Why Do People Put Watermelon in Water? Answering This Refreshing Trend

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional experts, watermelon is over 90% water, making it a powerful hydrating fruit. This high water content is a primary reason people put watermelon in water, as it creates a naturally flavored and nutrient-rich beverage that is perfect for hot days and enhanced health benefits.

Quick Summary

This article explores the historical and modern reasons for adding watermelon to water, including making infused water, traditional cooling techniques, and the nutritional benefits. It details how the fruit imparts flavor and antioxidants while promoting better hydration and digestion. Comparisons are made between homemade and commercial beverages.

Key Points

Traditional Cooling: Soaking an entire watermelon in cool water, like a stream, is a classic method for chilling the fruit without refrigeration, a practice seen in various cultures.
Infused Water Benefits: Adding watermelon chunks to water creates a naturally flavored beverage, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, that encourages increased water consumption and hydration.
Flavor Enhancement: Watermelon imparts a natural sweetness to water, making it a more appealing and delicious drink compared to plain water, without the need for artificial additives.
Nutrient Boost: The infused water carries beneficial nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and citrulline, which aid in hydration and muscle recovery.
A Healthier Alternative: DIY watermelon-infused water is a clean, low-calorie alternative to sugary sodas and sports drinks, offering hydration and nutritional benefits without artificial ingredients.
Digestive Support: The combination of water and watermelon's fiber content can promote better digestion and regularity.
Customizable Flavor: You can easily customize the flavor by adding other ingredients like mint, cucumber, or lime, creating endless variations of your infused water.

Traditional Cooling and Infused Water

Historically, the practice of putting a whole watermelon in a body of cool, natural water, like a stream, was a practical way to chill the fruit before refrigeration. This traditional cooling method is still used in some regions during outdoor activities like camping. The cold water gradually cools the entire melon, making it a refreshingly cold treat to be cut and enjoyed later. This simple, low-tech method was highly effective and is a charming cultural practice in places like Japan.

Beyond just chilling, adding chunks of watermelon to a pitcher of water creates a delicious and nutrient-rich beverage known as infused water or agua fresca. This is perhaps the most common modern reason people put watermelon in water. The process is simple: fresh fruit and herbs are added to a container of water and left to steep for a period of time, allowing the flavors to meld. The result is a naturally sweet and refreshing drink without the need for added sugars or artificial flavors found in many commercial beverages. This is a fantastic way to make plain water more appealing and to increase your daily water intake.

Health Benefits of Watermelon-Infused Water

Infusing water with watermelon is a simple way to gain a number of nutritional advantages. The fruit's high water content and natural electrolytes, such as magnesium and potassium, contribute to better hydration, especially after exercise. The infusion process allows some of these beneficial compounds to enter the water, creating a subtly flavored, low-calorie drink. The benefits extend to digestive health, weight management, and skin health, thanks to the vitamins and antioxidants present in the fruit.

Enhances Hydration: Watermelon contains more than 90% water and valuable electrolytes, making infused water an excellent choice for replenishing fluids lost through sweating.
Rich in Antioxidants: The red flesh of watermelon is packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for its heart-health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aids Digestion: Watermelon's fiber and high water content can help regulate bowel movements and promote good gut health.
Supports Muscle Recovery: The amino acid citrulline, found in watermelon, can help reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
Boosts Flavor: It adds a naturally sweet and refreshing taste to water, encouraging people who dislike plain water to stay hydrated.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Infused Water

While many companies sell flavored or enhanced water, making your own infused water at home has distinct advantages. Here is a comparison of homemade watermelon water versus commercial brands:


Feature	Homemade Watermelon Water	Store-Bought Watermelon Water
Ingredients	Fresh watermelon, water, and optional herbs like mint or basil.	Water, added sugars, artificial colors, and artificial flavors are common.
Cost	Much more cost-effective, using seasonal fruit and tap water.	Significantly higher price per serving for bottled drinks.
Nutritional Value	Preserves vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with no added sugars.	Nutrient content can be compromised by processing and additives.
Customization	Full control over flavor combinations and strength.	Limited to pre-set flavor profiles offered by the brand.
Environmental Impact	Reduces plastic waste from single-use bottles.	Contributes to plastic consumption and waste.

How to Make Your Own Watermelon Infused Water

Creating your own infused water is easy and allows for complete customization. Here's a simple recipe:

Gather Ingredients: You will need fresh, cubed watermelon, water, and optional additions like fresh mint or sliced cucumber.
Combine: Place the fruit and herbs in a pitcher or water bottle.
Infuse: Fill the container with cold water and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or for more flavor, leave it overnight.
Enjoy: Serve over ice and enjoy a naturally refreshing drink. The watermelon flavor will become more pronounced the longer it infuses.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Refreshing Trick

In summary, the reasons why people put watermelon in water range from simple, traditional cooling techniques to creating a modern, healthy beverage. Whether it's to chill a whole melon in a river during a camping trip or to make a sophisticated, nutrient-packed infused water at home, the practice offers numerous benefits. It's a fantastic way to boost hydration, add vitamins and antioxidants to your diet, and enjoy a flavorful, low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks. The versatility and health advantages of watermelon water make it a timeless practice for refreshment and wellness.

Learn more about the benefits of hydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reasons are to create a refreshing and healthy infused water and, traditionally, to use cool natural water sources to chill a whole melon for later consumption.

Yes, watermelon infused water provides hydration and beneficial nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and electrolytes such as magnesium and potassium.

While plain water is essential for hydration, infused water can be beneficial because it adds flavor and a boost of nutrients, potentially encouraging those who dislike plain water to drink more throughout the day.

You should infuse watermelon for at least 30 minutes for a subtle flavor, but leaving it in the refrigerator overnight will result in a more pronounced taste.

Yes, you can use frozen watermelon or other frozen fruits for infusing water. The frozen fruit also helps to keep the water cold.

Mint, basil, cucumber, and lime are all great additions that pair well with watermelon to enhance its refreshing flavor.

Watermelon water, or agua de sandia, is a type of agua fresca, a popular Mexican drink made by blending fresh fruit with water, sometimes with a little lime juice and sweetener.