Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite summer sip: the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler. This brilliantly refreshing drink is packed with juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, lively lime, and an herbal burst of mint, all finished with a sparkling splash. It’s the ultimate, thirst-quenching remedy for hot afternoons or friendly gatherings, with a twist of collagen peptides to give each glass an extra nutritional boost. The vibrant colors and flavors make this drink as much a treat for the eyes as it is for your taste buds!

Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler truly special is its lineup of fresh, simple ingredients—all bringing their own magic to the glass. Everything here has been chosen to create a delightful balance of sweetness, freshness, and a little sparkle. Here’s what you’ll need for a pitcher (or several glasses) of pure summer joy:

Watermelon: Use about 4.5 lbs of ripe, juicy watermelon, cut into large chunks. This is the backbone of the drink, giving it vivid color and natural sweetness.
Honey: A quarter cup adds just the right touch of floral sweetness. If you like it sweeter, feel free to add a bit more!
Cucumber: A quarter of a peeled cucumber gives that next-level freshness and a cool, soothing vibe to each sip.
Mint: Half a cup of fresh mint leaves lends herbal notes and that classic cooling sensation that pairs perfectly with the other flavors.
Limes: You’ll need two—the juice brings a bright, tangy zing that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: Add two scoops for an invisible nutrient boost with no compromise on texture or flavor.
Club Soda: Top off each glass with a fizzy splash to make this cooler ultra-refreshing and light.
Crushed Ice: Essential for chilling the drink and giving it that irresistible frosty feel.

How to Make Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler

Step 1: Muddle the Mint

Begin by dividing fresh mint leaves between your serving glasses. Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, gently press the leaves to release their aromatic oils. This step ensures every sip of your Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler is kissed with fresh mint flavor. Top each glass with a generous scoop of crushed ice to keep everything crisp and cold.

Step 2: Blend the Fruit Base

In a high-powered blender, combine the watermelon chunks, honey, peeled cucumber, and two scoops of collagen peptides. Blend on high until your mixture is silky-smooth and vibrantly pink. This luscious, nutrient-packed base is where all those summery flavors start to mingle and shine.

Step 3: Pour and Prepare

Pour the blended watermelon mixture into your prepared glasses, filling about two-thirds of the way up. Leaving space at the top is important, since you’ll add lime juice and club soda for the final fizzy flourish.

Step 4: Squeeze in the Lime

Take a half lime for each glass and give it a firm, juicy squeeze right into the drink. The zesty lime juice brightens and lifts all the other flavors, making your Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler pop with tangy freshness.

Step 5: Top with Club Soda and Enjoy

Finally, top off each glass with a splash of bubbly club soda. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything, then step back and admire your creation! It’s cool, effervescent, and just waiting to be enjoyed.

How to Serve Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler

Garnishes

Dress up each glass of Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler with a sprig of fresh mint, a slice of cucumber, or a wedge of lime perched on the rim. Not only do these garnishes look stunning, but they also offer an inviting aroma every time you take a sip. If you’re feeling extra festive, a tiny watermelon cube on a cocktail skewer is a playful surprise!

Side Dishes

This cooler pairs beautifully with summer snacks—think crispy pita chips and hummus, fresh fruit platters, or a crunchy veggie crudités. The light, bright flavors in the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler work well alongside spicy grilled shrimp or tangy feta salads, making it a true crowd-pleaser for any picnic or garden party.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler in glass mason jars or tall highball glasses for a casual-chic vibe. For parties, set up a DIY cooler bar with bowls of garnishes and let guests customize their drinks. Or, freeze small cubes of watermelon and cucumber to use as ice—these make each glass look extra special and keep your cooler cold without watering it down.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler, store it in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The flavors actually deepen and meld together, but you might want to skim off any separating pulp before serving again. Remember to add ice and a splash of fresh club soda just before pouring.

Freezing

Have leftovers and don’t want to waste a drop? Freeze the blended fruit base in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop them out and store in a freezer bag for up to one month. To enjoy, blend with a little club soda for an instant slushy treat or drop cubes directly into your next cooler for a flavor boost.

Reheating

While you won’t be reheating the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler (since it’s all about the chill!), you can revive its fresh fizz by adding more club soda and fresh ice to any refrigerated leftovers. If the cooler seems a bit flat, a small splash of lime juice livens it right back up.

FAQs

Can I make the Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler without collagen peptides?

Absolutely! The collagen peptides are totally optional—they add a little protein boost, but the drink stays delicious and perfectly refreshing without them.

Is there a way to make this drink vegan?

It’s easy to make a vegan version: simply swap maple syrup or agave nectar for honey and omit the collagen peptides, or use a plant-based protein powder of your choice.

Can I use sparkling water instead of club soda?

Yes! Sparkling water, seltzer, or any fizzy water works perfectly in place of club soda. You can even play with flavored sparkling waters for a citrus or berry twist.

How far in advance can I prepare the base mixture?

You can make the watermelon, cucumber, honey, and collagen base up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge, then just add lime, club soda, and ice when ready to serve for the freshest taste.

What’s the best way to scale this recipe for a party?

Simply double or triple the ingredient amounts and blend in batches if needed. Assemble as directed, or offer the blended base and fizzy club soda separately so guests can build their own Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler just the way they like it.

Final Thoughts

There’s something endlessly joyful about serving a glass of Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler—the colors, the fizz, the garden-fresh flavors all come together for a sip that instantly feels festive. Try it the next time you’re looking for a healthy, hydrating treat, and watch how quickly it becomes a summertime favorite among friends and family!

Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 26 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Watermelon + Cucumber Cooler is a refreshing and hydrating summer drink that combines the sweetness of watermelon with the crispness of cucumber, mint, and lime. The addition of collagen peptides adds a boost of protein to this delicious beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

Watermelon Cooler:

1/2 watermelon, cut into large pieces (roughly 4.5 lbs)
1/4 cup honey
2 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Cucumber Cooler:

1/4 cucumber, peeled
1/2 cup mint
2 limes, halved
Club soda

Instructions

Muddle mint: Muddle mint and divide into glasses and top with crushed ice.
Blend watermelon mix: In a blender, combine watermelon, honey, Collagen Peptides, and cucumber. Blend on high until smooth.
Fill glasses: Pour the watermelon mix into glasses, filling them 2/3 of the way.
Add lime juice: Squeeze juice from half a lime into each glass.
Top with club soda: Add a bit of club soda to each glass, stir, and enjoy!

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey according to your taste preferences.
For a stronger mint flavor, muddle the mint leaves more vigorously.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American