This Watermelon-Strawberry Smoothie Uses Just 3 Ingredients—and It’s RD-Approved

There are certain drinks that, for me, just belong in the summertime. Fresh-squeezed lemonade, frozen cocktails, and this 3-ingredient smoothie that I make over and over when it’s hot out. The ingredients include watermelon, frozen strawberries, and a squeeze of lime juice. You don’t even need ice!

I drink this watermelon-strawberry smoothie because it’s refreshing and delicious, but I secretly suspected that it was really healthy too. To confirm, I spoke with Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, to get a better idea of exactly how nutritious this bright red beverage really is.

How to Make This Easy Watermelon-Strawberry Smoothie

One of the reasons this drink is a summer staple in my house is because it’s a cinch to make, especially if you start with pre-cubed watermelon. But even if you don’t, it will take less than five minutes. Here’s how you prepare it.

Place 1 1/2 cups cold seedless watermelon cubes and 4 or 5 frozen strawberries in a blender. Add a squeeze of lime juice, and, optional, a pinch of salt. (Both the lime juice and the salt balance out the sweetness in the drink.) Blend until smooth.

That’s it! In addition to adding flavor, the frozen strawberries make the drink super cold and add a frosty texture. Plus they offer more nutritional benefits and make for a less watery texture than using ice.

If it’s a particularly hot day, I’ll drink this in the morning for breakfast along with peanut butter or avocado toast or scrambled eggs. It also makes for a welcome snack on a steamy afternoon.

Health Benefits

OK, so we know this drink is easy to make and very easy to drink. And, obviously watermelon and strawberries are healthy ingredients. But, to find out just how this smoothie was benefiting my bod, I reached out to Largeman-Roth, author of Everyday Snack Tray. She told me that this mix of ingredients provides both hydration and antioxidants. “Watermelon is one of the most hydrating fruits available. It’s 92% water, so one cup of the melon is nearly equivalent to a cup of water.”

Watermelon is also rich in the antioxidant lycopene; in fact, it’s the fresh food that’s highest in lycopene (cooked tomatoes are higher). “Diets rich in lycopene are linked to lower rates of cancer, heart disease and also age-related eye disease,” says Largeman-Roth.

And while the watermelon makes up most of this drink, the strawberries add benefits too. “They’re vitamin C stars, making them a fabulous food for skin health. You need vitamin C to make collagen, which helps keep your skin looking youthful and plump,” says Largeman-Roth. But that’s not all. “Strawberries are also rich in flavonoids, which have been shown to help lower risk of stroke in women.”

Good for hydration, my skin, and potentially lowering my risk of stroke? Time to break out the blender again.

Watermelon-Strawberry Smoothie Variations

Feel free to swap frozen raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries for the frozen strawberries; use about a 1/2 cup. Just be warned that the blackberries or blueberries will affect the vivid red hue of the drink. It will still taste great, though!

If you don’t have a lime around, squeeze in some lemon juice, or—and this might sound crazy, but it’s actually really good—a splash of balsamic vinegar. Any acidic ingredient will help balance out the sweetness in the drink. Balsamic will also contribute an intriguing depth of flavor.

And while this variation is less likely to be RD-approved, this drink is also an excellent and versatile base for a low-ABV cocktail. Just stir a splash of vodka, gin, Campari, or tequila into the smoothie and garnish with a fresh strawberry, lime wedge, or watermelon wedge. Cheers!