simple recipe for making refreshing watermelon juice

Ingredients:

4 cups of diced watermelon, seeds removed
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
1-2 tablespoons of honey or sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the watermelon)
Ice cubes (optional)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Start by preparing the watermelon. Cut the watermelon into chunks, removing any seeds if present. You should have about 4 cups of diced watermelon.
Place the diced watermelon into a blender.
Add the freshly squeezed lime juice to the blender. Lime juice enhances the flavor of the watermelon and adds a refreshing tanginess.
If you prefer your juice sweeter, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or sugar to the blender. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste preference and the natural sweetness of the watermelon.
Blend the watermelon mixture on high speed until smooth and well combined. This should only take a minute or so.
Once blended, taste the watermelon juice and adjust the sweetness or lime juice if necessary.
If desired, add a few ice cubes to the blender and blend again briefly to make the juice chilled and slushy.
Pour the watermelon juice into glasses. You can strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve if you prefer a smoother texture, although it’s not necessary.
Garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and added freshness.
Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing taste of homemade watermelon juice!

Look for a Symmetrical Shape: A good watermelon should be symmetrical and free from irregular bumps or dents. Avoid watermelons with odd shapes as they may indicate uneven ripening or poor growth conditions.
Check the Color: A ripe watermelon typically has a deep green color with dark stripes or spots. However, the color can vary depending on the variety. Look for vibrant, uniform coloring without any white or pale areas.
Tap Test: Give the watermelon a gentle tap with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon will produce a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull or flat, the watermelon may be underripe. Avoid watermelons that sound too hollow or overly dense.
Weight: A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size. This indicates that it is juicy and full of water. Lift the watermelon and compare its weight to others of similar size.
Check the Underside: Lift the watermelon and inspect its underside. You should see a creamy yellow or light-colored spot where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun. A white or green underside may indicate that the watermelon was picked too early.
Stem and Tail: Examine the stem and tail of the watermelon. A dried, brown stem indicates that the watermelon is ripe. If the stem is green or has leaves attached, it may have been picked prematurely.

Do watermelons ripen after picking?

Watermelons do not continue to ripen once harvested1. Once they are separated from the vine, the ripening process stops. To reach their peak sweetness, watermelons must be harvested at just the right time so they are not under or over-ripe. When you choose a watermelon at the store, it is as ripe as possible. You cannot leave them on the kitchen counter and hope they will ripen with time, as you might with bananas or pears.
Should watermelon be refrigerated?

Refrigeration depends on the state of the watermelon2. Whole watermelons should be kept on the counter at room temperature to maintain their sweetness and overall flavor. Once a watermelon is cut, it must be refrigerated to keep it from drying out and going bad.
How long do watermelons from the store last?

Uncut watermelons can last on your counter at room temperature anywhere from 7 to 10 days. But this changes once you cut into your watermelon. Once cut, watermelon is only good in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days3 before it starts to go bad.