This Watermelon Margarita is the ultimate summer margarita recipe. Made with fresh watermelon juice, and served icy-cold, it’s the perfect refreshing summertime sipper. I’ve also included easy pitcher measurements for stress-free entertaining!
Easy Watermelon Margarita Recipe
So many sweet, delicious summertime fruits, so little time! Don’t let summer slip away without making yourself a cold, refreshing Watermelon Margarita!
Our family enjoys watermelon so much that, as soon as the melons are plentiful each summer, I try to keep one on hand every single week. I slice or cube most of it up, for a simple side or sweet end-of-meal treat. And I like to use some for mojito fruit salad (a family favorite!), watermelon salsa, and drinks.
If you’ve been looking for the ultimate summer margarita recipe, this is truly a top contender. Made with fresh watermelon juice, and served icy-cold, it’s the perfect summertime sipper!
What You’ll Need
When it comes to watermelon drinks with alcohol, this is as simple and easy as it gets. You only need 4 ingredients!
- Watermelon – For the prettiest, best tasting watermelon margarita, be sure to use watermelon that’s deep red in color, plus sweet and flavorful.
- Lime – Fresh lime juice is essential when making margaritas, for the brightest, fresh tart flavor.
- Tequila – I like to use a blanco/silver tequila for this recipe – but if you prefer an aged variety, go right ahead.
- Orange Liqueur – This is a common ingredient in a classic margarita, and adds a slight orange citrus flavor. Feel free to use Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier, whatever you like or have on hand.
How to Make a Watermelon Margarita
I prefer my watermelon margarita on the rocks. Here’s how I make it!
- Combine. Add tequila, orange liqueur, watermelon juice, and lime juice to a small pitcher or jar (I use a 16-ounce mason jar). Put the top on and give it a few good shakes to combine.
- Pour. Divide mixture evenly, pouring over 2 ice-filled glasses.
- Garnish. The final step, and one that should never be forgotten. Garnish! A fresh watermelon wedge and slice of lime is perfection!
Tips & Variations
This margarita recipe is easily customizable. Here are a few tips and variations for you!
Do I have to strain the watermelon juice? Of course not! If you like the pulpy watermelon flesh, don’t strain it.
Add a salted rim. Margaritas are famous for their salted rims – scroll down to the next section to see just how easy it is to add a salted rim!
Do I have to use tequila? If you’re not a tequila fan, I surely don’t expect you to drink tequila! While this would technically not be a margarita any more, just substitute some vodka, rum, or gin.
Make it less strong. To stretch out the drink, or to simply make it less strong, pour the margarita mixture into a tall glass of ice and then top it off with cold club soda. It’s lighter and refreshing with the bubbles!
Make it non-alcoholic. To make a bubbly mocktail for the younger folks and those who prefer no alcohol, simply start with a tall glass of ice. Then add club soda, some watermelon juice, and a bit of lime juice. Some freshly squeezed orange juice is also lovely. Adjust the flavor with more juices, as desired. And add a sprig of fresh mint for fun flair!
Want your drink more tart? Then squeeze in some extra lime.
Or maybe you prefer more sweetness? Watermelon can vary greatly in flavor and sweetness, so adjust as needed. If your watermelon isn’t especially sweet, or if you simply like a sweeter drink, stir in some simple syrup, agave syrup, or honey.
Add some heat. I have a habit of adding a bit of heat to my cocktails, most likely some jalapeno. If you also like heat, muddle a slice or two of fresh jalapeno into the glass for a delicious spicy watermelon margarita!
Use herbs. My summer herb garden is one of my happy places, and it’s fun to incorporate fresh herbs into cocktails. This watermelon rita would do so well with a sprig of mint, basil, or thyme!
How to Add a Salted Rim
I vividly remember eating watermelon with my dad, when I was a kid. He’d come in from working in the fields on a hot summer day and sometimes all he’d want for supper was a big plate of cold watermelon. Sliced into giant wheels with the rind still on, he oftentimes sprinkled the watermelon with salt. Have you ever eaten watermelon that way? It’s no wonder I like my watermelon margaritas with a salt-rimmed glass!
To add a salted rim to your margarita: Dip the glass rim into a shallow bowl of water or run the cut edge of a lime wedge around the rim. Then immediately dip the wet rim into a shallow bowl of coarse salt. That’s it! So easy!
Serving Suggestions
This is one of my top flavored margaritas recipes for summer. And here’s how I like to drink it!
- I much prefer my watermelon margarita on the rocks. I like to drink it super-chilled, poured over ice. No blending for me!
- A rim of course salt is a MUST with this watermelon cocktail.
- When I’m feeling spicy (most of the time, ha!), I muddle a couple slices of fresh jalapeno into my margarita.
- And I ALWAYS garnish. For this particular margarita, I like to sink a wedge of fresh watermelon-on-the-rind onto the rim or plop small cubes of watermelon flesh right into the drink. I usually squeeze a big fat lime wedge over the finished drink and drop the wedge into the glass, too – I LOVE lime!
Can I Make This Into a Pitcher?
Yes! I created this recipe with stress-free summer entertaining in mind. It’s super easy to prepare a pitcher of margarita ahead of time!
Just scroll down to the “Notes” at the bottom of the recipe card, where you’ll find measurements for both a small pitcher (4 servings) and a large pitcher (8 servings).
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Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh watermelon juice see Note below
- 1½ ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- Optional: coarse salt for salted glass rim + thin watermelon wedges and fresh lime wedges or wheels for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small pitcher or jar (I use a 16-ounce mason jar). Stir it or put the top on and give a few good shakes to combine. Pour over 2 ice-filled glasses, dividing equally. Taste and adjust flavors if desired – add lime for more tartness, a bit of simple syrup or honey for extra sweetness. Watermelon can vary greatly in flavor and sweetness, so adjust as needed.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
5 stars