Make a refreshing Watermelon Vodka Cocktail at home with this simple recipe. Put those juicy summer watermelons to good use and blend up this watermelon vodka drink in just a few minutes.
This recipe was originally shared on Savory Experiments where I am a contributor.
Make-ahead
Minimal prep
You’ll Learn: How to make a crowd-pleasing summer drink in no time
Worth It: Refreshing and perfect for any summer gathering or backyard hangout
Bonus: Kid-friendly mocktail version
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Refreshing summer treat – The only thing more refreshing than watermelon in the summer is watermelon blended into a cocktail.
- Perfect for groups – This watermelon cocktail is the perfect batch drink for any party. It’s something everyone will love.
- Easy to make – Just blend your watermelon and add the remaining ingredients! No cocktail shaker needed for this summer drink!
Serving Suggestions
Vodka watermelon cocktails are perfect to serve outdoors in the summer. I like to serve this to friends alongside some summer appetizers, like Mini Pretzel Dogs, Grilled Shrimp and Corn Salad with tortilla chips as a dip, an Asparagus and Cheddar Galette, or Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings.
If you want a watermelon heavy theme, you could make a grilled watermelon salad.
Can i use a food processor to blend?
Yes! I prefer to use a high speed blender to make a super smooth cocktail, but you can use a food processor or immersion blender in place of a standard blender.
Ingredients
- Watermelon – you can buy a whole watermelon or get the pre-cut watermelon chunks at the grocery store
- Lime juice – fresh lime juice is best. If you don’t have limes, lemon juice will work too.
- Vodka – any vodka you enjoy will work for this recipe
- Triple sec – you can use any triple sec or Cointreau
- Maple syrup – the syrup sweetens your beverage, so feel free to adjust to your taste
Ingredient Substitutions
For a mocktail, you can just omit the vodka and triple sec to make a delicious mocktail. You can also add some extra lime juice or a non-alcoholic spirit like Seedlip to replace the vodka.
You could also switch up the liquor in this recipe. Feel free to use tequila or rum.
Instead of maple syrup for sweetness, you could use honey, agave, or simple syrup. Any sweetener will work.
If you like some fizz in your drink, top the watermelon vodka cocktail with club soda or lemon lime soda. You could even stir in ginger beer to make it a watermelon moscow mule. If you do add any soda water, add it as you serve, not when you blend it.
Optional cocktail garnishes
Make your watermelon vodka cocktails extra fancy with edible garnishes. I garnished mine with small watermelon wedges and slices of lime.
You can also garnish these drinks with candied citrus and fresh mint leaf or basil. You can also blend fresh mint or basil into the drink for a fresh herby flavor. To make it a little fancier, muddle the fresh herbs in the cocktail glass when serving.
How to make
Step 1: Blend and strain watermelon
Cut the rind off of a large watermelon and cut into cubes. The easiest way to cut a watermelon into cubes is to cut small watermelon slices off the top and bottom so the watermelon lays flat. Then, cut the watermelon around the outside in long strips until all of the rind is removed.
You should then have a fully peeled watermelon. Cut this peeled watermelon into even sized cubes.
Place watermelon cubes into a blender and blend until you have a smooth watermelon puree.
Pour blended watermelon into a pitcher through a fine mesh strainer. Discard any of the pulp or leftover bits in the strainer. Pour the watermelon juice back into the blender.
Step 2: blend vodka into the cocktail and serve
Then, pour vodka, triple sec, lime juice and maple syrup into the blender with the watermelon juice. Blend again and pour into a pitcher to serve.
Finally, serve this watermelon drink over ice cubes in a rocks glass and garnish with lime juice, a wedge of watermelon and mint.
Make Ahead & Storage
You can make this watermelon drink ahead of time. Just prepare the cocktail and place in an airtight container like a large mason jar.
Store in the fridge for up to three days. Shake jar before serving or re-blend in a blender.
Check out these other Delicious Cocktails
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Email Recipe for Later
Recipe
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
- 5 cups of cubed watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 2 tablespoons triple sec
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Place watermelon in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour blended watermelon over a fine mesh strainer and into a pitcher.
- Discard any leftover bits left in the strainer. Pour strained watermelon juice back into the blender.
- Pour vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and maple syrup into the blender with the watermelon juice. Blend again to combine all of the ingredients.
- Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon, lime slices and fresh mint.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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