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At 9 months pregnant in the dead of summer, watermelon is one of my biggest cravings! I got creative a few weeks ago with these 3-ingredient watermelon gummies, and can’t wait for the day I can have one of my frozen watermelon margaritas again. But for now, fresh watermelon sounds the best – and fresh watermelon happens to be the only ingredient in this watermelon shaved ice recipe. Just fresh watermelon, cut into spears, frozen solid, then shaved into a bowl. This healthy frozen treat couldn’t possibly get any easier (or more delicious)!

frozen watermelon spears on a baking sheet.

Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Shaved Ice

  • Only 2 ingredients – You don’t need any added sugar, syrups, or flavorings.
  • Naturally hydrating – Watermelon is over 90% water and rich in antioxidants like lycopene.
  • Perfect for summer – Cold, sweet, and incredibly refreshing.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free – Great for nearly every dietary preference.
  • Fun to make – Grating frozen watermelon turns it into a fluffy, icy treat that’s just as fun to prepare as it is to eat.

Can I Make This With Any Other Fruit?

Yes! This recipe works well with frozen mango, pineapple, or cantaloupe. Just make sure the fruit is firm enough to grate after freezing. Watermelon works especially well because of its high water content and natural sweetness, but feel free to experiment with other frozen fruits for different flavors and colors.

watermelon shaved ice in a small bowl with a spoon.

Recipe Variations and Toppings

  • Tajin or chili lime seasoning – Add a spicy, tangy twist!
  • Coconut milk drizzle – For a creamy, tropical flavor.
  • Fresh mint or basil – Chopped herbs elevate the flavor beautifully.
  • Fruit syrup or honey – Optional if you want it a little sweeter.
  • Top with berries or shredded coconut – Adds texture and color.
watermelon shaved ice in a small bowl with a sprig of fresh mint.
5 from 1 vote

Viral Watermelon Shaved Ice

This viral watermelon shaved ice is the ultimate healthy summer treat made with just frozen watermelon and a splash of fresh lime juice! It’s refreshing, naturally sweet, and perfect for hot days when you want something light and hydrating. This easy 1-ingredient recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in minutes – no ice cream maker needed!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 cheese grater

Ingredients

  • 1 whole watermelon
  • fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  • Cut the watermelon into spears, then freeze the spears for at least 2 hours.
  • Once the watermelon is frozen solid, use a cheese grater to shave the watermelon into a bowl. Top the shaved watermelon with fresh lime juice.

These watermelon margaritas will be your new favorite summertime cocktail! With just three ingredients and a blender, you’ll have the most delicious and refreshing frozen drink. Frozen watermelon, lime juice, and a splash (or two) of good quality tequila come together to make this best-ever, easy summer cocktail!

two frozen watermelon margaritas with limes on the side.

I’m a BIG margarita girl, we know this by now. I absolutely gushed over my love for margaritas in my Skinny Blackberry Margarita post, so I’ll spare you from all of that this time around. Though what I will say is that this particular margarita recipe includes my all-time favorite summer fruit – WATERMELON. I’ve honestly never met anyone who ever had a bad thing to say about watermelon. It’s naturally oh-so sweet, crazy refreshing, and is really only available in the warmer months, making it all the more special. I plan on enjoying a lot, and I mean A LOT of this coveted fruit over the next few months. And there’s nothing anyone can do to stop me! You know what I also plan on enjoying a lot of this summer? These watermelon margaritas.

Your typical margarita has its fair share of added sugars. Though thanks to watermelons natural sweetness, this refreshing cocktail has NO added sugar! And like I mentioned before it only requires three ingredients (plus ice). Which means it’s the easiest and healthiest alcoholic beverage of all time. That’s right – of. all. time. I highly recommend you blend up a batch of these watermelon margaritas for your next summer barbecue or party. Maybe even for the 4th of July, perhaps?! This recipe yields about 4 margaritas, but can easily be doubled or even tripled if you’d like. Cheers to SUMMER and cheers to WATERMELON MARGARITAS!

overhead image of two frozen watermelon margaritas

What You Need To Make Watermelon Margaritas

Frozen Watermelon – To freeze watermelon, start by slicing it into 1 to 2-inch chunks. Need help slicing your watermelon? Check our my How to Cut a Watermelon blog post! Then, transfer the chunks to a parchment lined baking sheet, in a single layer, and place in the freezer. Freeze the watermelon for at least 2 hours or until frozen solid. Once frozen, you can go straight into using it in this recipe, or transfer to an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months!

Now, let’s backtrack for a second. There are a few things you want to look for when picking out your watermelon. A perfectly ripe and ready to slice watermelon will have a decently-sized yellow spot where it once laid on the ground right before it was picked. If that spot is more white than yellow, it’s not ripe – the more yellow it is, the better. Another thing to check for when looking for a ripe watermelon is the sound. Pick up the watermelon and give it a few taps. If it sounds deeply hollow that means it’s exploding with juicy flavor and is ready to enjoy!

Tequila – A good quality tequila will make all the difference in the enjoyment and smoothness of these watermelon margaritas. I highly recommend a blanco silver tequila, which is most often used in margarita recipes. I use and love Don Julio tequila for its smoother taste, without being outrageously priced.

Lime Juice – Fresh is always best, though bottled lime juice would also work in this recipe! The lime juice gives this cocktail its signature taste while also bringing out the freshness of the watermelon. If you’re feeling fancy, save a few lime slices to garnish your drinks with!

Make it a Mocktail

  • Replace the tequila with 1/4 cup of water for an alcohol-free, refreshing watermelon margarita mocktail!
frozen watermelon margaritas in two glasses with a watermelon slice on the rim.
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Watermelon Margaritas (just THREE ingredients!)

These watermelon margaritas will be your new favorite summertime cocktail! With just three ingredients and a blender, you’ll have the most delicious and refreshing frozen drink. Frozen watermelon, lime juice, and a splash (or two) of good quality tequila come together to make this best-ever, easy summer cocktail!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen watermelon, see Notes
  • 1/2 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1 cup ice

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until no chunks of watermelon or ice remain.

Notes

  • Frozen Watermelon: To freeze watermelon, cut a fresh watermelon into chunks and then spread into an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Transfer baking sheet to the freezer for 2-3 hours or until watermelon is frozen solid.
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

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