Korean watermelon punch is a popular summer dessert and drink. It’s light, refreshing and will quench your thirst for sure!
Korean watermelon punch (Subak Hwachae, 수박화채) is a traditional Korean dessert and drink that is particularly popular during the summer months.
Traditionally, the base drink of Korean punch is made with honey or sugar dissolved in water. In modern days, however, a soft drink (e.g. Sprite or 7 up), fruit juice or milk is more commonly used.
Growing up as a child, I’m more used to the soft drink version of punch. The most commonly used soft drink is called Chilsung Cider (칠성 사이다). This is equivalent to Sprite or 7 up in Korea.
However, recently white or flavoured milk gained a huge following as a base drink because it was featured in a popular cooking TV shows (House cook master Baek) in Korea.
Though I much prefer the simple, light and refreshing sprite version. I find that milk based punch is a bit heavy for my liking.
Nonetheless, I will be showcasing three of the most popular ways to make Korean watermelon punch, so that you don’t miss out! 😉
The best part of making these punches is that none of these methods take more than 5 minutes to put together, so I hope you try some of these in your upcoming summer party! They would be particularly suitable as a grill party drink or dessert to cool you down and keep you refreshed!
P.S. If you like this recipe, you might also like to try these Korean drinks! – Sparkling Strawberry Punch and Honey Citron Sparkling Iced Tea
Ingredients for 2 servings
Fruit
- 420g/ 15 ounces watermelon, balled or small cubed
- (optional) 95g/3.4 ounces melon, balled or small cubed
- (optional) 40g/1.4 ounces pineapple, cubed
- (optional) 40g/1.4 ounces lemon, thinly sliced
- (optional) 20g/0.7 ounces blueberries
- (optional) fresh mint leaves for decoration
* While it’s optional, I recommend you add the optional fruit as it makes the punch flavour more complex and tastier. Of course, you can add other fruit as well.
** Weight of the fruit is net weight (i.e. after removing the skin).
Drink base (Combine your drink choice in a mixing bowl prior to pouring in)
- Option 1 (my favourite) – 2 cups Sprite + 3 Tbsp watermelon juice + ice cubes for extra chilling
- Option 2 (my second choice) – 2 cups Strawberry flavour milk + 3 Tbsp watermelon juice + ice cubes for extra chilling
- Option 3 (my third choice) – 1/2 cup Milk + 1 and 1/2 cup Sprite + 3 Tbsp watermelon juice + ice cubes for extra chilling
* 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml
** Ideally, all of your ingredients should be already chilled.
***Watermelon juice comes from blending (in a blender) any leftover watermelon after making watermelon balls.
How to Make Korean Watermelon Punch
- Place the watermelon and fruit of your choice into a medium sized punch bowl. Add your choice of drink base. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves and serve.
Korean Watermelon Punch
Ingredients
FRUIT
- 420 g watermelon (15 ounces), balled or small cubed
- 95 g melon (3.4 ounces), balled or small cubed, optional
- 40 g pineapple (1.4 ounces), cubed, optional
- 40 g lemon (1.4 ounces), thinly sliced, optional
- 20 g blueberries (0.7 ounces), optional
- fresh mint for decoration, optional
Drink Base - Option 1 (my favourite)
- 2 cups sprite
- 3 Tbsp watermelon juice
- ice cubes for extra chilling, optional
Drink Base - Option 2 (my second choice)
- 2 cups strawberry flavour milk
- 3 Tbsp watermelon juice
- ice cubes for extra chilling, optional
Drink Base - Option 3 (my third choice)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups sprite
- 3 Tbsp watermelon juice
- ice cubes for extra chilling, optional
Instructions
- Place the watermelon and fruit of your choice into a medium sized punch bowl. Add your choice of drink base. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves and serve.
Notes
- Weight of the fruit is net weight (i.e. after removing the skin).
- 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 250 ml
Nutrition Info (per serving)
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
just saw bts make this, and looks delish…but wont adding milk to soda make the milk curdle?
How many days can this drink last before it turns bad?
It is best to consume all of it on the day you make it.
I tried this, I did forget the ice, but it was still an amazing drink!.
And it was the first Korean based drink I have ever had, I need to make this for my mothers birthday!.
Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Hope your mum likes it too. 🙂
I love juice, it makes me feel like eating fresh fruits, also no sugar added juice brands which are healthier! I just had one amazing natural juice brand which is chivitajuice which offer variety of healthy fruit juices in Nigeria.
This is lovely and refreshing indeed!
Hello Sue: Happy Birthday to you daughter. The recipes as usual divine.
Kiss for you.
Yolanda
Thanks, Yolanda! 🙂
Hello! I am looking for a kiwi ade recipe. I had this drink in Seoul and want to make it for a graduation party. Do you have any thing like that?
Saw tis on the “Return of Superman” and this recipe is perfect thank you
Hope you like it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, this is very tasty
I made this punch for some Korean students studying here in the U.S. They really enjoyed it and they help students from other countries mix their own punch. Everyone enjoyed the punch. Your recipe came at the right time! Thank you!
Awesome!
Option 1 looks looooooooovely. I’ll be bookmarking this to try in a couple of weeks, thanks!
Hope you like it! 🙂
I absolutely loved your recipe. I never thought of serving it as a dessert and drink at the same time. I learned how to make Agua Fresca 30 years ago from a Mexican friend. She always waited for the most ripe watermelons of the season. They were so sweet you didn’t need sugar. She added sugar when she added sparkling water…..that was my favorite. Anyway thanks for sharing and if you ever get to Mexico, Agua fresca and fresh fruit are sold by street vendors all over the place.
Thanks, Milagros! I’d love to visit Mexico one day. Agua Fresca sounds very similar to Korean style punch as well. I look forward to drinking it there one day. 🙂
You are right Sue, the simple, light and refreshing version without milk is much better. Oh my Goodness have I got a craving for this now.
I hope you try this watermelon punch soon! It’s very refreshing! 🙂