In India, it is traditional to add different masala (or spice) to juices. And kala namak is the masala most popular with watermelon. The umami slightly sour flavor of kala namak balances the sweetness of watermelon creating the best watermelon juice –one we think you’ll soon crave!
Fresh Watermelon Juice Benefits
And bonus! Watermelon has so many health benefits such as:
- Mostly water, watermelon is an excellent way to hydrate
- Watermelon is naturally low in calories
- Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamins A & C as well as Potassium and Magnesium
- Watermelon is an excellent after-workout snack as it is a rich source of citrulline (an amino acid that helps with recovery after exercise).
And let’s not forget, it just tastes delicious!
Ingredients:
Let’s talk about what you need to make Masala Watermelon Juice.
Watermelon. Umm, watermelon of course! One cup of chopped watermelon will produce about 1/2 cup of juice.
Water. Adding water to your watermelon juice is not a requirement, but we’ve found that it thins out the juice making it a bit more pleasant to sip. Feel free to play around with how much water you add to your juice.
Lime. A squeeze or two of fresh lime or lemon juice helps to add a bit of freshness and counteracts the sweetness of the watermelon.
Kala Namak. Also known as Himalayan Black Salt, this salt is pungent and sulfurous. Its flavor also balances the sweetness of the watermelon and adds just a touch of umami.
We dive deep into this unique Indian salt in our Story of Kala Namak post.
You can find Kala Namak as well as many more Indian spices at SpiceTopia
Technique:
So what equipment is needed to make watermelon juice?
Just a blender and maybe a mesh strainer if you want your juice pulp free. That’s it–no juicer required!
Place all your ingredients in a blender and hit that blend button! If you’d like to strain your juice afterward to remove any pulp, you can use a mesh strainer to strain it.
Sometimes recipes call for seeding your watermelon before blending it. We prefer to blend those seeds along with the fruit as they are full of nutrients and once blended we don’t even notice them.
Watermelon Juice Variations
As with most simple recipes, don’t be afraid to make it your own!
A few variations, we’ve tried and enjoyed include:
- Adding mint! Muddle fresh mint leaves in the bottom of your glass before pouring in your watermelon juice.
- Add cucumber! Cucumbers and watermelon seem to be natural companions. Cut out the middle seedy part of the cucumbers before adding the cucumber right into the blender with your watermelon.
- Add Ginger! Grate an inch of fresh ginger root. Add to a ½ cup of water. Let sit for thirty minutes. Strain the ginger from the water and use that water in your watermelon juice recipe.
We’ve also been known to make this watermelon juice into ice cubes. Add a few cubes of frozen watermelon juice to a glass and top with tequila for an easy summer cocktail!
How to Store Watermelon Juice
This watermelon juice recipe will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It may separate as it sits. Simply stir before using. If your juice begins to smell sour or “off” discard it.
We love seeing what you create with our recipes! Tag us on Instagram @spicetopia so we can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find us on Pinterest and Facebook.
We’d love to know what you thought of this recipe! Don’t forget to leave a comment.
Indian Watermelon Juice
Ingredients
Indian Watermelon Juice Recipe
Instructions
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Add watermelon with water and lime or lemon juice to the blender.
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Puree until completely smooth.
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If preferred strain.
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Add Kala Namak and stir.
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Serve chilled.