Quick Look: Easy Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
- Fresh: Made with real watermelon for naturally sweet flavor.
- Easy: Comes together in about 10 minutes.
- Refreshing: Lime, mint, and watermelon are perfect together.
- Light: Not overly sugary or heavy.
- Summer-Perfect: Great for BBQs, lake weekends, and patio nights.
- Customizable: Easy to make fizzy, frozen, or alcohol-free.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Summer: On those hot summer days there is simply nothing better than a light & refreshing evening cocktail!
- Pairs Perfectly: We love sipping this while throwing a beer can chicken on the smoker or some steaks on the grill.
- Extra Watermelon: And if we are already cutting up some watermelon then we love throwing together a watermelon feta salad as a side dish!
Love a refreshing cocktail – try our Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail or our White Sangria!
What You Will Need
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- fresh watermelon – it’s best to grab a VERY ripe watermelon because it has a very full-bodied, flavorful juice!
- mint leaves – a few fresh leaves give it a very fresh taste, we just grab some out of the garden.
- lime juice – fresh squeezed is always so good, but use what you have on hand.
- honey – just a little for some added sweetness, option to adjust to meet your taste (you can also use simple syrup if you prefer)!
- vodka – grab your favorite vodka or you can omit if you want a mocktail.
- club soda – a splash on top gives it some bubbles, which is always fun!
How To Make An Easy Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Step 1: You can begin by cutting your watermelon into large chunks and placing them in a blender.
Step 2: Add the rest of your ingredients, except the club soda.
Step 3: And blend on high until smooth, taste, and make any adjustments.
Step 4: Pour into a cocktail glass, add a splash of club soda or sparkling water, and garnish with mint and/or lime.
Best Vodka for Watermelon Cocktails
You do not need anything fancy for this recipe! A clean, smooth vodka works best since the watermelon flavor is the star. Great options include:
- Tito’s
- Ketel One
- Absolut
- Deep Eddy
- Prairie Organic Vodka
You can also use: citrus vodka, watermelon vodka or mint-infused vodka for extra flavor variation.
Easy Variations
- Frozen Watermelon Cocktail: Use frozen watermelon cubes instead of fresh watermelon and blend with ice for a frozen slushy-style cocktail.
- Sparkling Watermelon Cocktail: Top with club soda, sparkling water, or lemon-lime soda for extra fizz.
- Watermelon Mocktail: Skip the vodka and add extra sparkling water for an easy non-alcoholic watermelon drink.
- Pitcher Watermelon Cocktails: Double or triple the recipe and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
We used vodka in this cocktail and feel it pairs well with the watermelon. You could also use a clear rum for another summery option. Feel free to use the one that sounds best to you or what you have on hand.
Yes! The texture is so much better after straining it, plus you get the added benefit of it not separating in your glass once you pour it. It is a simple step that will make the drinking part of your experience more enjoyable!
Yes! Blend and strain the watermelon mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Fresh watermelon is best for flavor, but bottled watermelon juice can work in a pinch.
Other Cocktail Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon, very ripe
- 4 teaspoons honey, more to taste
- juice of 1 lime
- 2-3 ounces vodka, more or less, as desired
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves
- ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon club soda, or more*
Instructions
- Cut Watermelon: Roughly chop up 2-3 cups of watermelon; try to remove as many seeds as possible.
- Blend: Add watermelon to a blender along with 4 teaspoons honey, juice of 1 lime, 2-3 ounces vodka and 2-3 fresh mint leaves. Blend until fully liquid.
- Adjust: Taste and, if you want it to be sweeter, add a little bit of honey at a time until you have reached your desired sweetness.
- Strain: Pour the watermelon mixture through a fine mesh sieve to strain – this will ensure the consistency is smooth.
- Make Cocktail: Take cocktail glass and add 3 cubes of watermelon (about 1×1 inch) as well as several ice cubes. Pour watermelon mixture over top, leaving about ½ inch or more at the top. Add a splash of club soda or other sparking water.
- Serve: Garnish with additional mint leaves and a slice of lime.
Notes
- Strain: don’t skip the straining part – otherwise the consistency will be a bit weird and separation will occur.
- *you could also use a fun watermelon mineral water to add additional flavor!
Sue says
Yummy. Made it a mocktail but so good and easy Great way to use up any extra watermelon
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Sue!