24 Best Watermelon Cocktails

Nothing says summer like watermelon – deliciously sweet and fresh, this fruit tastes incredible on a hot day.

Now, with the summer season approaching, it’s a great time to explore the versatility of watermelon in cocktails!

Watermelon has a high water content, so it is perfect for flavoring margaritas, martinis, and mojitos.

It’s easy to infuse the delicious taste into any drink, and it pairs well with almost any spirit.

We’ve compiled a list of the 24 best watermelon cocktails (see also ‘23 Of The Tastiest Hawaiian Cocktails‘) for you to make at home so you can stay refreshed and enjoy the summer sun.

1. Frozen Watermelon Margaritas

Starting this list is the incredibly refreshing Frozen Watermelon Margarita.

This smooth and slushy mixture is the perfect summer cocktail and will keep you cool all day long.

Just mix and freeze overnight to prepare for a day of relaxing!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1 lime wedge
• 4 cup chopped watermelon
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup silver tequila
• 1/4 cup triple sec
• 4 watermelon slices, for garnish
• 4 lime rounds, for garnish

2. Watermelon Sangria

This simplified version of Sangria is made delicious with an infusion of watermelon and lime.

This Watermelon Sangria is less sweet than its traditional counterpart and tastes amazing with a punchy kick.

Ingredients

• 7 cups watermelon, cubed
• 25 oz white wine
• 1 cup vodka
• ½ cup triple sec
• 1 medium lime, sliced
• 1 medium orange, sliced

3. Watermelon Gin Martini

Everyone loves sipping from a chilled Martini glass, especially during the summer.

This Watermelon Gin Martini (see also ‘20 Easy Gin Cocktail Recipes‘) will be everything you are looking for in a cocktail!

The fresh watermelon juice mixed with vermouth and agave is beyond refreshing.

Ingredients

• 2 cup fresh watermelon
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• Lime wedges
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 oz agave
• Sugar, for rim
• Ice
• 1/2 oz red vermouth
• 3 oz gin

4. Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

This simple blend of watermelon, frozen lemonade, and vodka was made to be enjoyed!

This incredibly versatile cocktail can be mixed with any clear liquor you enjoy, such as white rum, gin, or tequila.

Whatever you choose, you’ll be sipping this concoction all summer long.

Ingredients

• 5 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
• 1 1/2 oz can frozen lemonade
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 1/4 cups vodka
• Ice
• Watermelon, for garnish
• Lemon, for garnish

5. Watermelon Mint Mojitos

We all know that a Mojito tastes amazing with any fruity pairing, so why not try a splash of watermelon juice?

This Watermelon Mint Mojito (see also ‘The 20 Freshest & Mintiest Cocktail Out There‘) is a delicious pairing of mint and watermelon, perfect when served ice cold on a hot day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup watermelon
• 20 mint leaves
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 oz simple syrup, optional
• 3 oz light rum
• Chilled club soda
• 2 large balls of watermelon, for garnish
• 2 mint sprigs, for garnish

6. Watermelon Whiskey Cocktail

This fruity take on a Whiskey Sour (see also our favorite whiskey cocktails) is a sophisticated and delicious beverage for you to try this summer.

Using watermelon syrup, you’ll be able to taste the stiff bourbon in the Watermelon Whiskey Cocktail (see also ‘30 Must-Try Whiskey Cocktails For Any Occasion‘) while still getting plenty of watermelon flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1 oz watermelon syrup
• 3 dashes peach bitters

7. Watermelon Rum Punch

This cocktail is perfect for a lazy afternoon in the summer sun.

This Watermelon Rum Punch combines orange juice, lime, watermelon juice, and white rum for a delicious tropical punch (see also ‘A Bunch of Party Punch Recipes: 42 Easy Ideas‘).

Try it with ginger beer for a fizzy twist.

Ingredients

• 6 cups cubed watermelon
• 20 oz pineapple chunks with juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 cup white rum
• 2 cups lemon lime soda, refrigerated

8. Watermelon Vodka Slush

What’s great about this Watermelon Vodka Slush is that you don’t even need a glass!

Using a freezer bag, all you have to do is blend watermelon, lime, simple syrup, and vodka, freeze overnight and you’re good to go!

Load up your picnic basket with these boozy bags this summer (see also ‘30 Boozy Slushes For The Summer‘)!

Ingredients

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
• 2 oz simple syrup
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup vodka
• 2 oz melon liqueur
• 4 twists lemon zest, garnish

9. Watermelon Mimosas

This refreshing and bubbly beverage is a new way to enjoy the classic Mimosa.

Watermelon Mimosas are perfect for a summer brunch or to toast your friends and family.

The combination of tart lime and juicy watermelon is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

• 1/3 medium seedless watermelon, chilled
• 1 bottle Champagne, chilled 
• Simple syrup, optional
• Lime juice, optional

10. Watermelon Pina Colada

Combining the classic mix of pineapple and white rum with watermelon, this Watermelon Pina Colada is a brilliant twist on a favorite tropical cocktail.

Bring the tropics home with these tasty beverages.

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced watermelon, frozen
• 12 oz frozen pineapple
• 15 oz cream of coconut
• 1 cup rum

11. Watermelon Cucumber Cooler

Cucumber and watermelon really are a match made in heaven!

Made with floral gin, fresh lime, and club soda, the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler showcases this incredible combination perfectly. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz fresh watermelon juice
• 3 slices cucumber
• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 1/2 oz soda water

12. Peppermelon

This spicy concoction is nothing like you’ve ever tasted before!

