But first, the story behind the inspiration… the rather indulgent inspiration.
A few years ago, Ryan met up with his friend Ryan (two Ryan’s!) in North Carolina for a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. After a week or so of hiking, they made it back to their car and headed home, making a quick pit stop at Cook Out for milkshakes. At the urging of his friend, Ryan ordered a watermelon milkshake. A love affair was born!
During our drive to Charlotte for Ryan’s interview back in May, we passed a bunch of Cook Outs and Ryan practically salivated when he told me about the glory that is the watermelon milkshake. We pulled off at an exit to order one only to find that they are seasonal and only available at Cook Out in July and August.
Well July is here and Ryan has already enjoyed his fair share of watermelon milkshakes. He bought one for me on the way home from a morning of golf with his friend Eric last weekend and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t like it. Watermelon plus ice cream? It sounded pretty nasty to me. Well, I was wrong and it tasted surprisingly good. Like real watermelon. I was expecting it to taste like watermelon flavor, but it tasted like the real fruit, but creamier.
Last night, Ryan and I ordered milkshakes after our evening swim in the lake and I realized something. For the ridiculous number of smoothies and blended drinks I’ve made throughout the years, I don’t think I’ve ever made one drink with watermelon. This had to change!
This afternoon, I set out to create a summery drink with watermelon as the main ingredient. I wanted something light and refreshing and thought pineapple, watermelon and mint flavors would pair well together.
The end result was a pineapple watermelon and mint smoothie.
It almost inspired me to go out for an afternoon run because I think this drink would be the perfect post-run treat. It’s super hydrating, cooling and slightly sweet.
Watermelon Smoothie
Print
Watermelon Smoothie (with Pineapple and Mint)
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: dessert, recipes
- Cuisine: dessert
Description
This smoothie is light and refreshing and slightly sweet! The pineapple, watermelon and mint flavors pair well together.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup seedless watermelon chunks
- 3/4 cup frozen pineapple
- 1/4 cup pineapple coconut water
- 5 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth
- Garnish with additional mint leaves and enjoy
Drink up!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
On this 95 degree day that looks like heaven. I think I’d drink it straight from the blender!
I’ve never had a watermelon smoothie before, but it sounds really good. Smoothies are so good during the hot summer weather.
This looks and sound so good, and so simple! Just right for me! Yay! Thanks for posting!!!
Oh my gosh! Yum! Crap, just finished off the watermelon yesterday! Time to buy more? I think yes!
watermelon AND pineapple? it’s the epitome of summer! i already love this recipe =)
Oh my goodness, so summery! Looks delish!
PLUS if you toss a little rum in there it’d be perfect for a girl’s day drink by the pool! 😉
I had the same thought!!!! 🙂
That looks incredibly hydrating and delicious! Almost like a slushie. And mint is actually very good for digestion…so keep drinkin’!
It reminded me a lot of a slushie!!
Definitely trying this!
I have never thought to add watermelon to a smoothie, but I am loving this idea!
Throw in some run and that’s a delicious cocktail!
Don’t show RunEatRepeat this! 🙂
Haha! She is the watermelon queen!
YUM!! this looks and sounds SO refreshing!!!
This just SCREAMS summer! Looks fabulous! Now I just gotta get down to NC to try that watermelon milkshake…. 😉
YUM! I have never thought of adding watermelon to a smoothie, either! We were in VA the other weekend and a friend picked up a cookout milkshake– I had never heard of them before but holy cow, it was SO good! I think it was peanut butter chocolate? amazingggg!
Oh I just love Cookout milkshakes! This smoothie sounds like a perfect treat in this NC heat!
Oh my I have to try this! I eat so much watermelon in the summer. Yum. 🙂
This sounds delicious!!
I love watermelon in a smoothie, you don’t need to add any liquid since there’s so much juice!
I love watermelon smoothies! I like to toss a little matcha green tea powder in mine.
We make watermelon water all summer long! It’s so refreshing and a great way to stay hydrated! We cut up one watermelon and blend it with two cups of water and then I make a small amount of simple syrup to sweeten it a little.
YUM!
Julie, so funny but I’ve been drinking watermelon smoothies like they are going out of style. Just watermelon in the blender and that’s it! Sometimes I add some mint and coconut water. It’s so refreshing. Your recipe looks amazing!
I’ve never tried watermelon before–great idea for summer! I think I might try freezing the watermelon first.
I never would have thought to pair watermelon and pineapple. But I’m going to take your word for it and give it a try. Definitely sound refreshing. 🙂
Yum, I’m obsessed with watermelon smoothies! You know what you should try? A watermelon strawberry smoothie! I just throw frozen strawberries + watermelon + a pinch of sweetener in a blender and it is SO YUMMY!
I’ll definitely give that a try!
I love watermelon in drinks! Lately I have been starting the mornings with a blend of watermelon, spinach, banana and cinnamon. It is absolutely delicious as the watermelon gives it a refreshing taste while the banana adds a creamy texture. Heaven!
Oooh sounds good!
Mmmm I’ve never tried watermelon in a smoothie before. This recipe sounds delicious.
This sounds perfectly refreshing for all the 100° (and above!) days we’ve been having up here in northern CA! Definitely giving it a go. 🙂
YUMMM!!! Watermelon and pineapple sound like a delicious combo!
Yum yum, my dear! I just shared with my Facebook readers and I plan on making this for myself and my one year old next week. I will probably even add a smidgen of Greek yogurt to make frozen pops for her!
Looks good! Love when you post recipes – keep posting!
Do you think you’ll work in Charlotte? I love that city, would love to come back to visit. Not sure what the job market is like, but look forward to hearing about your experiences moving to a small city. Having the same experience right now….
I feel lucky that this blog functions as my job from a financial perspective, but once we find a more permanent place to live here and I know the area we will be in, I’d love to look for something! I have a few ideas and different avenues I may explore!
I love watermelon drinks. Why isn’t watermelon in smoothies a normal thing? I’ll have to try it.
I am currently obsessed with watermelon and mint so this sounds perfect! Thanks for the tip 🙂
This sounds absolutly devine! I’m going to make it this weekend!
Oh man, Isaac LOVES Cookout too. They just came to Richmond a year or so ago and everyone was so excited — there were super long lines. I’ve never eaten there but I’ve heard the milkshakes are delish and Isaac loves that he can get hushpuppies as a side. 🙂
A watermelon shake doesn’t sound very good to me either but I won’t knock it since I haven’t tried it. On the other hand, your smoothie with pineapple and mint sounds awesome!
This looks so refreshing, You know, I’ve never made a smoothie with watermelon yet, I’ve made it with honey dew, but watermelon sounds so good.
Thanks for the recipe Julie! I made it today and added a splash of lime juice, was delicious!
Yum!! I’ll have to try that!
Will love to try this! (:
This looked so good I had to make it! Didn’t have pineapple or coconut water, so instead I used frozen strawberries, juice from one lime, and a bit of water. Perfecto!
I’ve eaten fruit salad consisting watermelon. But I never drank watermelon smoothie. It looks so tasty and refreshing. I’ll add it to my list of healthy smoothies 🙂
Thank you for your recipe.
YUM! I will have to try this. My sister and I made watermelon jalapeno margaritas for a happy hour this summer and those were amazing too!
-AJ
OccasionallyAJ.com
I made this tonight, but they didn’t have fresh mint at my grocery store so I made a couple changes. I added vanilla protein powder and greek yogurt to thicken it so it could be a meal. I also threw in a little handful of spinach to get my veggies. So good! I definitely can’t wait to try to original recipe and add a little rum 🙂
Yay!!
Nom nom nom, this sounds delicious!