Roll into summer the right way with our simply delicious Watermelon Tequila cocktail. All you need is juice from a ripe watermelon, a fantastic tequila, a little simple syrup, and a good squeeze of lime juice for a sublimely refreshing drink to enjoy with friends at your next cookout. It’s so easy that cutting the melon is about as close as you’ll get to breaking into a sweat—and it’s perfect to make into a pitcher or punch for easy serving.
Watermelon Tequila Cocktail
PREP TIME 10 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Add the watermelon to the blender and blitz until just smooth
02
Strain the watermelon through a sieve and pour into a shaker or mason jar
03
Add a handful of ice, along with the tequila, lime, syrup and salt
04
Shake briefly until chilled and strain into a cocktail or coupé glass
05
Skewer 3 melon balls onto a toothpick and pop them into the glass to garnish. So pretty!
How to make a Watermelon Tequila cocktail
Our Watermelon Tequila recipe needs a blanco for its clean, zesty flavor. Choose a top-shelf one like Espolòn Blanco, as both complement a juicy watermelon perfectly. Add a splash of zesty fresh lime and simple syrup, and you’ve got one of the best tequila summer cocktails in your hands.
To make a quick watermelon juice, blitz fresh watermelon chunks in a blender and strain them through a sieve. Keep what you need for your drinks, then pour the rest into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop the frozen cubes into a Ziploc bag, get them back in the freezer, and store them for another occasion.
Quick and easy homemade simple syrup
Making cocktail syrup at home is super simple. Just add equal parts water and sugar (half a cup of each) to a saucepan and gently heat through, while stirring. It takes about 2-3 minutes to dissolve the sugar and then it’s done! Remove from the heat and cool completely before using. The leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a month. If you want more info on how to make your own simple syrup, be sure to read our easy syrup variations for cocktail making.
Tips for the perfect Watermelon Tequila cocktail
- The best way to cut up a watermelon and avoid making a mess with all the sticky juice is to cut your melon in half, then into wedges, with the skin on. Skin-side on the board, cut the melon lengthways down into the flesh, stopping at the white rind. Now turn it and cut horizontally in the same way. Carefully cut under the cubes to release them. Remove any seeds and your watermelon is ready to blend.
- Watermelons grow on the vine in the field so look out for a yellow spot where they rest on the ground. If it’s creamy yellow, then the melon is ripe and ready. If it’s white, it needs more ripening.
- Avoid shiny watermelons as they’re under-ripe. Instead, select dark and dull ones.
- Big webbing marks on the skin are a good sign of ripe melon.
- For the perfect serve, try a fun garnish. For more inspo, read 16 Creative Cocktail Garnish Ideas for your Next Cocktail Night.
- For an extra minty twist, muddle your melon with a few springs of mint.
- If you’re left with extra watermelon, make a delicious watermelon and feta salad with some arugula. Watermelon pairs really well with cheese so serve your cocktails with a tasty cheeseboard or any nibbles with a spicy kick!
You might also like: How to Pair Cocktails with Spicy Food
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The best tequila for a Margarita-style cocktail is a silver or blanco tequila, which is a clear spirit with a stronger and purer taste that matches beautifully with other flavors. It’s bottled straight away after distillation and usually not aged.
If you’re making watermelon cocktails, great pairings include lemon or lime juice as well as other tropical flavors such as coconut. Strawberries mix well with watermelon, as well as herbs such as basil and mint. When serving watermelon to eat, a surprising combination is cheese. Try it in a salad with feta and arugula, it’s a smashing combination. Honey and spices work really well too, like chilli, cayenne pepper and jalapeño.
Have you tried Mexico’s most popular cocktail—a Paloma? This is a magical blend of tequila and grapefruit juice that’s definitely one for summer parties. Other classic combinations for tequila are pineapple, orange or lime juice, but club soda works really well too. Vermouth, both dry and sweet, are another great match for tequila. Or, go rogue and enjoy Mexico’s version of a Bloody Mary with tomato juice and tequila.
