, all whipped up at home for the whole family to enjoy.
So, my loves, it's time to relish every sip, for today we raise our glasses in a toast to what I'm calling the unofficial official refreshing and delicious drink of the season!
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Why you're going to love this Watermelon Mint Lemonade Recipe
- Simple Ingredients - the shine is all on the three essential flavors of summer – juicy watermelon, cool mint, and zesty lemon.
- Unique Lemonade Recipe - I love a new special twist on classic drinks! This is like a blend of sweet watermelon agua fresca and yummy summer lemonade.
- Make Ahead - watermelon lemonade can be made the day before you need it. Ice cold lemonade right when you need it!
- Can be Turned into a Cocktail - easily add in tequila, vodka, or your favorite liquor to turn this into an adult-party-ready beverage.
Equipment
Blender - a must for that watermelon puree! You could also use a food processor.
Fine-Mesh Sieve - this is to strain the pulp from the watermelon juice.
Saucepan - to make the syrup!
Large Pitcher - to hold it all in.
Key Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Lemon Mint Simple Syrup
- Fresh Mint Leaves - tie the mint in a bouquet garni with twine so you can easily fish them out of the simple syrup
- Lemon Zest - this is where all the lemon flavor is, in those essential oils. Use organic and preferably unwaxed lemons (or wash them very thoroughly!)
- Granulated Sugar - we don't want a sweetener with a flavor that'll distract from the lemon and mint, so regular granulated sugar is my go to.
Watermelon Lemonade
- Fresh Watermelon - Use a seedless watermelon for less trouble. No one wants to be picking a bunch of seeds out of the watermelon to puree it.
- Lemon Juice - bottled lemon juice just doesn't taste the same as fresh.
- The Lemon Mint Simple Syrup
- Cold Water - And I do mean cold! Especially if you're making this lemonade to serve right away.
Picking the Perfect Fresh Watermelon
When you're looking for a melon at the grocery store or the watermelon trucks, there are four things I am looking for to make sure I buy a juicy, sweet watermelon.
It's stayed out in the sun: A perfectly sweet, ripe watermelon will have a large, golden-yellow field spot (that’s where the melon lies on the ground). It'll also look a bit beat up with 'webbing' scratches from the bees, according to my grandma, but it should not be lumpy or bruised.
Pick it up and take a look: The vine stump should be browned rather than green, the rind will have a dull appearance instead of shiny, and it will be heavy for its size (Heavy = Extra Juicy!). But make sure it doesn't have a flat bottom, that's an overripe melon.
How to thump a watermelon: Give it a good thump-thump with one hand while holding the melon, and listen for a deep vibration that reaches the other hand. If it's flat sounding, it's overripe. If it's a dull thud, it's done for and completely mushy. If it makes a 'ping' sound, it's an unripe melon.
Round melons: You also want to go for the round watermelons. Those are the female melons, which are sweeter watermelons than the long ones!
How to Make a Lemonade Simple Syrup
Step 1 | Bring the ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer over medium low for about 15 minutes. Don't forget to remove the mint sprigs!
Step 2 | Remove from heat and pour into a heat-safe container to cool.
How to Make Watermelon Mint Lemonade
Step 1 | Blend the watermelon in a blender or food processor until very smooth.
Step 2 | Strain the pureed watermelon through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher and discard the watermelon pulp.
Step 3 | Make the homemade lemonade by stirring the lemon juice, lemon mint syrup, and about 4 cups of water together until well blended.
Step 4 | Mix the watermelon juice and lemonade together and boom, your homemade watermelon mint lemonade is ready! Let chill in the fridge until ready to serve or serve over ice!
Variations and Substitutions
- Watermelon Mint Frosted Lemonade - swap the lemonade for a lemon sorbet and blend up the sorbet, watermelon, and lemon mint syrup in a blender until smooth. Serve cold!
- Watermelon Mint Limeade - use limes instead of lemons for both the syrup and the limeade. It'll be more tart from the limes.
- Watermelon Lemonade Popsicles - pour your lemonade into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
- Make a yummy Watermelon Vodka Cocktail!
- Watermelon Mint Sunjoy - make this half lemonade-half sweetened iced tea recipe, then add the watermelon juice and lemon mint syrup!
- Watermelon Mint Iced Tea - use your favorite sweet tea instead of lemonade!
Pro Tips
- We're using a homemade lemonade recipe for this refreshing summer drink, but you're more than welcome to use your favorite store bought version for a fast and easy beverage.
- Don't scoop too close to the rind! The watermelon tastes sour as it loses its color and becomes more white near the rind.
- You can muddle the mint within the drink itself if you want a hint of mint more than an entire mint syrup.
- No fresh mint? Use a couple of drops of mint extract. I mean that this stuff is powerful, 2-3 drops will be enough.
Storage
Keep in a large pitcher covered with plastic wrap or a lid for up to 2 days.
More Summer Drinks
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📖 Recipe
Watermelon Mint Lemonade (Chick-Fil-A Copycat)
Ingredients
Lemon Mint Simple Syrup
- Zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Watermelon Mint Lemonade
- 6 cups fresh watermelon
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup lemon mint simple syrup
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup
- Stir the lemon zest, sugar, mint leaves, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, then turn the temperature to medium/medium low to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the color of the syrup turns yellow from the lemons, the sugar has completely dissolved, and the syrup is fragrant.
- Turn the heat off, and pour the lemon mint syrup through a mesh sieve into a heat-safe container.
- Make the Watermelon Lemonade
- Purée the watermelon flesh in the blender until smooth. Pour it through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove the pulp.
- Add the lemon syrup, lemon juice, and water to the pitcher and stir until well combined.
- Chill in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or a lid until ready to serve.
- Serve over ice cubes or frozen watermelon cubes.
Notes
Pro Tips
- We're using a homemade lemonade recipe for this refreshing summer drink, but you're more than welcome to use your favorite store bought version for a fast and easy beverage.
- Don't scoop too close to the rind! The watermelon tastes sour as it loses its color and becomes more white near the rind.
- You can muddle the mint within the drink itself if you want a hint of mint more than an entire mint syrup.
- No fresh mint? Use a couple of drops of mint extract. I mean that this stuff is powerful, 2-3 drops will be enough.
Variations and Substitutions
- Watermelon Mint Frosted Lemonade - swap the lemonade for a lemon sorbet and blend up the sorbet, watermelon, and lemon mint syrup in a blender until smooth. Serve cold!
- Watermelon Mint Limeade - use limes instead of lemons for both the syrup and the limeade. It'll be more tart from the limes.
- Watermelon Lemonade Popsicles - pour your lemonade into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
- Make a yummy Watermelon Vodka Cocktail!
- Watermelon Mint Sunjoy - make this half lemonade-half sweetened iced tea recipe, then add the watermelon juice and lemon mint syrup!
- Watermelon Mint Iced Tea - use your favorite sweet tea instead of lemonade!
