The Best Watermelon Cocktails!
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When the request came in to develop a few watermelon cocktails for the National Watermelon Promotion Board (their website has so many yummy recipes!!), and to lead a demonstration for their guests, we jumped at the chance. Watermelon is an ingredient that we regularly incorporate in cocktails because it’s available 365 days a year, it’s always delicious, and it’s completely edible from top to bottom. Since watermelon is 92% water, it also acts as a perfect canvas for drink creation. The pairing possibilities are seriously limitless.
These three cocktails are easy to make and are extreme crowd-pleasers. Need help with one of the steps? Find us on Twitter or Instagram. We’re happy to answer any questions!
The first drink is incredible in the summer because of the pineapple component, but the cinnamon makes it THE BEST holiday season drink for entertaining. It literally pairs perfectly with every item on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Not always in the mood for tequila? Swap it out for bourbon, vodka, or rum and it will taste just as fantastic.
Summer Into Fall
2 ounces watermelon juice
1.5 ounces tequila reposado
½ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
Dash cinnamon
Garnish with a watermelon ball and orange peel
Directions
Slice a peel of orange and rim your glass with it. Next, combine the rest of the ingredients in a martini shaker and add ice. Shake for several seconds to mix well, then transfer the cocktail and the ice into a glass. Garnish with the orange peel and a watermelon ball and serve.
If you’re a fan of gimlets, you’ll notice that we took a few liberties. :) However, this cocktail is so delicious and batches up so well that you’ll soon replace the original recipe with this one. St. Germain will likely be the easiest brand of elderflower liqueur to locate in supermarkets, but specialty wine and spirit shops probably have other options as well.
Watermelon Gimlet
2 ounces watermelon juice
1.5 ounces vodka
1 ounce elderflower liqueur
½ ounce fresh lime juice
Garnish with a watermelon ball and lime wheel
Directions
Fill your martini shaker with ice and add all the ingredients. Shake well and strain into a martini glass, coupe, or low ball. Garnish and serve.
Not long after we posted some video of Jordan making this drink did we get a request from a friend in Malibu to deliver a batch for a small get-together. We told our friend that if covered properly in the refrigerator it would keep for about two weeks. However, the sangria was gone by the end of the weekend. Yes, it’s that good. If you’re going to add sparkling rosé instead of regular rosé, add it right before serving so it doesn’t go flat. It’s also a good idea to strain out the garnishes and add fresh ones for the next serving so your drink looks freshly made.
Watermelon Sangria
3 cups watermelon juice
1 bottle rosé
1.5 cups elderflower liqueur
1 cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup fresh lime juice
3 ounces orange juice
1.5 ounces simple syrup
Garnish with watermelon shapes, orange wheels, and lemon wheels
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well. Chill for at least one hour before serving and note that it’s best after twenty-four hours of “margination” in your refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve to your guests, add watermelon shapes or balls, orange wheels, and lemon wheels to the pitcher and/or to each guest’s glass.
