14 Best Watermelon Cocktails

When the weather heats up, nothing beats a cool, refreshing watermelon cocktail. This guide features 14 of the best recipes, from classic combinations to creative innovations. Discover your next go-to summer drink and enjoy the taste of sunshine in every glass!

Watermelon Margarita

The watermelon margarita is a refreshing cocktail. It’s perfect for summer gatherings. The fresh watermelon adds a sweet, juicy flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 cups watermelon cubes (seedless)
• 1 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup Cointreau or triple sec
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• Salt or Tajin seasoning (for rim)
• Lime wedges (for garnish)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Blend the watermelon cubes until smooth.
2. Strain the juice through a fine sieve to remove pulp.
3. Combine watermelon juice, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
4. Shake well until chilled.
5. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass.
6. Dip the rims into salt or Tajin seasoning.
7. Fill glasses with ice.
8. Pour the margarita mixture over the ice.
9. Garnish with lime wedges.

Enjoy your watermelon margarita on a hot day. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.

Watermelon Mojito

A Watermelon Mojito is a refreshing summer cocktail. It’s a mixture of fresh watermelon, mint, lime juice, rum, and sweeteners. This cocktail is light, fruity, and perfect for hot days.

Ingredients

• Watermelon: 1 cup, cubed
• Mint leaves: 10-12
• Lime juice: 1 oz (from fresh limes)
• White rum: 2 oz
• Simple syrup or agave nectar: 1 oz
• Ice: As needed
• Club soda: Optional, for topping

Instructions

Muddle ingredients:

• In a cocktail shaker, add watermelon cubes.
• Add mint leaves and simple syrup or agave nectar.
• Gently muddle until the watermelon is juiced.

Shake and mix:

• Add lime juice and white rum to the shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.

Strain and serve:

• Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice.
• Top with club soda, if desired.

Enjoy this delightful cocktail on a warm evening. It’s easy to prepare and has a soothing, fruity taste. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.

Watermelon Martini

A Watermelon Martini is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail. It combines the sweet flavor of watermelon with the smoothness of vodka or gin. This cocktail is perfect for summer parties or relaxing evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh watermelon cubes
• 2 oz vodka or gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for garnish
• Optional: sugar for rimming the glass

Instructions

1. Prep Watermelon: Blend watermelon cubes until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
2. Rim Glass (Optional): Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with a lime wedge. Dip the rim in sugar.
3. Mix Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine:
   • 2 oz vodka or gin
   • 1 oz fresh lime juice
   • 1/2 oz simple syrup
   • 2 oz watermelon juice
4. Shake: Shake for 15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Strain and Serve: Strain into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

This cocktail is a delightful and visually appealing option for warm-weather gatherings.

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria is a crowd-pleaser. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. This drink brings out the best of fresh watermelon.

Key Ingredients:

• 4 cups of watermelon juice (blended and strained)
• 1 bottle of white wine (preferably dry)
• 1/2 cup of orange liqueur
• 1/4 cup of vodka
• 1/4 cup of lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
• Watermelon slices, lime slices, and mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Watermelon Juice: Blend the watermelon pieces until smooth. Strain to remove pulp.
2. Mix the Ingredients: In a large pitcher, combine watermelon juice, white wine, orange liqueur, vodka, lime juice, and optional honey. Stir well.
3. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
4. Garnish and Serve: Serve over ice. Garnish with watermelon slices, lime slices, and mint.

You can adjust the sweetness by adding more honey. For a stronger drink, add more vodka. Serve this sangria at your next summer party. It pairs well with light appetizers.

Watermelon Cooler

A watermelon cooler is a refreshing drink perfect for hot days. Easy to make and delicious, this drink combines the natural sweetness of watermelon with citrus and mint.

Ingredients

• 8 cups watermelon, cubed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vodka (optional)
• Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare Watermelon:

• Blend the watermelon until smooth.
• Strain the mixture to remove pulp and seeds.

Mix Ingredients:

• In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon juice, lime juice, honey, and water.
• Stir well to combine.

Optional Alcohol:

• Add vodka if desired.
• Stir again to mix evenly.

Serve:

• Pour the watermelon cooler into glasses.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Serve immediately for a refreshing experience. Perfect for summer days and gatherings.

Watermelon Daiquiri

A Watermelon Daiquiri is a refreshing summer cocktail. It combines the sweetness of watermelon with the tartness of lime and the kick of rum. This drink is great for patio parties or cooling off on a hot day.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of frozen watermelon cubes
• 1/4 cup of white rum
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of agave nectar

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge or a watermelon slice.

Frozen watermelon replaces ice in this recipe. This makes the drink more flavorful. The lime juice adds a tangy kick, and the agave nectar balances it with sweetness. You get a refreshing, easy-to-make cocktail. Perfect for the summer.

Watermelon Daiquiris can be adjusted to your taste. Add more lime juice for a tarter flavor. Increase agave nectar for more sweetness. Experiment with garnishes like mint leaves or a splash of soda.

Watermelon Vodka Spritzer

A Watermelon Vodka Spritzer is the perfect refreshing cocktail for warm days. It combines the sweetness of watermelon with the crispness of vodka and the effervescence of seltzer water.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon chunks
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce lime juice
• A pinch of salt
• Seltzer water
• Fresh mint (optional for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Blend the watermelon chunks until smooth.
2. Strain the watermelon juice into a container.
3. In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 cup watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and salt.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
5. Pour the mixture into a glass and top with seltzer water.
6. Garnish with fresh mint if desired.

