Watermelon Margarita Cocktail
Fresh, juicy watermelon at it’s best makes for an amazing summer libation in this Watermelon Margarita Cocktail.
I published this post several years ago and like many recently it was time for a redo. I hope the day will come when I will look at photos that are 4-5 years old and not feel like they need to be replaced but the one for this Watermelon Margarita cocktail wasn’t there. I originally made it for a 4th of July barbecue and included some blueberries in the photo…which I came to regret.
This is a SUMMER cocktail, not a one holiday cocktail!
Even without the blue touch, it remains pretty perfect for July 4th AND all summer long. Watermelon season is upon us and I can’t look at a seasonal fruit and not think about whether it would make a good margarita. Watermelon? Why yes, yes it is! This one was great with Dobel Tequila; a favorite of mine.
My only caveat? Try to find a really good one; I got mine at Whole Foods and was happy with it but I’m betting I would have been even happier with one from a farm stand.
Even though I’m republishing today and the 4th of July was 10 days ago, I wanted to keep this photo. Sometimes we get so swept up in today’s politics it can be easy to forget, we’ve forged a great country from the simplest of circumstances and I know I need to occasionally be reminded of how far we’ve come. We are so very lucky to live in these United States of America!
The Declaration of Independence, proclaiming America’s independence from England, was formally adopted by the Continental Congress on this day and the rest is history. I personally love seeing the homes with flags affixed to the front proudly celebrating this holiday. It is a symbol of a lot of things but mostly I think of it as the freedom we fought long and hard for; freedom we too often take for granted. Let’s not forget.
I recently saw some negative comments about Americans proclivity to fly a flag on our homes; during holidays or even all year round. Some might think it’s overdone but I for one love the patriotism; as long as it’s not overt nationalism; I love out country but we’re not alone in this world either!
Far too often we are categorized by small parts of the population that the world thinks represents all of us; for the most part politicians and celebrities represent none of us.
The honest, hard working people you know that care about their families, the food they eat and how they treat their neighbors. Those are the folks I’m celebrating with today and with all of the faults and problems that are bound to be associated with a country with 300 million people, we do love the USA!
It is a time to celebrate and we do it up big time with barbecues, picnics, lots of food and of course beer, sangria and light, fruit forward cocktails; actually that’s pretty true for events all summer long isn’t it?
I first made this drink trying to mimic one at a local Chili’s that was more than a bit lacking; watermelon is so much water that the flavor did not have quite the punch I wanted. After much thought and consideration (or…what red fruit did I have in the fridge?) I decided to try adding some strawberries. Perfect. They somehow magically added a lift to the watermelon without taking over the flavor.
The rest is pretty typical margarita fare but again, wanting to boost the fruit component, I used part orange liqueur and part orange simple syrup; I wanted that citrus note without all of it being accompanied by more alcohol.
The requisite lime juice and it was done. AND it was good. I have a whole pitcher made for neighbors. They don’t even know it yet…should I share that they need to come over? Stat?
More Watermelon!
- Watermelon Mint Mojito
- Watermelon Martini
- Watermelon Salsa
- Watermelon Salad with Toasted Pecans and Gorgonzola Cheese
- Margarita Watermelon Slices
- Watermelon Frosé Cocktail
- Strawberry, Basil, and Watermelon Smoothie
- Watermelon Moscow Mule Float
PIN IT! ‘Watermelon Margarita Cocktail’
Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- Zest from one orange
- 4-5 cups cubed and seeded watermelon I used a small seedless and it was just about the perfect amount for the mixture and some cubes for garnish
- 1 pint strawberries cleaned and hulled
- 1 and 1/2 cups tequila
- ½ cup orange liqueur
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
For Garnish
- Salt and sugar for rimming I mix equal parts together
- Lime slices watermelon cubes and blueberries for garnish (skip the blueberries if you want for non Independence Day cocktails!)
Instructions
- Bring water, sugar and orange zest to a boil in a small saucepan, boiling just long enough for the sugar to dissolve, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat; strain out the zest and cool completely.
- Combine watermelon and strawberries in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour over a strainer into a large bowl to remove solids.
- Return fruit juice to blender and add tequila, orange simple syrup, orange liqueur and lime juice and blend thoroughly.
- Put pitcher into refrigerator for at least 2 hours allowing flavors to meld and mixture to get cold.
