On those long, hot summer days, all we want to do is kick-up our feet in the shade with a refreshing, cool cocktail in hand. After perfecting our frozen strawberry margarita, we knew we needed to make another version that featured the best summer fruit – watermelon! This is a pitcher margarita recipe because we love to host friends for a backyard happy hour or bring them to share at the lake. They are definitely a crowd favorite and the perfect way to cool down!
Looking for More Watermelon Recipes?
If you love them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Watermelon Smoothie!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
- Watermelon – we used fresh, seedless watermelon, but if yours has seeds be sure to remove them before blending. And if you feel intimidated to cut this large fruit, simply check out our tutorial on how to cut a watermelon!
- Tequila – highly recommend using a silver or white tequila, like Patrón or José Cuervo.
- Gran Marnier – any type of orange liqueur should work here, so feel free to grab your favorite for this summer cocktail!
How To Make A Watermelon Margarita
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- What ingredients are in a watermelon margarita? Typically, it will contain watermelon, of course, tequila, lime juice, a sweetener, and sometimes an orange liqueur, like triple sec.
- What alcohol goes best with watermelon? A silver tequila compliments this watermelon margarita perfectly, but we also love vodka with watermelon – like in our Easy Watermelon Cocktail!
- How to make a spicy watermelon margarita? Simply toss some slices of jalapeño in each glass when serving for a little kick of heat. Adding slices of fresh jalapeños to the pitcher margaritas (if it sits in the fridge for a bit) or directly in the tequila before adding it to the blender can also be ways to bring up the spice level!
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Watermelon Margarita Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Description
Our light & refreshing Watermelon Margarita is the perfect cocktail for sipping all summer long on the patio or deck!
Ingredients
- fresh lime wedges
- 1–2 tablespoon kosher salt
- 14 cups seedless watermelon, cut into large chunks (remove rind)
- 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup Gran Marnier
- 1 cup silver tequila
- ice cubes
- garnish: lime wedges and/or watermelon slices
Instructions
- Salt Rim: Use a fresh lime wedge to rub around the rim of a cocktail glass. Put the salt on the bottom of a flat, small plate and flip over the glass to rub the rim in the salt. Repeat with the other glasses and set aside.
- Blend: Put the watermelon chunks in a high speed blender. Blend until smooth. Note: you may need to do this in batches, depending upon the size of the blender.
- Strain: Pour the watermelon mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or large jar and then strain it again as you pour it back into the blender. Discard anything that gets caught in the strainer.
- Mix: Add 2/3 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup & 2 tablespoons honey, 1 cup Gran Marnier, and 1 cup tequila to the blender. Blend on low until mixed. Taste and add any additional lime juice or honey, as desired.
- Pour: Add ice cubes to the prepared cocktail glasses and pour the strained watermelon mixture over the ice.
- Serve: Garnish and enjoy!
Notes
- Double Strain: I like to do a double strain (Step 2) just to ensure the liquid is smooth.
- Make Ahead: You can definitely make this 1-2 days before serving. Store in the refrigerator.
- Separation: If it sits for more than an hour or so some separation will naturally occur – simply give it a quick mix and it will reincorporate quickly.
- 6 Cups: this makes approx. 6 cups of liquid and approx. 8 servings.
- Mocktail: if that’s your preference, feel free to omit the Gran Marnier and tequila.
- Small Batch: to make a small batch (2 drinks) blend 3 cups cubed watermelon in a blender. Strain and return juice to blender. Add 3-4 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1.5oz Grand Marnier and 1.5oz tequila to the blender. Mix to combine. Rim your glass with salt (if desired), add ice to the glasses and divide drink between both glasses. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 294
- Sugar: 38.2 g
- Sodium: 5.5 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.3 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 1.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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