When you’re craving something cold, refreshing, and hydrating, but don’t want all the sugar from a typical sorbet, make this hydrating 3-ingredient watermelon sorbet. I love using my Ninja CREAMi for watermelon sorbet because it creates the perfect texture, and you can control exactly what goes in it. No added sugar or syrups—just 3 main ingredients (fresh watermelon, coconut milk or water, and lemon juice) plus a few optional extras to help you stay hydrated.
Why This Watermelon Sorbet Recipe is the Best
1. Simple, Real Ingredients
This sorbet is made with fresh watermelon, coconut milk, lemon juice, and sweetener of your choice. That’s it! No gums, stabilizers, or junk you don’t need.
2. Hydrating and Refreshing
Between the watermelon and optional electrolytes, this is a perfect post-workout or hot weather treat. It tastes like a dessert but helps you rehydrate.
3. Only 30 Calories Per Serving
Depending on your sweetener and milk choice, each serving of this sorbet is only around 30 calories—so you can enjoy a big bowl totally guilt-free.
Ingredients Breakdown
Fresh Watermelon
Watermelon is naturally sweet, hydrating, and packed with electrolytes like potassium. Make sure to use seedless watermelon for easier blending.
Coconut Milk (or Coconut Water or Milk of Choice)
Coconut milk gives the sorbet a slightly creamy texture while keeping it hydrating and dairy-free. You can also use coconut water or any milk you like.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice balances out the sweetness and brightens the flavor. Just a little bit makes a big difference.
Watermelon-Flavored Electrolyte Packets (Optional)
This is where the extra hydration boost comes in. Using a watermelon electrolyte packet adds flavor and extra electrolytes, perfect for hot summer days.
Sweetener to Taste
Depending on how sweet your watermelon is, you might not need any sweetener at all. You can taste the mixture before freezing, and add monk fruit, allulose, or a touch of cane sugar if needed.
How to Make Hydrating Watermelon Sorbet
1. Blend the base
In a blender, combine fresh watermelon chunks, coconut milk, lemon juice, watermelon electrolyte packets (optional), and sweetener to taste. Blend until completely smooth.
2. Freeze the mixture
Pour the blended mixture into your Ninja CREAMi pint container. Freeze for at least 12-24 hours or until solid.
3. Process in the CREAMi
Once frozen, take the container out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Then process using the “Sorbet” function.
4. Re-spin if needed
If the texture is crumbly after the first spin (this can happen with fruit-based recipes), add 1–2 tablespoons of extra coconut milk and respin a couple more times if needed.
5. Serve and enjoy
Scoop into a bowl and enjoy immediately!
Tips for Success
1. Taste Your Watermelon First
Some watermelons are sweeter than others. Taste your mixture before adding sweetener so you can adjust as needed.
2. Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice
Even though it’s just one tablespoon, the lemon juice helps brighten the flavor and prevents the sorbet from tasting flat.
3. Re-Spin or Blend as Needed
Fruit-based sorbets often need one respin/blend for the smoothest texture.
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Hydrating Watermelon Sorbet Variations
1. Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet
Add 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries to the blend for a strawberry watermelon twist.
2. Coconut Lime Watermelon Sorbet
Swap the lemon juice for lime juice and use full-fat coconut milk for a tropical flavor.
3. Electrolyte Popsicles
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds instead of a CREAMi pint container for easy grab-and-go freezer pops.
FAQs
Yes! You can freeze the blended mixture in ice cube trays and then process the frozen cubes in a high-speed blender. It won’t be exactly the same texture as the CREAMi, but still delicious.
Nope! The electrolyte packets are totally optional. They’re a fun way to add extra flavor and hydration, but the recipe works just fine without them.
Adding sweetener is option, as usually the watermelon alone provides enough sweetness. If needed, monk fruit or allulose can be used for a low-carb option, but if you don’t mind natural sugar, a touch of honey or cane sugar works too.
Try This Hydrating Watermelon Sorbet!
If you make this recipe, let me know how it turns out! Leave a rating and comment below, and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations. This is one of my favorite ways to stay cool and hydrated in the summer—I hope you love it too.
XO,
Sarah
Hydrating Watermelon Sorbet
Want to save this recipe?
I’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later! -Sarah
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh watermelon chunks
- ½ cup coconut milk coconut water, or milk of choice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 watermelon flavored electrolyte packet optional
- sweetener to taste optional
Instructions
- Blend the base: In a blender, combine the watermelon chunks, coconut milk, lemon juice, electrolyte packet (if using), and sweetener to taste.
- Freeze the mixture: Pour into a Ninja CREAMi pint container and freeze for at least 12-24 hours.
- Creami process: After freezing, process in the Ninja CREAMi using the "Sorbet" function.
- Re-spin if needed: If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tbsp extra coconut milk and respin.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop into a bowl and enjoy immediately for a soft-serve sorbet texture.
So refreshing and perfect for summer!