Pink drink perfection: 5 watermelon cocktail recipes for summer

Watermelon is a quintessential summer fruit. It’s sweet, juicy and bursting with summer flavour which makes it the perfect beverage mixer to quench your thirst during the summer heat. This collection of watermelon cocktail recipes is everything you need this summer. Not only is this wonderfully watery melon refreshing and tasty but it also boasts numerous nutrients, including a substantial amount of vitamins A and C. Plus it’s low in calories which means you can toss out the  sugar laden syrups when making cocktails and replace them with a healthy dose of melon this summer.

It should go without saying that you should always enjoy alcohol responsibly – but I will just reiterate this here. Enjoy a cocktail or two, but within reason. With that out the way, here are five fabulously fresh watermelon cocktail recipes for you to try out. 

The classics: vodka spiked watermelon slices

If you’re a fan of the simpler pleasures in life then this easy peasy watermelon cocktail recipe is for you. Sweet, simple and perfect for taking to summer picnics or big parties, here is how to make classic spiked watermelon slices.

Makes one melon

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole watermelon
  • 1 bottle vodka

Instructions:

  1. Secure your watermelon on the table using towels or cloth napkins to keep it from rolling.
  2. Remove the cap from the vodka bottle to use as a template for the hole. With a marker, draw a circle around the cap on the top of the watermelon.
  3. Cut around the circle with a knife, digging deep into the melon’s flesh, try to get to the center of the melon. 
  4. Rotate the watermelon so the hole is now on the side and place the bottle of vodka in the hole of the watermelon.
  5. Rotate the watermelon back up so the bottle is upright, it should fit securely and be able to stand up without falling over.
  6. Allow the vodka and melon to rest at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. The vodka will slowly filter into the watermelon’s flesh as it rests. You may not be able to use all of the vodka; the amount will depend on how juicy and large the melon is.
  7. When you’re ready, quickly remove the vodka bottle and place the piece of watermelon saved as a stopper into the hole. 
  8. Put your watermelon in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. 
  9. When ready to serve, simply cut the watermelon into slices and enjoy.  

Frozen and fruity: frozen watermelon daiquiri 

Whenit comes to watermelon cocktail recipes this is a refreshing frozen drink that’s perfect for sunny days and lounging by the pool. The  delightful pink daiquiri is a sweet summer cocktail that will help keep you hydrated all day long. 

Makes one cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 500g watermelon chunks, frozen and deseeded 
  • 60ml light rum
  • 30ml lime juice
  • 45ml simple syrup (if you don’t know how to make simple syrup check out this article: Simple syrup recipe)
  • Some ice cubes

Instructions:

  1. Combine watermelon chunks, rum, ice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. 
  2. That’s it! Serve in tall glasses, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
watermelon cocktail recipes

Light and hydrating: watermelon, cucumber, and mint gin fizz

Watermelon is obviously a water heavy fruit, which makes it perfect for juicing. This light summer watermelon gin fizz recipe takes advantage of that to create a wonderfully refreshing drink. The easiest way to juice watermelon is to muddle it. This means that in a container or shaker you will need to press firmly into the fruit and as you press down, twist, then let go. Repeat this a few times, until the juice is released. Do this for  a few chunks and strain out the juice. You’ll need a shaker and strainer for this one, but the results are worth it. 

Makes one cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 45ml fresh watermelon juice
  • 3 slices cucumber
  • 45ml gin
  • 15ml simple syrup 
  • 10ml lime juice
  • 60ml soda water (or more if you prefer)
  • A few sprigs of mint

Instructions:

  1. Press the watermelon to make juice. Strain and keep 45ml of the juice per cocktail. 
  2. Place 2 slices of cucumber and the mint in a cocktail shaker and muddle well.
  3. Add the gin, simple syrup, watermelon and lime juice. 
  4. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  5. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
  6. Garnish with a cucumber slice. 
  7. Serve and enjoy.

Daring and different: watermelon sangria

This watermelon cocktail recipe is a twist on another classic, watermelon sangria! Perfect for long and lazy summer lunches with friends. Not only is it refreshing but it’s pretty in pink too. Make a jug and sit back and sip all summer long.

Makes one large jug or two smaller ones

Ingredients:

  • 750ml Rosé wine
  • 750ml Rosé sparkling wine
  • 60ml elderflower liqueur
  • 125ml fresh watermelon juice
  • Zest of 2 limes
  • Fresh mint, lime slices, and small watermelon cubes

Instructions:

  1. To make watermelon juice, blend two cups of cubed watermelon in a blender until smooth. 
  2. Strain through a sieve and add 125ml into a jug.
  3. Combine the bottle of rosé wine, elderflower liqueur, watermelon juice, and zest into a large jug.
  4. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve. 
  5. Add the mint, limes, and watermelon cubes into the jug and stir.
  6. When ready to serve, add the bottle of sparkling wine to the jug. 
  7. Fill tall glasses with ice and serve.
watermelon cocktail recipes

Tequila time! Magical watermelon margaritas

Naturally sweetened, watermelon margaritas are fresh, tart and perfect for summer. The fresh flavour of watermelon combined with lime juice and a bit of mint gives you the refreshing taste of summer in a glass. One sip and you’ll be ready to kick back and relax.

Makes 4 cocktails

Ingredients:

  • 450g watermelon cubes, deseeded
  • 125ml silver tequila 
  • 60ml cointreau
  • 60ml lime juice
  • A few sprigs of fresh mint, stalks removed
  • Extra watermelon wedges and mint for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Add the watermelon, tequila, cointreau, lime juice and mint leaves together in a blender.
  2. Blend.
  3. Fill tall glasses with some ice cubes.
  4. Pour, serve, enjoy, repeat.

I hope these summer watermelon cocktail recipes inspire you to make the most out of the sunny months. Spend quality time with friends and family sipping away on these fruity summer drinks.

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