Watermelon Milkshake with the Ninja Slushi

Ideal in hot weather, this milkshake makes the most of the watermelon’s high water content for a light, very refreshing frozen drink. In a blender with ice cubes it always came out too diluted; the Ninja Slushi keeps the body of the milk while letting the fruity freshness through. You get a finely frosted texture, drinkable through a straw, that quenches thirst without weighing you down.

Watermelon Milkshake with the Ninja Slushi

Recipe by Camille Roos

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: MilkshakeCuisine: Difficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

10

minutes

Freeze time

30

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

A light and fruity milkshake, churned to perfection for a refreshing summer break, without any dilution.

Ingredients

• 600 g watermelon flesh (seedless)

• 400 ml milk (whole or plant-based)

• 50 ml agave syrup (or honey)

Instructions

• Blend the watermelon flesh or use an immersion blender to obtain a very smooth and liquid puree. The Ninja Slushi churns but does not blend, so the preparation must be fluid from the start.
• Add the milk and agave syrup to the watermelon puree, then mix vigorously until you get a homogeneous preparation. Cold temperatures diminish the perception of sweetness, and the syrup prevents the formation of an ice block.
• Pour the mixture into the Ninja Slushi bowl, making sure you are between the min and max marks.
• Select the Milkshake program and let the machine churn. Serve immediately as soon as the texture becomes creamy and drinkable through a straw.

100% fruit granita version

100% fruit granita version : Omit the milk, use only the watermelon puree with a splash of lemon juice, and start the Slush or Frozen Juice program.

Why I insist on agave syrup

In water-rich preparations like watermelon, we are often tempted to skip the sugar. That’s a classic mistake! In the Ninja Slushi, sugar acts as a natural antifreeze. Without this small dose of agave syrup (or honey), your drink risks freezing into a single hard block that will jam the paddle. I tested reducing it to the maximum: the result was impossible to serve with a straw. The syrup guarantees that soft and fluid texture specific to a milkshake. If you are worried about sugar, know that it is technically essential, but easily balanced with light or plant-based milk. To vary your dairy pleasures, also take a look at my vanilla milkshake with the Ninja Slushi recipe to master the perfect base.

The trap of watermelon fibers

One thing to remember with your appliance: it does not blend, it only cools and churns. If you put pieces of watermelon into the bowl, they will come out whole! That’s why I always use an immersion blender beforehand. I advise you to lightly strain your puree if your watermelon is particularly stringy or full of small white seeds. Having a perfectly smooth base liquid is the secret for an enjoyable tasting. If needed, I add a small splash of water during blending if the flesh lacks a bit of juice, just to have the right fluidity before putting it in the machine. The milk will do the rest to bring the indulgence. By the way, if you have some overripe bananas lying around, try my banana milkshake with the Ninja Slushi one day using the same program; the cold consistency is divine.

What type of milk (cow, almond, oat) do you prefer to use for your summer milkshakes?

Frequently asked questions

My watermelon milkshake is too hard and the Ninja Slushi is beeping, why?

This is often a sign of a lack of sugar. Since watermelon is composed of a lot of water, without the addition of agave syrup, it freezes into a solid block that jams the churning paddle.

Can I use almond or oat milk?

Yes, plant-based milks work very well on the Milkshake program. Oat milk often brings a natural roundness that is very pleasant with watermelon.

Can I keep the watermelon seeds?

I advise you to remove them or pass everything through a fine sieve after blending. The Ninja Slushi will not grind the seeds, and they will interfere with drinking through a straw.