What to make with a watermelon and tequila? A fresh watermelon margarita, of course! An easy summer cocktail that uses minimal ingredients and quenches your thirst. Pairs best with a hot summer day (and your toes in the sand).
Fresh fruit in any cocktail is a summer necessity, right? This cocktail is light, refreshing, and crisp thanks to watermelon. Paired with lime and a smooth tequila, it is a go-to cocktail for hosting summer parties and dinner dates. A few reasons why I love this cocktail;
- It can also be made with vodka (add a splash of sparkling water and it's a refreshing spritzer)
- Who doesn't love watermelon?
- It is super easy to make with just 3 ingredients (4 if you count the sugar rim)
Also be sure to check out this espresso martini, cheers!
What's the difference between a margarita and skinny margarita?
A classic margarita is made with orange liqueur and/or simple syrup, but a skinny margarita does not use these. Typically skinny margaritas use orange juice and/or agave instead, but in this recipe we are just using fresh fruit (and grapefruit tequila) in the drink.
Jump to:
Fresh watermelon margarita ingredients
- Fresh watermelon (or store-bought watermelon juice)
- Tequila of choice
- Lime
- Cane sugar (or salt)
For exact measurements and detailed step-by-step directions, scroll to the recipe card below.
How to make a skinny watermelon margarita on the rocks
- Add cubed watermelon and lime juice to a high-speed blender and blend
- Prepare cocktail glass rim; add cane sugar and lime zest to a dish, wet the rim of the glass with a lime wedge, and place the glass upside down into the sugar and lime mixture (see photo below for reference). Once it's coated to your liking, flip right-side up and carefully add ice.
- Add watermelon juice from the blender to a cocktail shaker with ice and tequila, strain into the glass and garnish with fruit of choice. Enjoy!
Substitutions & variation ideas
Fresh watermelon; if you are short on time, don't have a blender, or you're making this when watermelon isn't in season, grab a bottle of watermelon juice (it typically can be found with the orange juice at the grocery store).
Lime juice: substitute with another citrus juice or half of a cucumber
Tequila: use your favorite. In need of recommendations? I love 21 seeds grapefruit in this. It's smooth and adds an additional citrus kick that goes well with the watermelon juice. Also bonus points for the gorgeous packaging and it's a women-owned businesses. OTR cocktails "The Margarita" is also a smooth option, with added sweetness coming from the triple sec.
Not a fan of tequila? Sub with your favorite vodka instead.
Mocktail: remove the tequila and add a few tablespoons of sparkling water (I love using lemon Spindrift).
Frozen margarita: freeze watermelon before blending
Spicy margarita: add fresh jalapeño juice and jalapeño slices.
Sugar rim: swap lime zest for lemon, orange, or grapefruit. Alternatively, replace cane sugar with salt instead.
Storage
The margaritas should be served and enjoyed immediately. For easy prep, the watermelon juice can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
📋 Recipe
Fresh Watermelon Margarita
Equipment
- blender
- cocktail shaker (or mason jar with a lid)
- jigger or shot glass
Ingredients
Sugar Rim
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
Blender
- 3-4 cups organic watermelon, cubed (place cubes in until the blender is half-full, feel free to eyeball it)
- 1 lime, juiced
Cocktail Shaker (or mason jar)
- 2 handfuls of ice
- 1 cup + an extra splash watermelon lime juice from the blender (6 shots using a jigger)
- 3 ounces tequila (2 shots using a jigger)
Instructions
Prepare the cocktail glass (optional)
- Add cane sugar to a small bowl or dish and zest about a tablespoon of lime directly into the sugar. After zesting, cut a small lime wedge and press it down lightly around the rim of the glass. Flip the glass upside down and twist the rim into the dish, coating with the sugar and zest. *check out the substitution section of the blog post for other flavor options
For the margarita
- First, cut a watermelon and add cubed pieces into the blender. Next, cut a lime in half and juice both halves into the blender (using your hands or a citrus press). Cover and blend until a juice is formed (use the juice setting on your blender or blend on high for 10-20 seconds).
- Add ice, watermelon lime juice, and tequila to a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Shake for 5-10 seconds. Strain into the sugar rimmed cocktail glass and garnish with lime or watermelon. Cheers! *for a margarita on the rocks, add a handful of ice to the cocktail glass before pouring.
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