Ingredients

Scale

4 cups fresh watermelon, chopped
1 ½ cups fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, grapes, or melon)
1 can (14 ounces) fruit cocktail, drained
12 ounces carbonated beverage (Sprite, 7Up, or any lemon-lime soda)
14 ounces strawberry milk
1 cup ice cubes

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Fruits

Begin by chopping the fresh watermelon into bite-sized cubes. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to enjoy with a spoon or straw.
Wash and slice the additional fresh fruits of your choice. If you’re using grapes, cut them in half for easier eating. If using strawberries, remove the stems and slice them thinly.
Drain the canned fruit cocktail to remove excess syrup. This prevents the punch from becoming overly sweet.

Step 2: Assemble the Punch

In a large serving bowl or punch bowl, combine the watermelon, fresh fruit, and drained fruit cocktail. Stir gently to mix everything together.

Step 3: Add the Strawberry Milk

Pour the strawberry milk over the fruit mixture. The milk adds a creamy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the fresh fruits. Stir gently to distribute it evenly.

Step 4: Add Ice and Carbonation

Add one cup of ice cubes to the bowl. This keeps the punch cold and refreshing.
Finally, pour in the carbonated beverage (Sprite, 7Up, or a sparkling alternative). Stir gently to combine without losing too much of the carbonation.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Ladle the hwachae into individual glasses or bowls. Serve with a spoon to enjoy both the flavorful liquid and the juicy fruit pieces.

The combination of sweet fruit, fizzy soda, and creamy milk creates a deliciously refreshing drink that’s perfect for warm weather.

Notes

1. How to Pick the Best Watermelon

A ripe watermelon is the key to a delicious hwachae. Look for a watermelon that has:

A deep, uniform color with no soft spots.
A yellow spot on the bottom, which indicates it was left to ripen on the vine.
A hollow sound when tapped, meaning it’s full of juice.

2. Adjusting Sweetness

If you prefer a sweeter punch, you can:

Add a drizzle of honey or agave syrup before serving.
Choose a sweeter carbonated beverage like a fruit-flavored soda instead of lemon-lime soda.
Use ripe, in-season fruits, which naturally enhance the sweetness.

3. Keeping the Hwachae Cold

Since hwachae is best enjoyed cold, consider:

Chilling the fruits and soda in the refrigerator before assembling the punch.
Using frozen fruit instead of ice cubes to keep the punch cold without diluting the flavors.

4. Avoiding Overpowering Flavors

Some fruits, like bananas, can become too soft or overpower the drink. Stick to firmer fruits like melons, berries, grapes, and citrus slices for the best balance.

Author: Paula Susan
Prep Time: 15 minutes