- Put salt and sugar mixture on a plate. Rub the rim of glasses with a quarter lime slice and dip them into the salt/sugar.
- Fill glasses with ice and add the watermelon margarita mixture; top with garnish of watermelon cubes, berries or lime slices.
Nutrition
By the way, another fun ‘cocktail’ for today and all summer long? Margarita Watermelon. Slices of watermelon are drenched in a mixture of tequila, simple syrup and lime. So amazing. And yes, we slurped from those plates! And talk about a redo…this one must be next on my calendar! Enjoy…
Good to see this one again. It’s been really hot here (103 the other day) so cool stuff looks really enticing. This is perfect. Love the color! Thanks so much.
Ah…this would be perfect for beating the heat. I have to tell you thought that the lime sherbet mojito is dangerous…as in I want one every night! I had to make my own sherbet to accomplish that so eventually I’ll stop…but not yet!
How many drinks does this recipe make?
Oops…I had to take a look at quantities and am guessing it was 6-8 depending on the size of glasses. A cup and a half of tequila is 12 oz and from 1.5 to 2 oz is pretty typical for a cocktail so I’m making my guesstimate from that. Enjoy them…they are sure good!
Your pictures are beautiful and are making my mouth water for that Watermelon Margarita! So excited to meet you through the Colorado Blogger group!
Thanks so much Laura…bop on down to Castle Rock (just moved here) and I’ll make one for you! 🙂
Yum! And these pictures are beautiful!
Thank you…on both counts. 🙂
Love your thoughts on patriotism! I too love seeing the flags all over during the holiday weekend.
We can just ignore the naysayers then, right? Thanks for stopping by Camille.
You know I”m not a cocktail drinker but this one I could do. Delicious. And festive. I really miss the whole 4th of July bbq thing I do. I’m also thinking put this in the freezer and make it into a slushy…
I think you would love this…it’s not a strong alcohol component, so light and refreshing. I had to be careful we didn’t drink it down like water!
I want to know where you got a watermelon margarita nearby? I have watermelon in some form every day all summer.. I can’t get enough 🙂
We stopped at the Chili’s at Arapahoe and Parker after seeing the movie at the theatre there. It was good. This one is better. 🙂
I know that I would enjoy this so much, adult or kid-friendly version. Hope you enjoyed a lovely July 4th 🙂
One day you will write and let me know you are no longer a margarita virgin…and then you will go nuts! 🙂
Unti you post the Cubano, I shall very happily enjoy this gorgeous and tempting margarita!!! Great addition of the blueberries…to the top!!!
Great recipe. Made it with and without the hooch so that the kids could have some too. The solids, slightly sweetened, provided for a nice substitute for apple sauce.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Roger; I did exactly the same thing…nursing moms and kids got the hoochless version although that nursing mom was sorely tempted! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
I know this will date me but I do remember filling watermelons with booze and getting straws and fitting them together to reach the bottom back when I was in college. This is so much better!
I might remember that too…what was that, maybe 10 years ago? 🙂
Happy 4th of July, cheers!
I can see why you’ve become a bright spot in your lovely neighborhood– having drinks for adults and treats for the kids is a wonderful trait for a neighbor to have. I really enjoyed seeing your set up for this photo (on facebook) and think it turned out very well. When I take photos of glasses I seem to always have trouble with the reflection. Do you use a black reflector to help tone that down or is there another trick? Happy 4th, Barb!
I’ve done so many Holly I had to think about it a bit! Whether I’m using lights or natural light I try to position glasses to avoid glare; sometimes that means putting fabric across a window or draping it over the lights. I’ve not used a black reflector since moving here because that board was a casualty of moving and I keep forgetting to get another but in certain circumstances that can work too. Best advice I have? Practice, practice, practice. Or come over some time and we can play with it! 🙂
Thanks, Barb, I will take your advice and practice…but would love a photography lesson with you sometime. Enjoy your weekend!
Let’s plan one then; it would be fun!
This is so perfect for the 4th! I’ve had watermelon margaritas before, but never made one myself (strange, that). This looks excellent — thanks.
I’m not sure I ever had one before having this last week…but I sure love them now! Try it, you will like it. 🙂
What a refreshing way to spend the 4th, with several of these in my hand! This looks wonderful.