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[Flash in the Pan] Summer Refresher: Watermelon-Basil Cooler

by Ricki Heller 49 Comments

[Sometimes, you just want a dish that’s quick and easy–no fuss.  I’ve decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly or else is so simple to make that no recipe is required. Here’s today’s “Flash in the Pan.” (For other FitP recipes, see “Categories” at right).]‘

It’s Memorial Day weekend in the US today, so here’s wishing all my American friends and family a relaxing, enjoyable time (and some great weather)! I’ll be spending my weekend deep in memory, too:  remembering how great it was last weekend, that is, when we Canadians had an extra day off for our own May long weekend).  😉

And what a weekend it was!  Yep, it looks like summer arrived early in Toronto this year.  As a result, we’ve all been pulling out those previously packed-up shorts, sneakers, tank tops and BBQs while enjoying extra-long daylight hours, soaring temperatures (broke another record this week), unexpected runs through the sprinkler–and (of course) ice cream.

To herald in the season, I held a potluck party with some of my nutrition-school friends last week (an annual tradition we’ve been following for the past 5 years). I’ll share all our inventive salads and a smashing raw dessert next time, but for now I wanted to sneak in a quick recipe that the HH and I have been savoring for the past few days.  This is so quick and easy to make, it barely requires a recipe; but it’s also so fantastic that I simply had to share!

I deconstructed the classic notion of a watermelon-basil salad by simply blending it all together, then adding sparkling mineral water for one of the most satisfying sippers you will ever taste.

And since the long weekend isn’t quite over yet, you’ve still got time to give this one a try.

Happy Memorial Day weekend, all! 🙂

I’m sending this recipe to Amy’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.

Refreshing Watermelon-Basil Cooler

This cool, refreshing beverage whips up in less than a minute, serving up a perfect blend of sweet with a surprise appearance of breezy basil for a great summer sipper.  The watermelon on its own provided enough sweetness for my taste, but if you prefer, add a few drops of plain or vanilla stevia.

Per Serving:

1-1/2 cups (240-360 ml) watermelon chunks, refrigerated or frozen

1-2 large leaves fresh basil

1 cup (240 ml) sparkling water (I liked lime or grapefruit Perrier with this–but even club soda works just fine)

Place the watermelon and basil in a blender and blend until liquid.

Add the sparkling water and stir very lightly (it will foam up quite a bit–careful not to overflow!).  Add ice cubes, if desired. Pour into serving glasses and savor the summer.

Note: We loved the basil in this drink. If you’re not quite sure how you feel about it, start with just one leaf, blend, then taste before adding the second leaf.

Suitable for: Anti-candida diet (ACD) Stage 3 and beyond; sugar-free; dairy-free; vegan; gluten-free; grain-free.

Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to RickiHeller.com via email. You’ll get recipes as soon as they’re posted, plus cookbook updates and news about upcoming events! (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”)

Last Year at this Time: Carob Fudge   (gluten free; ACD all stages)

Two Years Ago:  Creamy Pineapple-Mint Salad Dressing or Dip (gluten free; ACD stage 3 and beyond)

Three Years Ago: The Ultimate Slow Food: Lupini Beans with Garlic and Olive Oil (gluten free; ACD all stages)

Four Years Ago: Flash in the Pan: Cocoa Nibbles (“LaRaw” Bars) (gluten-free; ACD Maintenance)

© Ricki Heller

[Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission from the sale.]

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Filed Under: ACD Maintenance, ACD Stage Three, ACD Stage Two, anti candida diet, beverages, drinks, flash in the pan, fruit, gluten free, grain free, herbs, holidays, nut-free, party food, raw, recipes, snacks, Uncategorized, vegan Tagged: basil, beverage, cooler, dairy free, dessert, drink, easy, egg free, food allergies, food sensitivities, fruit, gluten free, grain free, healthy, holidays, parve, quick, raw, recipes, sugar free, summer drinks, sweet, vegan, vegetarian, watermelon, wheat-free

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie says

    May 27, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Sounds delish!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 5:06 pm

      Thanks, Angie! It was. 😉

      Reply
  2. Kim @ Welcoming Kitchen says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    Oh yum! It is so hot today here that this looks particularly inviting. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      I thought of your sherbet when I made this, Kim! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Gabby says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    You’re killing me Ricki! I meant to buy both basil and watermelon at the grocery store but I forgot! And now I want this. Not fair 😉

    Looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      I think you’ll be happy when you finally buy them. . . so easy, and SO refreshing. 🙂

      Reply
  4. glutenfreeforgood says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    I’ve been into watermelon drinks lately as well. I haven’t thought of adding basil to the mix! Sounds very refreshing. I’ve been doing lime, watermelon, and S. Pellegrino. Freezing the watermelon in chunks is a brilliant idea. Thanks for the inspiration. =)

    Melissa

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      Yours sounds very similar to this, except for the basil. It adds a little “je ne sais quoi” that really perks up the drink! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Andrea says

    May 27, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Too bad I didn’t see this yesterday when the sun was out.:) I’m SURE it will warm up eventually, right? And then a pitcher of this delicious drink will make its way to our new dining table on the deck and we’ll sip in the warm sunshine. Sigh. Very pretty photos!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 4:35 pm

      It wasn’t actually posted yet, yesterday! Sorry I missed the window of sunshine in Seattle. 😉 My hubby said he thought it would be great with vodka. . . you can add that to the pitcher. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Alta says

    May 27, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Ricki, I have WAY too much watermelon left over from our party yesterday. Will be making these!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      Alta, it’s a great way to use it! I always freeze leftover watermelon (if I think it won’t last in the fridge) so that I can use it in smoothies. . . and now, this! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Hallie @ Daily Bites says

    May 27, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    I’m speechless. This looks *so* refreshing and perfect for summer. Can’t wait to try it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      Thanks, Hallie! It really was a great, refreshing drink–and the watermelon was plenty sweet enough for us. The HH was joking that it would be perfect with vodka added, but honestly I think it would be better this way!

