This post is sponsored by The National Watermelon Board However, all opinions, ideas and enthusiasm are completely my own.

Cheers to watermelon, it’s my favorite fruit to eat . . . and drink! I love watermelon anywhere and any time of year. With the last long weekend of summer approaching, I’m sharing some Healthy Watermelon Drinks for the Active & Adventurous to keep you hydrated weather you’re tubing down a river on Labor Day or on a swishing down a mountain later this winter.

This watermelon drink round-up includes a brand-new addition for your enjoyment – Watermelon Apple Cinnamon Switchel.  Read on to get all the juicy, good news about drinking watermelon and, the back story on making the Switchel (the flavors were picked by YOU), and, of course, my yummy watermelon recipes mixed up with whole food goodness and a sprinkle of my “living on the wedge” craziness.

The situation: I wanted to create a new watermelon drink recipe, but needed flavor pairing inspo. In the past, I’ve paired watermelon with all sorts of ingredients, including cherry juice, beet juice, coconut water, limeade, lemonade, turmeric, collagen, yogurt, and more. Feeling the need for a fall-inspired flavor combo, so I put out an IG story and had y’all vote “Orange” or “Apple”.

Personally, I was strongly leaning “Orange” but the public voted “Apple,” with a pretty good lead at that! So, while I will do an orange watermelon recipe soon, today’s share is Watermelon Apple Cinnamon Switchel . . . and apparently, you all have some good instincts, because it is super yummy!

If you are wondering what the heck a switchel is, let me tell you! It’s one of the OGs of non-alcoholic, fermented drinks, and was quite popular in the 17^th century. The traditional switchel is a pungent mix-up of water and vinegar, seasoned with ginger and sweetened with molasses, honey or other such syrupy things. My version comes to you naturally sweet thanks to watermelon juice and apple juice (no other sweeteners needed) and is spiced with cinnamon. Apple cider vinegar provides the fermented benefits. Make sure you are using an apple cider vinegar “with the mother” (one brand is Bragg’s) – the “mother” provides strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give it some pretty amazing powers.  

Watermelon Apple Cinnamon Switchel  is like Mother Nature’s sports & recovery drink (even collegiate sports teams are drinking switchel), providing natural sugars from the fruit juice for quick energy along with possible reductions in cramping from the apple cider vinegar and anti-inflammatory benefits from cinnamon. Plus, research shows the l-citrulline (an amino acid) found in watermelon may just help improve performance and decrease post-workout soreness. As a 50 plus year-old runner, obstacle course racer, and strength & fitness competitor, now you know why I am juiced up with watermelon!

A 12-ounce serving of my Watermelon Apple Cinnamon Switchel has 77 calories, 19g carbohydrate (natural sugars from fruit for energy) and is a good source of potassium, sodium, manganese, iron, and vitamins A, C & B-6.  Jump down to the bottom of the post to get the full recipe or pin for later.

Lol, this recent Instagram convo, shows you just how much of a watermelon nerd I am as I proselytized about the benefits for endurance athletes. I didn’t even get his joke, until the end . . . that’s just how serious I am about watermelon. It’s a MUST READ for a 30-second 101 on the benefits of watermelon for athletes . . . as well as a good laugh.

OTHER WATERMELON DRINKS FOR THE ACTIVE AND ADVENTUROUS

Watermelon Juice Straight Up. If you have extra bucks to blow, you CAN buy fancy, fresh cold-pressed watermelon juices, but I prefer to salvage to “run off” at the bottom of my storage container after I cut up watermelon. Or, if I need watermelon juice STAT, I put chunks in the blender and then strain off pulp. Get the video how-to HERE.

Watermelon Ginger Limeade  – The zingy ginger takes the edge off the slightly queasy feeling I get after a hard run in the late summer / early fall Texas weather, plus the watermelon juice rehydrates me like nothing else!

Hot Spiced Watermelon Lemonade with Collagen – I love this drink cooler fall and winter days, I get all of the benefits of watermelon but also with some collagen to pamper my joints (and add a boost of protein for recovery) and turmeric for some anti-inflammatory relief.

save 10% Great Lakes Wellness collagen and products with code THEFITFORK10off

Watermelon Chia Seed Smoothie – Packed with a meal’s worth of protein and a smattering of heart-healthy fats from the chia seeds, this smoothie can be made with your choice of milk.  It’s a great option when you have to eat and run!

Watermelon and Fruit Infused Water — Just load up your glass with watermelon cubes and other fruit of choice and fill up with filtered or sparkling water and enjoy that refreshing GOODNESS! Tip – freeze fruit and skip the ice cubes.

Watermelon Beet Chia Shot Blocks – I couldn’t help but include these little yummy, effective gels in the roundup even though not technical a watermelon beverage. But, still, they are so perfect for fueling and refueling while your out there grinding out the miles. Watermelon + Beet Juice is like magic for turbo charging performance in my book.

Visit my friends at Watermelon.org to find lots of other flavorful, functional watermelon beverages.

What are you drinking to fuel your runs, workouts and recovery? Do you eat watermelon (or drink) year-round, or is it just a summer fruit to you? Any big events coming up? I’d love to hear about them – please share in the comments, XOXO Jennifer

Print

Watermelon Apple Cinnamon Switchel

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

A refreshing wateremelon drink with anti-inflammatory benefits from cinnamon and all sorts of health perks from fermented apple cider vinegar.

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 77 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups watermelon cubes
• 1/2 cup 100% apple juice, cold pressed if available
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar "with the mother" like Bragg's brand
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to blender and process until smooth. Pour through fine mesh strainer to remove pulp. Makes two 12-ounce servings.

Recipe Notes