Watermelon Gin Fizz

The Watermelon Gin Fizz is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 cups ripe watermelon, cubed
• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Club soda
• Mint or lime, for garnish

Instructions

1. Blend the watermelon until smooth.
2. Strain the juice to remove pulp.
3. Combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker.
4. Dry shake without ice.
5. Add ice and shake again.
6. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
7. Top with club soda.
8. Garnish with mint or a lime twist.

Watermelon Paloma

The Watermelon Paloma is a refreshing summer cocktail. It combines the sweetness of watermelon with the tangy notes of grapefruit and lime.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tbsp simple syrup (optional)
• Sparkling water or club soda
• Salt or Tajin for rimming the glass
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Blend the Watermelon: Add the watermelon cubes to a blender. Pulse until smooth and strain to remove pulp.
2. Mix the Ingredients: In a pitcher, combine grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir well.
3. Prepare the Glass: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim in salt or Tajin.
4. Assemble the Drink: Fill the glass ¾ full with ice. Pour the watermelon mixture over the ice. Top with sparkling water or club soda.
5. Garnish: Add a slice of grapefruit or a lime wedge to the rim for added flair.

Watermelon Mule

A Watermelon Mule is a refreshing twist on the classic Moscow Mule. This cocktail combines the spicy zest of ginger beer with the fruity sweetness of watermelon. It’s perfect for a hot summer day.

First, gather your ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh watermelon juice
• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 6 oz ginger beer
• Ice cubes
• Watermelon wedges and mint leaves for garnish

Follow these steps to make your Watermelon Mule:

1. Prepare watermelon juice: Blend fresh watermelon chunks until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh to remove pulp.
2. Combine liquids: In a copper mug, combine watermelon juice, vodka, and lime juice.
3. Add ice and ginger beer: Fill the mug with ice cubes. Top off with ginger beer, stirring gently.
4. Garnish: Decorate with a watermelon wedge and a sprig of mint.

Watermelon Pimm’s Cup

A Watermelon Pimm’s Cup combines the refreshing qualities of watermelon with the herbal notes of the classic Pimm’s Cup. This cocktail makes a perfect summer drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz watermelon syrup (blend watermelon and strain)
• Ice
• Ginger ale or 7Up
• Cucumber slices
• Fresh berries
• Mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Watermelon: Freeze 1-inch watermelon cubes overnight.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add Pimm’s, lemon juice, and watermelon syrup.
3. Shake and Strain: Shake well, then strain into an ice-filled glass.
4. Top and Garnish: Top with ginger ale or 7Up. Garnish with cucumber slices, berries, and mint leaves.

Watermelon Punch

You can make refreshing watermelon punch. It’s perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups watermelon juice
• 1 cup simple syrup (1 cup sugar and 1 cup water simmered until sugar is melted, then cooled)
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 2 cups club soda
• Watermelon slices and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

• Pour the watermelon juice into a large punch bowl.
• Add the cooled simple syrup.
• Mix in the vodka and lime juice.
• Stir well to combine.
• Add the club soda.
• Garnish with watermelon slices and mint leaves.
• Serve over ice cubes.

Watermelon Basil Smash

The Watermelon Basil Smash is a refreshing cocktail perfect for summer. It combines fresh watermelon, basil, and a hint of lime.

Ingredients:

• 1 segment of watermelon, chopped into cubes
• 5-8 fresh basil leaves
• 1.5 oz gin
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Ginger ale (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add the watermelon cubes to a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle the watermelon until the juice is extracted.
3. Add the basil leaves and muddle gently.
4. Pour in the gin, simple syrup, and lime juice.
5. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
6. Strain the mixture into an ice-filled rocks glass.
7. Top with ginger ale if desired.

Watermelon Mint Julep

A Watermelon Mint Julep combines the refreshing taste of watermelon with mint and bourbon. It’s a great cocktail for summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups fresh watermelon cubes
• 1 ounce mint simple syrup
• 2 ounces bourbon
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish
• Crushed ice

Mint Simple Syrup:

To make the mint simple syrup, follow these steps:

1. Tear mint leaves into pieces.
2. Combine mint leaves, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water in a saucepan.
3. Heat over medium-high, stirring until sugar dissolves.
4. Remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes.
5. Strain out mint leaves and let syrup cool.

Instructions:

Prepare Watermelon Juice:

• Blend watermelon cubes in a blender until smooth.
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp.

Mix the Cocktail:

• Add mint simple syrup, bourbon, and watermelon juice to a shaker.
• Shake well with crushed ice.

Serve:

• Fill a glass with crushed ice.
• Pour the mixture over the ice.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Whatamelon

The Whatamelon is a refreshing and vibrant summer cocktail. Perfect for hot days, it combines the sweetness of watermelon with a touch of tartness and a hint of spice. This drink is easy to make and is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon chunks
• 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced
• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz agave syrup
• Ice cubes
• Watermelon balls and mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Muddle: In a shaker, muddle the watermelon chunks and jalapeño slices.
2. Mix: Add tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.
4. Serve: Strain the mixture into an ice-filled glass.
5. Garnish: Add watermelon balls and a mint sprig, if desired.