      Reply
  8. SunnyB @ andloveittoo says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    I cannot wait to try this, Ricki! This looks positively perfect.

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 27, 2012 at 9:58 pm

      Thanks, Sunny. It’s great for those hot days when you don’t have much energy. . . comes together pretty easily! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Hannah says

    May 28, 2012 at 5:49 am

    Oh, I love basil with watermelon in savoury salads! And I love mineral water. And I love summer.

    I have none of these things right now. Oh Ricki, you break my heart.

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      I think the best of that list is summer, no? But take comfort in the fact that our summer is like your winter (more or less), so we are probably enjoying (more or less) the same weather now! 😉

      Reply
      • Hannah says

        May 28, 2012 at 11:17 pm

        Don’t tell me that! 😉

        Reply
  10. Maggie says

    May 28, 2012 at 7:09 am

    What a fabulous idea! Can I borrow your brain for a few days to create some recipes 🙂 We have a Baby Shower at my Mom’s in June and this is going on the menu! xo

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 28, 2012 at 12:52 pm

      Ha ha!! Sometimes my brain feels like it needs a break from . . . my brain. 😉 I think this would be great at a shower–let me know what you think if you give it a try! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Johanna GGG says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:56 am

    this just looks so gorgeous – I blame your delicious photos for luring me into the watermelon love – though I confess I once tried watermelon in a drink and loved it – I have come far from hating the stuff! Your weekend sounds lovely – we have our last long weekend for 6 months in a few weeks – I can’t wait and I also dread the long stretch without holidays that follows!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 28, 2012 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks, Johanna! And I’m shocked that you don’t have a holiday for 6 months–we always read that Australia has the best holidays (6 weeks to start, or something?), while we over here in North America–Canada in particular–have the fewest statutory holidays of the entire Western World. Holiday or not, this is a great drink! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Heather says

    May 28, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Yummm Ricki! Love refreshing watermelon drinks in the summer. My fave is watermelon lemonade. Lucky you getting all the hot weather. Up north its COLD and RAINY for days now 🙁 If it doesnt stop Im coming to Toronto! lol

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 28, 2012 at 12:54 pm

      Sorry to hear about the weather over there. 🙁 I can relate, though–hate the rain. And now I have to try watermelon lemonade! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Sophie says

    May 30, 2012 at 3:43 am

    Now, this is what I call: a refreshing & good for you drink! So stylish too! 🙂
    I love watermelon a lot! Yum Yum Yum!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 30, 2012 at 8:16 am

      Thanks, Sophie! I love it fresh, too–but it’s great in this drink as well. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Alisa says

    May 30, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    I simply love, love, love making watermelon slushies. You MUST add strawberries to this blend though. The combination of watermelon + strawberry + basil is so good.

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm

      What a brilliant idea, Alisa!! I really MUST try it, you are right! Can’t wait–will let you know! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Kim (Cook It Allergy Free) says

    May 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Oh yes! Yes PLEASE!! That looks so incredibly refreshing. And your photos are just beautiful!! xo

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 30, 2012 at 9:00 pm

      Aw, thanks so much, Kim! 😀 It was soooo good on a really hot day. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Melaina says

    May 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    YUM! This looks so fresh and delicious, perfect for these hot summer days in Boulder, Colorado. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      May 30, 2012 at 9:00 pm

      Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment! Yes, it was great to beat the heat. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Shannon says

    June 11, 2012 at 9:46 pm

    totally refreshing!! can’t wait for my first watermelon 🙂

    Reply
  18. Jen A says

    June 26, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    This looks delightful. One question, my tummy is currently unable to handle fizzy, do you need the club soda for anything other than the fizz factor?

    Reply
    • Ricki says

      June 26, 2012 at 9:28 pm

      Jen, the club soda is exclusively for the fizz factor (love that phrase!)–and for the liquid it adds, of course. You could make this without, for sure. . .but of course it wouldn’t be quite as fizzy! 😉

      Reply
  19. teresa sotttile says

    July 20, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    wow just saw your chickpea fries cannot wait to try them I love fries healthy, not really. thanks for all your recipes and how fun you make your webpage, always get a chuckle,
    Teresa

    Reply
    • Ricki Heller says

      July 21, 2014 at 8:09 am

      Thanks so much, Teresa, I appreciate it! Glad you like the fries. And just to clarify, they are not fried–they’re baked, so they actually *are* healthy! 🙂

      Reply
  20. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    August 7, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Looks so delicious Ricki! Gotta pack in all these summer drinks into the last month of summer!

    Reply
    • Ricki Heller says

      August 7, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      I have to agree. . . (sob boo hoo)! But for now, I’ll just continue to enjoy the warmth/sunshine! 🙂

      Reply
  21. Lucy says

    August 7, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    The color on this is just gorgeous! It looks so refreshing!

    Reply
    • Ricki Heller says

      August 7, 2015 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks, Lucy! It’s one of my summer favorites. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Hi! I'm Ricki, cookbook author, professional recipe developer, holistic nutritionist and anti-candida crusader. Let me show you how easy it is to eat plant-based, sugar-free, gluten free food that tastes great!

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