A blended smoothie with the summery flavours of watermelon and strawberry.

This iced smoothie is a copycat smoothie of one I tried in Pizza Express. It was so good I had to replicate it at home.

Edinburgh Science Festival

During the school Easter holidays I took Cooper over to Edinburgh as the Science Festival was on. It's always worth a visit if you have kids. 

The festival is spread over several venues including the City Art Centre and the National Museum of Scotland runs every April for a few weeks.

We popped into the City Art Centre first, but they had changed the booking system and most of the slots were full, so we headed up to the National Museum of Scotland, where there was plenty to see and do.

Cooper particularly enjoyed the tinker project where he was given a keyboard to take apart, examine and re-assemble. 

I was rather worried we would soon find electrical items at home in bits, but thankfully that hasn't happened. I think we will be keeping broken electricals for him to tinker with though.

Veggie Lunch in Edinburgh

There are so many exciting options for lunch near the National Museum of Edinburgh.  

There's Revolution, across the road from the museum, which have a good range of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu from burgers and pasta to meze platters and salads. 

Down in the Grassmarket, you will find Pumpkin Brown, which is a cosy little vegan cafe.

Just off the Royal Mile, on St. Mary's Street you will find David Bann, one of the best veggie restaurants in Edinburgh.

If the sun is shining, it is well worth heading down Royal Mile and turning into Cockburn Street where you will find The Baked Potato Shop, which is full of super tasty fillings for your tattie, which is slow cooked and delicious. There are always vegan sweet treats and savoury pastries too if you're lucky.

Pizza Express

Of course Cooper just wanted to go to Pizza Express. Nothing else would do.

I have to admit it's great for kids, with the fun pack they are given to keep them busy and the kids menu. He always selects the dough balls, pizza, a brownie and a bambinocinno (we make our own frothy babyccino at home, do try it if you have kids).

The nearest Pizza Express to the museum is just along George IX Bridge passed the library, so not  too far.

While Cooper ate his multiple courses I had a Leggara pizza, where the middle of the pizza is cut out and replaced with a dressed salad.

I chose a new drink from the menu, the Watermelon Chill. It was lip-smackingly good!

I had to make my own!

Watermelon and Strawberry Iced Smoothie

This is a simple iced drink made with watermelon, strawberry, apple and mint. 

The Pizza Express menu called it a Watermelon Chill and described it as a bright juice blend of apple, watermelon, strawberry and fresh mint, so I presume it is pre-mixed or juice from juice packs and mixed rather than freshly blended.

My iced smoothie is fresh.

Strawberries aren't in season here yet in Scotland, so I used frozen strawberries, which gave it that iced drink finish.

Do give it a try, it's very summery and moreish.

Summer Gin Cocktail

To make a rather amazing summer cocktail for adults, add a measure of pink gin to each glass before adding the smoothie or add 4-6 measures of gin to the blender while whizzing up the iced smoothie.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is a great option if you're craving some fruit or trying to reach that elusive 5 or 10 a day pieces of fruit and vegetables.

So why is watermelon such a good choice?

1. It's high in vitamin C with 21% of your recommended daily intake (RDI).
2. Watermelon is high in vitamin A, with 18% of your RDI. 
3. It also contains potassium, magnesium and vitamin B1, B5 and B6.
4. It's suggested that the lycopene in watermelon can help lower your chances of cancer as well as helping with blood pressure and to lower cholesterol.
5. The vitamin C and lycopene have anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Vitamin A & C are good for healthy skin and hair.
7. Over 90% of watermelon is water, so it's also helps hydrates you.

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Which blender?

A power blender is essential for a good smoothie. 

You can use a cheaper, less powerful blender, but you must not add ice or frozen fruit to one of these basic models as they aren't powerful enough to cope and you'll just burn out the motor. I know as I've killed a few blenders in my time.

Froothie Power Blenders

At the moment I'm using the G2.1 blender from Froothie in my kitchen for larger blends like this one and the small travel sized Nutri Force blender for smaller quantities.

The G2.1 has now been updated to the G2.6 blender, which is the most powerful blender with 2400w motor, touch screen and pre-programmed settings for ease of use. It's on sale at the moment, down from £499 to £289. You can get a further £20 off if you use the code AMB20 + 1405.

If you're looking for a smaller or lower priced blender try the Nutri Force blender I mentioned above as it's a great size at a great price (£179 or use my code above for £20 off) and still a powerful beast.

All the Froothie blenders are powerful with strong motors, a 6 blade system and they are super easy to clean. Just a drop of washing liquid, hot water and whizz for a fast self clean.

Note: 

If you do buy a blender or juicer with my code, you get the extra discount and I get a small commission. I use these blenders myself every day and have done for years, so I'm happy to recommend them to my readers.

Check out my post A Beginner's Guide to Juicing for more ideas and tips.

Watermelon and Strawberry Iced Smoothie

Yield: 4-6

Author: Jacqueline Meldrum

prep time: 5 Mcook time: total time: 5 M

A blended smoothie with the summery flavours of watermelon and strawberry.

ingredients:

• 500g/ 1/2 medium watermelon, skin removed
• 150g/1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 350ml/1 1/2 cups water or apple juice
• a few sprigs of mint
• ice cubes 

instructions:

1. Halve the watermelon, cut into wedges, then cut the flesh from the skin and roughly chop.
2. Chop the apple.
3. Add the watermelon, strawberries, apple and water (or apple juice) to your blender.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Serve in glasses with fresh mint and ice cubes.
6. Enjoy!

NOTES:

If you have don't have a power blender, use fresh strawberries as the motor might not cope with the frozen strawberries and it could burn out.

Calories
81.06

Fat (grams)
0.26

Sat. Fat (grams)
0.03

Carbs (grams)
20.70

Fiber (grams)
2.33

Net carbs
18.37

Sugar (grams)
15.33

Protein (grams)
0.60

Sodium (milligrams)
5.67

Cholesterol (grams)
0.00

smoothie, iced smoothie, iced drink, mocktail, watermelon smoothie, watermelon drink, watermelon, strawberries, mint

drink

British, vegan

Created using The Recipes Generator

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Honeydew melon, frozen spinach and avocado are the main ingredients in this green smoothie. 

The smoothie is smooth and mellow. The flavour is fresh and creamy but there's no kick to it. You don't taste the spinach, but the melon and avocado do come through. A real pleasure to drink.