Cooling Watermelon Drink from Mombasa

I will never forget the time we arrived in Diani Beach, Mombasa (Kenya), 2006. It was spring and the sun was absolutely baking. We were sweating like watering cans and were very thirsty after a long trip from Iceland via London. We arrived at the hotel and the service people immediately brought cool, wet clothes (with eucalyptus) to wash our faces and ice cold watermelon drinks. I could have drunk litres of that wonderful juice and immediately asked for the recipe of course. It was watermelon and pineapple, nothing else. We are always careful of consuming fruits when travelling in Africa but since I had been to Kenya several times before, knew the hotel and knew that they sourced their fruits from reputable farmers, I knew they were perfectly fine. It is very important that you never buy fruit that might be filled with additional water (which makes them heavier) such as oranges or watermelons, by the road side. They might be filled with less than clean water. Always buy them from trustworthy sources such as a Nakumatt (grocery store) or from a vendor you trust.

This is one of my absolute favourite drinks and I particularly enjoy drinking it when I am very thirsty or very hot (which I have to admit doesn't happen that often in Iceland).

You will need a blender or a food processor to make this drink.