Creamy Watermelon-Yogurt Recipe (Popsicle & Smoothie)

Summer is here, and it calls for refreshing slushies, ice creams, smoothies, and popsicles. Do you have a pool party or is it just another day of your kids or niece and nephews pestering you for ice cream?

Whatever the reason, you can quickly whip up a popsicle mixture and freeze it to make popsicles and bring a smile to everyone’s faces. The best part about our recipe here is that you can either consume it as a smoothie or freeze it into a popsicle. Win-win!

You’ll need easily available ingredients and a recipe that isn’t a mess and doesn’t make you look like one after you are done making it. We bring you a watermelon yogurt recipe that requires only four ingredients and doesn’t ask for much effort.

Watermelon-Yogurt Popsicle & Smoothie Recipe

Watermelon is a rich source of water that can keep you hydrated. It has cooling properties and contains lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to prevent infections. (1)

Yogurt improves your skin and protects it from sun damage. It may also help you lose weight. (2) So, if you are planning on wearing that super hot bikini you bought to the beach this summer, you know what to do!

Eating bananas during summer is the best way to keep acidity at bay. They are an excellent antidote for acid reflux and are great for snacking purposes. (3)

Mint is a naturally soothing herb that can alleviate inflammation and is a traditional cure for digestive problems such as gas formation, indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. (4)

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and make this healthy, nutritious, and absolutely refreshing popsicle or smoothie to beat the heat!

Things you’ll need:

• Watermelon chunks, seeds removed - 1 ½ cup
• Banana, chopped - 1 small
• Greek yogurt - ¾ cup
• Mint leaves - a handful

Step 1. Combine all the four ingredients in a blender

• Put 1 ½ cup watermelon chunks into a blender and add 1 full small chopped banana into it.
• Add a handful of mint leaves to the blender.
• Drop a ¾ cup of Greek yogurt into the blender.

Step 2. Blend and pour the mixture into a popsicle mold or mason jar

• Run the blender until all the ingredients are well combined into a smooth blend.
• Pour the blend into a popsicle mold, filling it up to the brim and freeze the filled popsicle mold.
• If you are in a rush, you can consume this smoothie mix without freezing as well.

• Remove the popsicle after 6 to 10 hours of freezing and relish a refreshing watermelon yogurt popsicle.

• Alternatively, you can add some crushed ice to a mason jar.
• Serve your healthy watermelon yogurt smoothie and enjoy.

Tips to keep in mind

• If you want to make the ice cream more quickly, you can buy a cubed watermelon.
• You don’t have to worry about the white seeds in the watermelon. They can be left in.
• You can add strawberries or blueberries or any other fruit of your choice.
• You can get some honey and cinnamon to enhance the taste.
• You can skip the banana and yogurt to make a refreshing drink or a mixture that is ready to turn into a frozen cocktail.

Resources:

1. Naz A, Butt MS, Sultan MT, Qayyum MMN, Niaz RS. Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims. EXCLI journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26417290. Published June 3, 2014.
2. El-Abbadi NH, Dao MC, Meydani SN. Yogurt: role in healthy and active aging. The American journal of clinical nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24695886. Published May 2014.
3. Singh B, Singh JP, Kaur A, Singh N. Bioactive compounds in banana and their associated health benefits - A review. Food chemistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27041291. Published September 1, 2016.
4. Mikaili P, Mojaverrostami S, Moloudizargari M, Aghajanshakeri S. Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Mentha Longifolia L. and its main constituent, menthol. The ancient science of life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4171855/. Published 2013.