The delicious contrast between the black pepper honey syrup and sweet watermelon in the Peppermelon cocktail is so tasty that you’ll definitely want more. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz London dry gin
• 1 oz watermelon juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 3/4 oz black pepper honey syrup
• Watermelon cube, for garnish
• Ground black pepper, for garnish

13. Watermelon Beer

For beer lovers, this Watermelon Beer is a brilliant way to enjoy your favorite wheat beer in the summer!

It’s crisp and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness. With just three ingredients, the perfect pint is quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cubed watermelon
• 1/2 oz vanilla syrup
• 6 oz wheat beer

14. Watermelon Cosmo

A classic Cosmo cocktail is made with cranberry and vodka, but with the addition of watermelon, the Cosmo is taken to the next level!

This Watermelon Cosmo adds more depth to the traditional cocktail, making for a delicious drink on a hot day.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz vodka, chilled
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 2 oz watermelon juice, chilled
• 3 -6 mint leaves
• Watermelon slice, for garnish
• Lime slice, for garnish

15. Firecracker

The Firecracker is a spicy twist on a classic Daiquiri – it is a combination of rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, muddled watermelon, and ground cayenne pepper.

These flavors come together to create a perfectly balanced cocktail that’s both sweet and spicy.

Ingredients

• 2 cubed watermelon chunks
• 1 1/2 oz aged rum
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/6 tsp cayenne pepper
• Lime wedge, for garnish

16. Tequila Mockingbird

We all love a good pun! Named after Harper Lee’s classic book, To Kill a Mockingbird, this cocktail features a complex flavor profile that is just delicious.

Made with watermelon and jalapeno peppers, the Tequila Mockingbird cocktail is an incredibly spicy and fruity treat.

Ingredients

• 1 slice jalapeno pepper
• 3 watermelon cubes 
• 2 oz silver tequila
• 3/4 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 3/4 oz agave syrup

17. Sparkling Rose

This Sparkling Rose cocktail is more than just a glass of wine.

This cocktail is a carefully crafted combination of tequila, watermelon juice, simple syrup, and, of course, sparkling rose.

It’s easy to make and simple to scale up for a big summer get-together.

Ingredients

• 6 oz fresh watermelon juice
• 1 1/2 oz tequila
• 1 whole lime
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Chilled sparkling rose wine
• Sugar
• 1 slice fresh watermelon

18. La Estrella

Another spicy addition to this watermelon cocktail list is the La Estrella.

Originating in New York, this cocktail is a mixture of watermelon chunks, cubed sugar, club soda, rum, lime, and cayenne pepper.

Both deliciously sweet and perfectly acidic, this spiced cocktail is a winner.

Ingredients

• 4 sugar cubes
• 3 oz club soda, chilled
• 4 chunks seedless watermelon
• 2 oz rum
• 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• Pineapple slice, for garnish
• Strawberry half, for garnish

19. Whatamelon

This Whatamelon cocktail combines the best ingredients that complement watermelon perfectly – mint, citrus, and agave nectar.

This cocktail is made with deliciously light and refreshing ingredients for a delicate flavor that will keep you sipping all day long.

Ingredients

• 2 oz watermelon juice
• 6 mint leaves
• 1 1/2 oz cucumber vodka
• 1 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 oz crisp white wine, optional
• Mint sprig, for garnish

20. Rise Up Red Sea

As a tribute to the Arizona Cardinals football team, the Rise Up Red Sea cocktail was made for the fans.

Using tequila as a base, this beverage balances sweet and sour flavors together for an incredibly well-rounded cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz silver tequila
• 1/2 oz Campari
• 1/2 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 oz watermelon syrup
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• Lemon wheel, fresh or dehydrated, for garnish

21. Watermelon Gimlet

This beautiful simple cocktail has a gin base that is elevated with refreshingly sweet flavors of watermelon.

The Watermelon Gimlet is delicious and is full of flavors that complement the watermelon perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Crushed ice
• 2 cups frozen cubed watermelon
• Mint leaves, for garnish

22. Fruity Fruit Salad

This bright red cocktail (see also ‘Red Cocktails: 20 Of The Best‘) is deliciously fruity and packed full of flavor.

Made with strawberry vodka, watermelon liqueur, and orange bitters, the Fruity Fruit Salad cocktail is everything it claims to be!

Ingredients

• 7 fresh green grapes
• 1 1/3 oz strawberry vodka
• 1 oz watermelon liqueur
• 1/6 oz Poire William eau de vie
• 2 dashes orange bitters

23. Watermelon Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil and made with cachaca, a spirit that is a middle ground between tequila and rum.

This Watermelon Caipirinha takes this classic cocktail to the next level with the subtle, sweet flavor of watermelon.

Ingredients

• 2 wedges of lime
• 4 mint leaves
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 4 cubes chilled watermelon
• 1 1/2  oz of cachaca

24. Hwachae

This alcoholic take on a traditional Korean beverage (see also ‘Soju Cocktails: The Best 13 Recipes‘) is absolutely delicious! It brings together vibrant, fruity flavors, with a surprising combination of rum and beer.

The Hwachae cocktail will be your new favorite drink for the summer.

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 3 wedges fresh watermelon
• 3 wedges fresh pineapple
• 1/4 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 1/2 Budweiser Budvar, or beer of your choice.

Final Word

Any one of these watermelon cocktails are bound to keep you cool and refreshed during the summer months.

Watermelon works well with so many different liquors and flavors, you can add this juicy fruit to almost anything.

So, give them a try at home today! You might find the signature drink for your next summer party.