Easy peasy to pull together… have on the ready when the heat of Summer hits! Watermelon Lemon Limeade Popsicles are naturally sweetened, vegan and gluten free.
Summer seems a bit early this year, weather-wise, pushing Summer crops to market sooner than expected.
Watermelon from California is available already. Much to my excitement.
I remember waiting last year for what seemed like forever to get my hands on a juicy one. Then, once they arrived, I hoarded them. I made sure I always had at least two on hand and that we never ran out.
Watermelon became a pantry staple.
Our local watermelon are usually harvested in late August, maybe early September. About the size of a baseball, they’re called personal watermelons.
It just doesn’t seem to get hot enough here for them to get huge, like the ones of my childhood in Texas.
So it’s California, and eventually Oregon, watermelon all Summer long. Dark green are my favorite, about the size of a volleyball. Always organic.
They’re the sweetest, juiciest of all the melons and my most favorite fruit of the season.
Juicy and tasty alone, yes, but whiz watermelon up in a blender, add a little lemon, lime, and mint. With an overnight freeze, in a handy popsicle mold, popsicles are ready, stocked in your freezer for hot Summer days when nothing else will do.
For a boozy watermelon popsicle, check out my Watermelon Sangria Popsicle recipe.
A simple Summertime pleasure.
xo
Watermelon Lemon Limeade Popsicles
Easy peasy to pull together! Have on the ready when the heat of Summer hits. Naturally sweetened, vegan + gluten Free *Time below does not include time it takes to freeze the popsicles.
Ingredients
- 4 C Seedless Watermelon diced, 600g
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 Limes juiced
- 3 Tbs Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar
- 3 Tbs Water
- 6-8 Leaves Mint
- Pinch of Sea Salt
Instructions
- Place the watermelon, lemon and lime juice, maple syrup, water, mint leaves and sea salt in a high powered blender. Process until liquified and mint leaves pulverized (see note)
Pour into popsicle molds leaving about an 1/8" (3mm) head room at the top. Wipe the top of the mold dry, place lid on popsicles and insert the popsicle sticks. Freeze overnight or at least eight hours.
- To release the pops, I turn the mold on its side and run water over the the mold on both sides. I usually have to pry the lid off, wedging a fork in between the lid and mold, especially if I forgot to dry the top of the mold off before freezing. Gently wiggle the popsicle stick to remove the popsicle... be careful here, as I've broken the stick several times.
- Store in freezer between parchment paper for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
A high speed blender pulverizes the mint leaves. If not using a high speed blender like a VitaMix, consider leaving the leaves out and using a drop or two of mint extract. Or, heat the maple syrup and water to a boil, remove from heat, add the mint leaves and steep for 10 minutes, lid on. Strain and add to fruit juices.
Karl @ Healthy Kreation says
August 31, 2017 at 9:51 amI wish I was the one finishing that popsicle in your cute little gif! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Traci says
August 31, 2017 at 6:44 pmWelcome Karl! You know, you can always use ice trays or paper cups to make popsicles if a mold is not handy! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Shumaila says
July 6, 2016 at 12:29 pmI follow a similar recipe and add jalapenos because I love the kick! These pops look great, nothing like watermelon is summer!
danielle | rooting the sun says
June 28, 2016 at 6:39 amHi Traci! Just cruising your beautiful treats because I adore your taste buds. I have had this watermelon sitting atop the counter for too long (absurd, I know), and this looks the perfect treatment for it. During the summer I am forever glued to some version of a limeade – and I can only imagine the sweetness of the melon combined with the tartness of the lime. Thanks for the fantastic idea. xo
Traci says
June 28, 2016 at 8:59 amOoooh, you reminded me, I’ve got one in the fridge in the garage! LOL – and I adore your taste buds too (I love how you put that LOL!). Forever glued? Me too.. it’s quite refreshing, right? Add a pinch of salt too… it’s sooo good! xo
Jackie says
June 23, 2016 at 11:07 pmWatermelon is the best for summer weather—it’s so refreshing! Also, the lighting in your photos is so bright and happy :))
xoxo
Sea Salt Shoes
Traci says
June 26, 2016 at 3:49 pmThank you, Jackie! I’m pulling another out of the fridge and will be whippin these up again! We love em!
Eva says
June 21, 2016 at 3:39 amBonjour Traci, I would like to try you watermelon pops, looks so good and refreshing!
Traci says
June 23, 2016 at 5:24 amHi Eva! Thank you! I hope you enjoy these. :D
mia says
June 20, 2016 at 10:06 amwhat a easy summer popsicle recipe! I feel exactly the same about watermelons – SO GOOD. in the summer, we always have a large one on hand. wish we could grow our own.. even if it was the size of a baseball.. its still delicious watermelon! :-D
Traci says
June 21, 2016 at 4:15 amAgreed, Mia… even if they are the size of a baseball. It’s all about watermelon! I hope you enjoy the recipe! :D
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
June 13, 2016 at 4:19 pmI’m in love with these photos, Traci! They look like they’re straight out of a magazine! So bright and colorful.
