A watermelon smoothie is a lifesaver on the hottest days: watermelon is roughly 90% water, so the smoothie comes out light and genuinely thirst-quenching rather than heavy, unlike many banana- or yogurt-based blends.

The trick to getting the flavor right is balancing sweet and tart. Ripe watermelon is usually sweet enough on its own, but a splash of lime juice and a pinch of salt make the flavor pop and keep the drink from tasting flat or one-note. Mint adds a cooling edge that feels especially good in the heat.

You don’t have to add ice cubes if you’d rather freeze the watermelon cubes ahead of time — that gives a thicker texture without diluting the flavor as the ice melts. If you go that route, just skip the ice called for in the recipe.

This smoothie is best served immediately: watermelon juice separates quickly, and the drink loses its smooth texture if it sits for more than 15-20 minutes. It pairs nicely with light summer snacks, or works perfectly well on its own as a cooling drink on the porch on a hot afternoon.