Watermelon Pineapple Smoothie

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

This watermelon pineapple smoothie is the perfect ice-cold refreshment on a hot summer day. The fruits used have a really high water content and make the smoothie extra hydrating. The best part is that it's made with fruits only, no milk needed.

Jump to:

Why you'll love this recipe
How to make a smoothie without milk
Key ingredients and substitutions
Elo's tips
Step-by-step (with pictures)
Watch the video!
Frequently asked question
The recipe

This pineapple strawberry watermelon smoothie is one of our favorite tropical smoothies. It has a thin consistency, almost like a fruit juice.

You may also like this mild green juice made in a blender. I've cracked the code to the perfect combination of fruits and vegetables that make this green juice very easy to drink.

Why you'll love this recipe

This smoothie recipe provides 3 servings of fresh fruit for the day. Did you know that pineapple has a similar vitamin C content to oranges?
It makes a healthy snack with no added sugars. You can drink it on its one or pair it with a vegan lemon muffin or no-bake lemon cookies.
It's a great way to use up leftover watermelons.
You can make this smoothie for large groups since pineapple and watermelon both yield a lot of fruits.

How to make a smoothie without milk

Use fruits (and vegetables with high water content (e.g., watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, peaches, cucumber) in addition to one of the following liquids:

Water is great to liquify smoothies without masking the other flavors. A little goes a long way.
Coconut water has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. One cup only contains 60 calories and is high in nutrients. Avoid brands with added sugar, sweeteners or gums.
Citrus juices add a zingy twist to your smoothies. Orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice work great alone or in combination with each other.
Coconut cream is the solid part of full-fat coconut milk. It's high in fat and makes your smoothies extra creamy. Note that it has an intense coconut flavor.
Plant-based milk alternatives such as coconut milk or almond milk are perfect to make velvety smoothies.

Elo's tips: If you want to make a creamy smoothie without milk you can blend your fruits (and veggies) with cashews or nut butters of any kind.

Key ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients in small bowls with descriptive labels.

Fresh pineapple is the base of this smoothie. Combined with watermelon and coconut water it provides a tropical flavor that will project onto a white-sand beach right away.

Seedless watermelon adds a subtle flavor and lots of water to your smoothie. You could also use regular watermelon and strain the smoothie after blending to remove and seed bits. The best substitute for watermelon is peeled cucumber (you won' taste it).

Strawberries add natural sweetness and body to the smoothie. You can replace them with raspberries. Plus, they turn the smoothies into a vibrant pink drink that spreads good vibes.

Lime juice balances out the flavors and adds a zesty touch. You can add both the juice and the zest if you'd like.

Coconut water makes the smoothie extra hydrating. You can easily replace it with water.

Elo's tips

Freeze your watermelon cubes before adding them to the smoothie. They will act as ice cubes and make your smoothie ice-cold without diluting it further.
Use frozen strawberries if you prefer a thicker consistency.
Enjoy the smoothie right after preparing to prevent to fruit and the liquid from separating.
Freeze this pineapple watermelon smoothie into popsicles. They make a healthy snack during summer.

Step-by-step (with pictures)

STEP 1: Cut the fruits. Remove the peel/rind of the pineapple and watermelon. Then cut them into 1-inch (2,5 cm) cubes. Wash the strawberries and cut off the tops.

STEP 2: Pour the coconut water and lime juice into the bowl of a high-speed blender. If making only 1 or 2 servings you can also use a small blender (e.g., Nutribullet). Adding the liquid first prevents the blade from getting damaged.

STEP 3: Add the fruits to a blender. Start by adding the watermelon, then the pineapple chunks and fresh or frozen strawberries.

STEP 4: Blend until perfectly smooth. Serve right away.

Elo's equipment: This KitchenAid blender is the one I use and LOVE. It makes the smoothest smoothies and sauces. Plus it's powerful enough to make homemade nut butter.

Watch the video!

Frequently asked question

Can you make a smoothie without milk?

The definition of a smoothie is a blend of a solid base and a liquid. It can but doesn't have to be milk. Contrary to milkshakes, smoothies do not have to be dairy-based.

Can watermelon be frozen for smoothies?

Yes, it can and we highly recommend it! It makes your smoothie ice-cold without having to add ice cubes.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

While you could theoretically use canned pineapple to make this smoothie, you're losing the benefits of fresh fruits. Canned pineapple is high in sugar and will make your smoothie overly sweet. I'd recommend using another fruit, such as cantaloupe instead of fresh pineapple.

Don’t forget to join the Cooking With Elo newsletter. You’ll get gluten-free and vegan dinner ideas sent right to your inbox.

The recipe