California has been exploding with delicious summer produce! I’m going to have to live in a watermelon rind if I keep buying as much fruit as I have every week, haha! It’s totally worth it though. Watermelon is the perfect thing to cool off with on a hot day and it sounds even better in these popsicles. Gimme gimme!
Traci says
June 16, 2016 at 12:35 pmOh my goodness, thank you Sarah! Hahhaaaa live in a watermelon rind! My worms in the worm compost bin are already on strike! So they won’t accept any additional watermelon rind… good thing I can take it to the farm for composting. It takes up so much space! No doubt popsicles are where it’s at to stay cool! xo
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
June 12, 2016 at 5:29 pmI feel the exact same way, summer is way too early this year! I’m not quite ready for the extreme heat, but maybe it means it will go away early too?! I’ve been going through so much watermelon lately! These popsicles are just beautiful, Traci! I love the tartness you added with the lemon and lime, such amazing flavors! I hope you are staying cool!
Traci says
June 16, 2016 at 12:33 pmThank you, Izzy! Oh I can imagine how early it is for you Izzy! It’s soooo hot in AZ anyway! Watermelon is the best way to cool off, isn’t it? But freeze that watermelon and ahhhh it’s sublime!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
June 10, 2016 at 11:25 amSweet, juicy watermelons are one of the highlights of summer, and while not much gets better than eating it fresh, these popsicles make a strong argument. I must try them before the summer is up! Such beauties, and I love your cute GIF :D cheers to summer, Traci!
Traci says
June 14, 2016 at 7:29 amThank you, Rachel. Watermelon is a highlight indeed… but I figured why not freeze it. It gets so dang hot in August, all I want to do is eat anything frozen!
Amy | The Whole Food Rainbow says
June 10, 2016 at 10:10 amHow wonderful for watermelon not to be a treat but a part of everyday life in the summer! They’re such beautiful fruit I love them and these popsicles look amazing! <3
Traci says
June 13, 2016 at 11:52 amThank you Amy! Right? I agree. I find the volleyball size ones to be most delicious and their organic price is pretty competitive with conventional. But I guess that may depend on geographic location.
[email protected] says
June 10, 2016 at 7:44 amI was traveling all day yesterday making it difficult to spend much time on the computer, however, I was dreaming of these popsicles all day! I love anything watermelon inspired and this is no exception! Beautiful looking and tasting! As usual, my friend!!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
June 9, 2016 at 8:09 amYay for watermelon, Traci. I love the little personal ones – they’ve been on sale in the market lately – I buy one and bring it to work so everyone can enjoy. Love how you’re using it for a popsicle – the perfect summer treat!
Traci says
June 9, 2016 at 8:18 amYeah, those little ones are so tasty and adorable! The color makes me happy too :D . How sweet of you to bring watermelon to work. I bet that makes everyones day! :D
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
June 9, 2016 at 7:57 amI love love the GIF at the end! As always, your pictures are showing the true beauty of the produce here, and of course I love a good popsicle :) I thought of you last weekend while I was visiting a CSA farm and learning about the hard work that goes into growing our food. I learned to appreciate the produce so much more! xo
Traci says
June 9, 2016 at 8:17 amHooray! I love hearing this Abby! It’s so good to know where our food comes from and how it’s grown. So much work does go into producing food, especially when done on a smaller scale, non mechanized way. Every time I visit the farm, the farmers are covered in dirt! I know they’re working hard… so much love and passion going into what they do. Thank you for your kind words, Abby! xo
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife says
June 9, 2016 at 7:02 amLove the little animation at the end here Traci! Love love love to make homemade popsicles and these look absolutely delicious!! My kids are obsessed with watermelon juice, so I’m sure they would love these!! xoxo
Traci says
June 9, 2016 at 7:05 amLOL – Obsessed! We could form a watermelon obsessed club Rebecca! hehe! I’m thinking a bit of tequila would be good in these.. for the adults :D
Aysegul says
June 9, 2016 at 5:36 amWatermelon, lime and mint combination is my current obsession. Perfect summer treat regardless of how you serve it.
It is funny because I am doing a shoot for a smoothie with the same ingredients today. Great minds think alike, no? :))
I love how easy and simple this recipe is Traci. Oh and I love these GIFs my friend. Well done.
Cheers!
Traci says
June 9, 2016 at 6:14 amHehe! It’s just a simple, delicious combination of flavors. No doubt this was a smoothie before I poured it into the popsicle mold… great minds! YES! I could see adding a bit of tequila to it too! Hello weekend popsicles! Looking forward to your post Aysegul! xo
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
June 9, 2016 at 4:08 amThese popsicles are totally up my alley Traci! I just made a granita along the same lines! Nothing like some delicious, juicy watermelon during the summer! It’s always a favorite at our house! I’ll be adding these to my summer popsicle list ASAP! Enjoy your weekend my friend!
Traci says
June 9, 2016 at 5:24 amI know you like pops, Mary Ann! What I love about these are their simplicity. Easy peasy and on the ready! Looking forward to your granita and trying your bourbon peach pops this Summer! :D