Beat the heat with a refreshing watermelon vodka cocktail! This icy cold drink combines natural sweetness of ripe watermelon with tangy lime juice. Add a splash of vodka, and enjoy the best flavors of summer.
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Why You’ll Love It
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a summer soirée, or simply seeking a way to unwind after a long day, a watermelon vodka cocktail is a fantastic choice.
Its cooling and revitalizing qualities make it the ultimate summer cocktail, and its simple preparation ensures that you’ll spend more time savoring and less time fussing.
In just a few steps, you’ve transformed 3-basic ingredients into a flavorful drink that embodies the essence of summer.
Cheers! 🍉 🍉 🍉
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh Watermelon Cubes – Or, you can use store-bought watermelon juice to make these cocktails even easier.
- Vodka
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Sweetener (optional) – Simple syrup, honey, agave nectar or maple syrup. For my personal taste, I don’t find that I need any sweetener.
How to Make It
- Gather Your Ingredients: Start by collecting all the necessary components. You’ll need fresh watermelon chunks (about 2 cups), high-quality vodka (3 ounces), fresh lime juice (2 Tablespoons), simple syrup (2 teaspoons), and ice cubes.
- Blend and Strain: Process cubed watermelon in a blender until smooth. Once blended, strain the watermelon puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp and seeds, leaving you with a luscious watermelon juice.
- Mix and Shake: In a cocktail shaker, combine the watermelon juice, vodka, fresh lime juice, and sweetener. Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker and vigorously shake for about 15-20 seconds. This step helps to chill the ingredients and meld the flavors together.
- Pour and Garnish: Strain the shaken cocktail into two glasses filled with ice. Garnish your cocktail with a watermelon wedge, lime wheel, and a sprig of fresh mint leaves, if desired.
Erin’s Tip: This is my favorite cocktail shaker. No more frozen hands!
Recipe Tips
- Here’s a helpful post on how to cut watermelon into cubes. Total game changer!
- To keep things extra simple, look for store-bought watermelon juice.
- It’s not necessary to strain your watermelon juice. Feel free to skip this step if you don’t mind more pulp in your cocktail.
- You can also skip the step of making watermelon juice and make a watermelon vodka slush instead. Simply blend the watermelon with the other cocktail ingredients and a handful of ice. Or, make this cocktail with frozen watermelon chunks.
- To make a large batch, simply adjust the serving size on the recipe card below.
Variations
- Fizzy: Top your finished cocktail off with some sparkling water, club soda or lemon lime soda for a fizzy twist.
- Spicy: Add a few pieces of sliced jalapeno, serrano peppers, or habanero to your cocktail shaker.
- Lemonade: Add some lemonade to your finished cocktail for a tangy twist.
- Mocktail: Turn this cocktail into a mocktail by simply leaving out the vodka. You can add in a splash of lemonade to make it more substantial.
- Gin: Swap out the vodka for herbal gin.
- Tequila: Tequila is also delicious in this cocktail. To finish things off, rim your glass with salt.
How to Make Ahead & Store
The watermelon juice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply shake up your cocktails and enjoy!
More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
- Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
- Grapefruit Spritz Cocktails
- Sea Breeze Cocktail
- Aperol Spritz
- Mai Tai Recipe
- Paloma Cocktail Recipe
- Strawberry Mojito Recipe
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Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
Ingredients
Watermelon Juice
- 2 cups watermelon (or, use store-bought watermelon juice)
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
- 1 cup watermelon juice
- 3 ounces vodka
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey (simple syrup, agave nectar or maple syrup for added sweetness (optional))
To Garnish
- Fresh mint, lime wedges and small watermelon wedges (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Add watermelon to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Drain through a fine mesh strainer. Use it to make your cocktail or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and sweetener (if desired). Shake well to combine.
- Strain into two cocktail glasses filled with ice. Garnish with watermelon wedge, lime wheel, and mint sprig, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
great, I’m in! Nice weekend cocktail and like the watermelon-lime juice combination, thank you!
The vibrant colour of this watermelon vodka cocktail is a feast for the eyes. I love experimenting with cocktails, and this watermelon vodka combo was super amazing. Zesty and fruity – the perfect summer treat.