10 Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Watermelon this Summer

Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho

Hot, summer days call for chilled soups, and while most gazpacho recipes are typically prepared using tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, bread, jalapeños, and chopped onion, we decided to swap the tomatoes for watermelon.

Recipe: Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Make your traditional watermelon salad into a main dish by adding orzo.

Recipe: Crunchy Jerk Tacos with Watermelon-Mango Salsa

Serve this incredibly flavorful salsa with chips as an appetizer, or use it top your favorite grilled meats and seafood.

Recipe: Watermelon-Tomato Cooler

Think of this fun cocktail as a sweeter, fruity take on a Bloody Mary. We combined tomatoes and watermelon with cucumbers, a jalapeño chile, and a splash of lime juice to make a deliciously fresh new drink that’s perfect for the summer months.

Recipe: Watermelon-Peach Salsa and Tomatoes

Our three favorite flavors of summer, watermelon, peach, and tomato, come together in this tasty salsa. Serve it alone, with chips, or as a topping for grilled meats and seafood.

Recipe: Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

A glass of tangy, sweet lemonade is an old-fashioned Southern standby, but it could use an update. For an icy, pink-tinted drink that’s made for the shade, we experimented here, elevating the summertime favorite by adding a splash of vodka and watermelon juice.

Recipe: Watermelon-Lime Pops with Chile Dipping Salt

Instead of heading to the frozen foods aisle to buy those sticky-sweet ice pops, you can make your own hand-held, fruity treat. This recipe uses fresh and unexpected ingredients to create a mouthwatering sweet and salty flavor.

Recipe: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Use leftover watermelon to add sweet flavor and fun color to this lime drink. If you like your watermelon with a sprinkle of salt, try this cocktail with a salt rim instead of sugar.

Recipe: Tomato, Watermelon, and Feta Skewers with Mint and Lime

For an alternative way to use this recipe, gently toss all the ingredients together and serve this dish as a side salad or a fresh relish for grilled meats.

Recipe: Watermelon Smoothies

The only thing better than eating fresh watermelon is slurping a chilled version through a straw on a hot summer day. Plus, it’s a delicious way to use up that surplus of melon.