These watermelon popsicles make a refreshing and fun summer snack – and an excellent post-long run cool down treat! They’re sweetened with honey, too, so there’s no refined sugar.
Rosemary adds a delicious pop of herby flavor, and fresh lime juice makes them extra refreshing!
Thank you to The Watermelon Board for sponsoring this post, originally published in 2016.
When I was a kid, I used to love spending long summer days at the pool. If I had my way, I’d stay all day long, only leaving the water when forced to by the dreaded shrill blow of a whistle and accompanying yell: “adult swim!”.
I’d play and play and play until I was exhausted, jumping off the diving board, playing sharks and minnows, trying to hold my breath and swim all the way across the pool the long way, and working on my underwater handstands. I remember having to be dragged home – I never wanted to leave.
One of the only things that would get me out of the water during those fun summer days was a cold treat. I’d walk as quickly as possible without getting yelled at by the lifeguards (“no running on the pool deck!”), dripping everywhere, to the pool snack bar.
I’d place a wrinkled, soggy bill on the counter and eagerly await my bounty. Ice cream was always a big favorite – as were popsicles.
Homemade Watermelon Popsicles
Anytime I eat a popsicle nowadays, I’m instantly taken back to those hot summer days when I was a kid. I’d return, sticky hands and chin, to the water a few minutes later, the taste of chlorine mingling with that of the fruity treat.
These watermelon lime popsicles are quite a bit more sophisticated than the icy treats of my childhood, but nostalgic nonetheless, and seriously delicious. They are also easy, so you can spend more time adventuring and less time kitchen-ing. 🙂
Back when I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon (thanks to sponsorship from my friends at The Watermelon Board), these popsicles were an amazing post-run treat. (And a nutritious one, too – watermelon is a great way to rehydrate, and also contains potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and antioxidants – all great for recovery/health!).
(Here are more tasty & healthy summer snacks to try!)
Recipe Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make these healthy watermelon popsicles:
- watermelon
- lime
- honey
- rosemary
That’s it! Feel free to add in a little bit of extra summer fruit, like peaches or strawberries, if you’d like.
Here’s another similar recipe for adults: watermelon lime mojito sorbet! (You can replace the rum with water to make it kid-friendly.) I also highly recommend trying these nectarine ice pops for another tasty frozen summer treat!
How to Make Watermelon Popsicles
First, simply add all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour equal amounts of the mixture into popsicle molds. Place in the freezer and freeze until solid, then carefully remove them from the molds. (Tip: running water water around the outside of the molds will make the removal process easier).
Then, enjoy! The watermelon is the star in these fresh watermelon popsicles – so refreshing and bright – but the rosemary lends a fun unexpected pop of flavor.
Basil or mint would also be excellent here if you’re not a rosemary fan!
How to Choose a Ripe Watermelon
Picking a ripe watermelon isn’t as tough as it sounds! Look for a watermelon that has a consistent striped pattern, with a clear contrast between the dark green stripes and the pale stripes.
Also, check whether the watermelon is dull or shiny on the outside. A shiny watermelon is likely underripe, so choose a dull one instead!
A ripe watermelon should be round and heavy. A large yellow spot on the outside of the watermelon is also often a good sign that the watermelon will be sweet.
Do I need popsicle molds to make these?
Using popsicle molds is the best method for making these easy watermelon popsicles. But, you can also freeze them in paper cups, then tear off the paper cups once they’re frozen solid and you’re ready to enjoy.
You will need popsicle sticks either way, though, in order to eat them.
I hope that these popsicles bring back some happy childhood memories for you, too, and that you eat them with joy. You’ll find the full watermelon popsicle recipe at the end of this post!
I’ll leave you with one more tip: if you get tired of the popsicles, blend them up with some rum and additional lime juice and have yourself a party. 😉 Enjoy!
If you love watermelon, try these other healthy watermelon recipes:
- Salmon with Watermelon Salsa
- Watermelon Rind Smoothie
- Watermelon Rind Salad with Feta & Arugula
- Fermented Watermelon Rind Pickles
- Watermelon Chicken with Balsamic Glaze
Watermelon Popsicles with Lime
These watermelon popsicles with lime are a refreshing and fun frozen summer snack to help cool you down on a hot day! Quick and easy to make, too.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- juice from 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves (removed from stems)
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
- Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight, until solid.
- Enjoy!
Notes:
Not a rosemary fan? Feel free to replace it with basil or mint, or just leave it out.
