The dessert, Light and fresh

Watermelon with mint and orange blossom water

Name: Watermelon with mint and orange blossom water
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 6 people
Cuisine: Light and fresh
Ingredients: 2 kg Watermelon; 1 bunch Mint; 1 tbsp Orange blossom water; 1 Lime; 2 tbsp Sugar

This watermelon salad with mint and orange blossom water is a summer dessert for 6, very easy, with just 15 minutes of active work. It's prepped in the morning for the evening, at €1.40 per person. The key is a very light hand with the orange blossom water and seasoning the watermelon only at the last minute so it stays firm.

Nothing is more refreshing than icy watermelon cubes, mint, and a touch of orange blossom water, perfect for ending a meal on the terrace.

For: 6 people
Work: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 40
Prep: Prepared the same day
Difficulty: Very easy
Cost per person: €1.40
Calories per person: 60 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Watermelon cut into chilled cubes, tossed with a lime and orange blossom syrup, makes a dessert that truly cools you down at the end of a meal. Chopped mint brings a bright, green edge, while orange blossom water adds a subtle floral note that lifts plain watermelon with sugar into something more interesting. The textures stay crisp, juicy, and completely uncooked.

It's the ideal dessert for summer dinners with friends or family, after a hearty meal when you want something light to finish on, outside on a terrace or after a barbecue. Kids love it too, since there's no alcohol and nothing complicated about it. It follows a Mediterranean meal, a barbecue, or grilled fish particularly well.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

The day before Nothing to do
The same day 3 steps, 2 h 15
Before the guests arrive 1 step, 30 min
When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, cut the watermelon into cubes, mix the lime, sugar, and orange blossom syrup, and keep everything in the fridge until evening. Right before guests arrive, put the watermelon cubes in the freezer for 30 minutes so they chill on the surface. At serving time, toss the syrup with the watermelon, garnish with mint, and serve right away so the fruit keeps its firmness.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

Watermelon 2 kg
Mint 1 bunch
Lime 1

Pantry

Orange blossom water 1 tbsp
Sugaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

Remove the rind and seeds from the watermelon, cut the flesh into 2 cm cubes, and place them in a large bowl. 15 min

Cut the watermelon into thick slices before peeling it, that way you can hold it steady.
Mix the lime juice, sugar, and orange blossom water, then add half of the chopped mint.

Let this mixture rest, the sugar dissolves and the mint flavors the whole syrup.
Cover the watermelon cubes and keep them in the fridge. 2 h

Drain them right before seasoning, watermelon releases a lot of water.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

Put the bowl of watermelon in the freezer for 30 minutes. 30 min

The cubes should be chilled on the surface without freezing solid in the center.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

Pour the dressing over the watermelon, toss, and garnish with the remaining mint.

Dress at the very last minute, this way the watermelon keeps its firmness.

Our tips to get it right

Pick a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and sounds hollow when you tap it, that's how you know it's ripe and sweet.
Always taste the syrup before adding it to the watermelon, orange blossom water varies a lot in strength between brands.
Serve this in individual glasses or small bowls for a more polished look when you have guests over.

The variations

Swap the orange blossom water for rose water for a different, slightly more floral version.
Add a few cubes of feta or black olives to turn this into a sweet and savory starter instead of a dessert.
For kids, skip the orange blossom water entirely and keep just the lime and mint, milder and simpler.

What to serve it with

Iced mint tea
Almond tuile cookies
Homemade lemonade

Storage

This dessert is best eaten the same day, once dressed it doesn't keep well since the watermelon releases too much water. Plain, undressed watermelon cubes keep for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container.

Questions about this recipe

Can watermelon be swapped for another melon?

Yes, cantaloupe works very well with the same syrup proportions. The texture will be a bit less juicy but the flavor stays very close.

How do you keep the watermelon from releasing too much water on the plates?

Drain the cubes well before dressing them, as the recipe instructs. Also dress the salad at the very last minute, never ahead of time.

Can this dessert be made for more than 6 people?

Yes, just multiply all the quantities while keeping the same proportions. A larger watermelon is often enough, just adjust the cutting time.

How do you present this dessert nicely for guests?

Serve the cubes in individual glasses or a large clear bowl to show off the colors. A few fresh mint leaves added at the last minute are enough to finish the look.

Can a watermelon salad with mint and orange blossom water be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 15 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a watermelon salad with mint and orange blossom water?

Allow 2 h 40 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 15 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a watermelon salad with mint and orange blossom water?

About 60 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a watermelon salad with mint and orange blossom water cost?

About €1.40 per person, that's €8.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe doesn't contain any of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. It's still a good idea to ask your guests about their allergies.