The Watermelon cocktail recipe
for your table
Purée the watermelon in the blender and strain the juice; leave the fibers behind.
Add the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and sugar syrup with ice to the shaker.
Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a long drink glass filled with ice cubes.
Slap the mint once between your hands and place it on top. Garnish with a small triangle of watermelon.
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The story
Watermelon in cocktails is not a classic tradition but a fairly recent discovery, and the reason is practical: it was only with the advent of good blenders that it became easy to turn it into juice. Before that, you had to press or grate the fruit, which no one does for a single glass. By now, watermelon is on almost every summer menu, as a margarita, a spritz, or a frozen version. The fruit itself goes much further back: watermelon has been cultivated in Northeast Africa for four thousand years, originally not for its taste but because the fruit contained drinking water that stayed good for months.
The right glass
This cocktail is meant to be enjoyed slowly over a long time on a warm day, so you want a large glass with plenty of ice: a highball glass of 40 to 47 cl. The tall, narrow shape keeps the pink color intense. In a wide glass, watermelon juice quickly looks pale. Clear, colorless glass is a must here. Serving outdoors? Choose a sturdy, thick-walled model; it will withstand the garden table better than thin crystal.
Bormioli Rocco Diamond Highball Glass 47 cl (6 pieces)
Duralex Picardie Highball Glass 36 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 40,90.
The right tools
For a Watermelon cocktail, besides the glass, you use a shaker, a jigger for precise measuring, a fine strainer for double straining, a citrus juicer, and glass straws. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find them all in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
With crushed ice, drink through a straw
Glass set (our choice 01) + 5 bar tools together € 88,70.
What do you make a Watermelon cocktail with?
For a Watermelon cocktail, you need the right base. On every drink page, you can read the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it pairs with, and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
Replace the vodka with tequila and add a salt rim: watermelon margarita. With white rum and extra mint, you get a watermelon mojito; with prosecco, a light spritz. A few cubes of feta or a pinch of salt in the shaker may sound strange, but they enhance the sweetness of the melon. Salt and watermelon are a tried-and-tested pairing. More inspiration? Browse all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Freeze the watermelon in cubes and use them instead of ice: your cocktail will not be diluted but will become more concentrated as they melt. Always strain the juice, as the fibers make the drink cloudy and thick. Making a large pitcher? Strain and mix it beforehand, but add the lime juice at the last moment; otherwise, the color will turn orange within an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a watermelon cocktail?
A 40 to 47 cl highball glass. View our highball glasses.
How much juice do you get from a watermelon?
Approximately 6 to 7 cl of juice per 100 grams of flesh. So for one cocktail, you need a sizeable wedge; allow for half a melon for a pitcher serving four glasses.
Can you use ready-made watermelon juice?
You can, but fresh is by far the best. Watermelon quickly loses its fresh character after pressing; pasteurized juice tastes noticeably flatter and sweeter.
Can you make it alcohol-free?
Yes, and this is one of the best mocktails out there. Leave out the vodka, top up with sparkling water, and keep the lime juice and mint.
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