5 Watermelon-Based Cocktails to Add a Summer Splash to Your Favorite Spirit

Watermelon is some kind of magical fruit. It's refreshing, hydrating, low on calories and packed with sweet flavor. It also goes really well with vodka, tequila, rum and all manner of spirits, which makes it absolutely perfect as a base for a summer cocktail recipe.

Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, tequila- or vodka-based, frozen or chilled, all of these cocktail recipes provide a delicious splash to brighten your day. Try some of our favorite picks below.

See Also: 9 Tequila-Based Cocktails To Brighten Your Next Celebration

Watermelon-Jalapeño Margarita

A traditional favorite with a kick and a splash! Can be made without jalapeños, so add at your discretion.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of seeded, cubed watermelon
• 1 ½ cups of white tequila
• ½ cup of orange liqueur (such as Triple Sec)
• ½ cup of fresh lime juice
• If you’re freshly squeezing, 4 limes should do the trick
• ¼ cup of simple syrup
• 1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced

Process:

1. Stick the watermelon into a food processor in a few bunches; don’t overload! Process until smooth.
2. Pour into a wire-mesh strainer and press with the back of a spoon. Discard any excess pulp or missed seeds.
3. Combine the watermelon liquid, tequila, liqueur, lime juice, syrup and jalapeños into a large pitcher.
4. Cover the pitcher, and chill in the refrigerator for an hour; if you desire more of a jalapeño kick, chill for longer.
5. Serve over ice, and garnish with watermelon and extra peppers, if desired.
6. Enjoy!

Watermelon Daiquiri Slush

A frozen favorite! Try out this slush, with the fun flavor of a summer freeze and an adult splash.

Ingredients:

• 9 cups of seeded, cubed watermelon
• 1 cup of light rum
• ¼ cup of fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup of sugar
• 1 can of frozen strawberry daiquiri mix, thawed

Process:

1. Freeze half of the watermelon in the freezer
2. Take the other half of the watermelon, and combine it with remaining ingredients into a blender. Cover as necessary, and process into a smooth consistency.
3. Pour half of the mixture into a pitcher.
4. Add the frozen watermelon to the blender, and process once more until smooth.
5. Add the remaining mixture into the pitcher.
6. Serve, and enjoy!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

A Central American classic, made with delicious watermelon!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of seeded, cubed watermelon
• 8 cups of water
• ½ cup of sugar
• ½ cup of fresh lime juice
• Watermelon wedges for garnish

Process:

1. Stick the watermelon into a blender, and process until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the water, sugar and lime juice, and mix well.
4. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 8 hours.
5. Stir and serve in Collins glasses.
6. Garnish with watermelon slices if desired.
7. Enjoy!

Watermelon Mint Mojito

Another classic, another splash, another kick, another fun mix! Try this out! Recipe found at Creative Culinary.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of seeded, cubed watermelon
• 20 mint leaves
• ⅛ a cup of lime juice (1 lime would work well)
• ⅛ cups of simple syrup
• ⅜ cups of light rum
• Club soda

Process:

1. Combine the watermelon, mint and lime juice in a cocktail shaker, and muddle until the watermelon is crushed.
2. Fill the shaker with ice, and add the syrup and rum.
3. Shake until you feel a chill from the shaker.
4. Pour the mixture over glasses filled with ice; do not remove any aspects of the mixture!
5. Top with club soda until full.
6. If desired, garnish with more watermelon and mint.
7. Enjoy!

Watermelon Martini

Shaken or stirred, this classy drink is easily built upon with the melon. Recipe found at Creative Culinary.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup of sugar
• ¼ cup of salt
• ¾ cup of watermelon juice (Can be made by processing watermelon in a blender, as done previously)
• ⅓ cup of vodka
• ⅓ cup of liqueur (Recommendation of limoncello or orange liqueur)
• ⅛ cup of lime juice
• Watermelon slices for garnish

Process:

1. Chill 2 to 3 glasses before beginning to serve; 10 minutes should do the trick.
2. Combine the sugar and salt, and spread it onto a plate.
3. Dampen the glasses’ edges with light water or lime juice, and stick the edges into the salt-sugar mix. Expect to clean up the salt and sugar!
4. Combine the remaining ingredients into a shaker and add ice. Shake well!
5. Strain, and pour the mixture into the glasses. Garnish with the watermelon if desired.
6. Enjoy!