What to Drink in a Heatwave: A Watermelon & Mint Cooler
When the UK hits record heat, the best thing to drink is something cold, sharp and not too sweet, and this watermelon and mint cooler is exactly that. It's built on fresh sparkling water, blended watermelon, a good squeeze of lime and a few bruised mint leaves over plenty of ice.
A quick, sensible note first, because we're not going to pretend otherwise: in proper heat, plain water is doing the heavy lifting. Sip steadily through the day, keep out of the midday sun, and treat this cooler as the glass that makes hydration something you can look forward to. Watermelon is roughly 92% water, so it's a useful way to top up while you're at it.
Now, the good part.
The story
Watermelon and mint is one of those pairings that pairs perfectly. The watermelon brings sweetness and body, the mint keeps it fresh, and the lime stops the whole thing tipping into sickly. On a normal summer day it's lovely. In a heatwave, with the bubbles cutting through the heat, it's the drink you'll keep going back to the fridge for.
You'll need
Makes 2 tall glasses.
- 300ml CO2 YOU sparkling water, freshly carbonated
- 300g fresh watermelon, cubed (roughly a quarter of a small melon), plus a wedge to garnish
- Juice of 1 lime
- 8–10 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig per glass
- A big handful of ice
- Optional: a tiny pinch of sea salt, which lifts the watermelon and replaces a little of what you sweat out in the heat
Method
- Blend the watermelon cubes until smooth, then pass through a sieve into a jug if you'd rather skip the pulp. For a more rustic cooler, mash the watermelon with a fork and leave it as is.
- Add the lime juice to the watermelon and stir. Drop in the pinch of salt now if you're using it.
- Press the mint leaves gently against the side of each glass with the back of a spoon to bruise them and release the oils. Don't shred them, just wake them up.
- Fill each glass to the top with ice and pour the watermelon and lime mix over, dividing it between the two.
- Carbonate your water using The Bubbla, and pour it slowly down the inside of the glass so you keep as much carbonation as possible.
- One gentle stir, a wedge of watermelon and a sprig of mint to finish. Drink immediately, ideally in the shade.
Make it yours
Swap the lime for lemon if that's what's in the bowl, or add a few thin slices of cucumber with the ice for something even more cooling. Want it a touch sweeter? A small drizzle of honey or agave stirred into the watermelon does it without reaching for sugar. And if you're building a grown-up version for a long evening in the garden, a measure of gin or a white rum slots in beautifully, though the cooler is genuinely good with none at all. Our round-up of favourite sparkling water cocktails has more ideas if you want to keep going.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to drink in a heatwave?
Plain water is still the best thing to drink in a heatwave, sipped steadily throughout the day. To make hydration more appealing, build it into something cold and low in sugar, like this watermelon and mint cooler made with sparkling water. Water-rich fruit such as watermelon (around 92% water) helps top up your fluids at the same time.
Is sparkling water good for hydration in hot weather?
Yes. Sparkling water hydrates you in the same way as still water, because the only difference is dissolved carbon dioxide, which doesn't change how your body absorbs the fluid. In hot weather it counts towards your daily intake just like still water, so if the bubbles mean you drink more of it, that's a win.
Can I make this watermelon cooler ahead of time?
You can blend the watermelon, lime and mint base a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the sparkling water and ice only when you're ready to serve, though, because carbonation fades over time and you want the cooler at its sharpest in the glass.
Do I need a sparkling water machine to make it?
No, any chilled sparkling water works. It's better with freshly carbonated water though, because you control the strength of the bubble and it's brighter than water that's been sitting in an open bottle. Making it at home with The Bubbla also saves hauling bottles back from the shop in the heat.
Make it at home with CO2 YOU. Fresh sparkling water, carbonated to the strength you like, ready in seconds, no electricity and no lugging bottles home in the sun.
