Best Watermelon Yakult Soda

I first tried watermelon yakult soda at my friend’s house during a summer hangout. Growing up, we only ever mixed Sprite with fruit juice when we wanted something fancy. My mom would say that was good enough for any special occasion.

But this drink? It’s completely different from those simple juice mixes. The sweet-tangy yakult pairs so naturally with watermelon that I wondered why I hadn’t thought of it before. Now whenever I spot yakult at the grocery store, I automatically grab a few bottles and some watermelon to make this refreshing drink at home.

What Kind of Watermelon Should I Use?

For this refreshing drink, you’ll want to pick a watermelon that’s perfectly ripe and sweet. The best way to tell if a watermelon is ready is to look for one that’s heavy for its size and has a yellow spot where it sat on the ground – that’s a sign it ripened on the vine. Personal-sized watermelons work great for this recipe since you only need a cup of fruit, and they’re easier to handle than their larger cousins. When cutting your watermelon, try to choose pieces from the heart of the fruit where the flesh is typically sweeter and has the best texture for drinks. Just make sure to keep your watermelon cold before using it – room temperature watermelon won’t give you that same crisp, refreshing result.

Options for Substitutions

This refreshing drink can be customized in several ways to match your preferences or what you have on hand:

• Probiotic drink (Yakult): If you can’t find Yakult, you can use other probiotic drinks like Calpis/Calpico, or even plain kefir mixed with a bit of honey. Keep in mind that using a different probiotic drink will change the signature taste.
• Watermelon: You can swap watermelon with other sweet, juicy fruits like peaches or honeydew melon. Just make sure to dice them into small pieces.
• Seedless grapes: Feel free to skip the grapes or replace them with berries like strawberries or blueberries. Any sweet, fresh fruit will work well here.
• Soda/fizzy water: Any carbonated drink works – try sprite, 7-up, or plain sparkling water. If using flavored sodas, the drink will be sweeter, so you might want to adjust the fruit quantity.
• Ice cubes: Regular ice works fine, but for extra fun, try freezing small chunks of watermelon to use as fruit ice cubes. They’ll keep your drink cold without diluting it.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making watermelon yakult soda is using overripe watermelon, which can make your drink too sweet and mushy – choose a fresh, crisp watermelon that sounds hollow when tapped.

Another common mistake is adding the fizzy water too early or stirring too vigorously, which can quickly make your drink go flat – instead, add it gently at the very end and give it just a light stir.

To keep your drink perfectly balanced, make sure to chill all ingredients beforehand rather than relying solely on ice cubes, as melting ice will dilute the flavors.

For an extra refreshing twist, try freezing some watermelon cubes ahead of time to use instead of regular ice cubes, and always serve immediately after mixing to enjoy the maximum fizz and freshness.

What to Serve With Watermelon Yakult Soda?

This refreshing drink pairs perfectly with light summer snacks and Asian-inspired finger foods. Try serving it alongside some crispy spring rolls or fresh Vietnamese summer rolls, which won’t overpower the delicate fruity flavors of the drink. For a fun poolside or picnic setup, match it with some salty rice crackers or wasabi peas – the sweet-and-fizzy drink balances really well with crunchy, savory snacks. If you’re hosting a brunch, this drink goes great with fresh fruit skewers or a simple yogurt parfait topped with granola.

Storage Instructions

Prep Ahead: You can dice the watermelon and grapes ahead of time and keep them in separate containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. This makes it super quick to throw together your drink when you’re ready for it!

Keep Fresh: Once mixed, this refreshing drink is best enjoyed right away while the soda is still fizzy and the fruit is fresh. If you need to store it briefly, keep it in the fridge without ice for up to 2 hours, but remember that it will gradually lose its carbonation.

Serve: For the best taste and fizz, add the ice cubes and carbonated water just before serving. The fruit mixture can be prepared earlier, but wait to add the bubbly stuff until you’re ready to drink!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	10-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 150-200
• Protein: 2-4 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38-45 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup seedless grapes (halved for easier blending)
• ice cubes
• 1 bottle probiotic drink (like Yakult)
• 1 cup diced watermelon
• 1 can soda (Sprite or other lemon-lime soda work well)

Step 1: Prepare the Watermelon

Start by crushing the chopped watermelon until it forms a juicy pulp.

Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, set it aside as it will be used as the top layer in the drink.

Step 2: Crush the Grapes

In a separate cup or jug, add your grapes and crush them into a pulp.

This will serve as the base layer of your drink, giving it a rich fruity flavor.

Step 3: Assemble the Drink

Begin assembling your drink by dropping in lots of ice into the cup or jug containing the crushed grapes.

Next, gently pour in Yakult and soda, making sure not to disturb the crushed grape layer.

The goal is to keep the layers distinct for a visually appealing presentation.

Step 4: Add the Watermelon Layer

Finally, carefully pour the crushed watermelon onto the top of the drink to create a vibrant and refreshing top layer.

This layered effect not only looks pleasing but allows you to taste each fruit distinctly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Your layered fruit drink is ready to serve.

Enjoy the refreshing combination of flavors and the visual appeal of this tasty beverage!