These easy, refreshing watermelon cocktails have plenty of flavor thanks to fresh lemon juice and a sprig of earthy rosemary. Made with vodka and homemade watermelon juice. Ready in under 20 minutes - the perfect summer cocktail!
This watermelon juice cocktail takes "refreshing" to a whole new level. It's the ultimate summer heat wave drink when it feels like you're melting, wicked-witch-style, and a normal cocktail recipe just won't do the trick.
Start by blending some watermelon into homemade watermelon juice (don't worry if that sounds complicated - we'll walk you through it!) Shake that juice together with a bit of vodka, fresh lemon juice, and a few rosemary sprigs.
We kept this watermelon cocktail recipe purposefully light: It isn't as rich or complex as, say, our Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade, but it is basically an air conditioner in a cup. Plus, it's easy to customize or turn into a great non-alcoholic mocktail!
Ingredients
For a full ingredients list with exact quantities, scroll to the recipe card below.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice makes a huge difference here! Skip the bottled stuff.
- Watermelon can vary in sweetness and flavor. For best results, use summer watermelon at the height of its season.
- Fresh rosemary adds depth and earthiness, which helps this easy recipe feel more complex. Swap the rosemary for fresh mint or basil if you like!
Variations and Substitutions
- For a sweeter cocktail, add a splash of your favorite simple syrup, honey, or triple sec. The sweetness of these drinks will vary depending on your watermelon - don't be afraid to make adjustments to suit your taste!
- Swap the vodka for your favorite gin or tequila, or use a fruit-infused vodka (à la our blackberry vodka tonic recipe). Not a hard liquor fan? Skip the vodka and top these drinks with prosecco or sparkling wine.
- Make them non-alcoholic. Mix everything but the vodka together; top with a splash of club soda, tonic water, or sparkling water for an easy mocktail.
- Swap the lemon for fresh lime juice.
How to Make Watermelon Juice
Blend the Watermelon
Start by removing the rind from a watermelon and chopping it into rough pieces. Add a few cups of cubed watermelon to a blender or food processor (Image 1, above), and blend until you have a fairly smooth mixture (Image 2).
Pro Tip: You'll get about 1 cup of watermelon juice for every 2 cups of watermelon you blend. Depending on the water content of your watermelon, you may get a little more juice (or you may get a little less).
Pour Through a Strainer
Set a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl or measuring cup; pour the blended watermelon through the sieve (Image 3, above). The juice will start to drip through the colander into the bowl right away, while the larger watermelon pieces will get caught in the strainer (Image 4, below).
Strain out the pieces
Gently stir the blended watermelon around in the strainer (Images 5, 6), to press out as much juice as possible. When all the liquid has been pressed through the strainer, you'll be left with a tiny bit of thick watermelon pulp (Image 7).
Pro Tip: Discard or compost the watermelon pulp, or pop it in the freezer for smoothies later in the week.
Assemble the Cocktails
Shake the watermelon juice, lemon juice, vodka, and rosemary together in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice cubes, then pour into prepared glasses.
Garnish with a bit of fresh rosemary, an extra lemon wedge, or a slice of watermelon. Cheers!
FAQs
This watermelon juice will last up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator! Use it in this watermelon rosemary cocktail recipe or save it for other watermelon cocktails (or mocktails!) throughout the week.
Yes! Skip the vodka and stir the watermelon juice and lemon juice together, then top with club soda or tonic water. You can also use your favorite nonalcoholic gin in place of the vodka: We've tested and liked both Ritual Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative and the Drink Monday Zero Alcohol Gin.
Watermelon juice is delicious in so many drinks! Add it to another watermelon vodka cocktail variation, watermelon margarita, mojitos, a watermelon sangria, or aguas frescas. The best watermelon drinks can be simple: In summer, we love a glass of watermelon juice topped with a squeeze of lime and a mint sprig.
We like using vodka in these drinks because it's light and refreshing, but any lighter liquor works well here! Gin, tequila, or a light rum work well with watermelon: Their light flavors add depth without competing too much with the delicate flavor of the melon.
If your watermelon juice isn't as flavorful as you'd like, stir in a small pinch of kosher salt to help the flavor "pop"!
More Summer Cocktail Ideas
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Cocktails
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minute
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Makes 2
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Description
These homemade watermelon cocktails feature fresh rosemary and bright lemon juice.
Ingredients
For the Watermelon Juice:
- 2 cups roughly chopped watermelon (rinds removed)
For the Cocktails:
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 8 ounces watermelon juice (1 cup)
- 4 ounces vodka (½ cup)
- 4 ounces fresh lemon juice (½ cup, or 1-2 large lemons)
- Plenty of ice
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Lemon (wedges, slices, or a lemon twist)
- Small watermelon slices
Instructions
Make the Watermelon Juice:
- Place chopped watermelon in a large blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Place a wire strainer over a large mixing bowl or measuring cup; pour the blended watermelon through the strainer and let the juice fall into the bowl.
- Use a spoon or spatula to stir the watermelon as it sits in the strainer, gently pressing it into the mesh to coax as much juice as possible out of the melon. You'll be left with a small scoop of thick watermelon pulp: Discard or compost this pulp, or save it in the freezer to add to smoothies.
- Use watermelon juice immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Assemble the Cocktails:
- Fill two cocktail glasses with ice (optional - you can also serve this cocktail in a chilled glass without additional ice if you prefer it straight up). Set aside while you mix the cocktails.
- Add fresh rosemary sprigs to a cocktail shaker. Use a spoon to muddle the herbs a bit.
- Add watermelon juice, vodka, and lemon juice to the cocktail shaker. Add a generous handful of ice, attach the lid, and shake well.
- Strain cocktails into prepared glasses. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, a small watermelon slice, or a lemon twist (optional). Serve immediately.
Notes
Make Ahead Tip. Prepare the watermelon juice as directed, and store in an airtight container (we like mason jars) in the fridge for up to a week.
Use fresh squeezed lemon juice here - it makes a huge difference and packs more flavor than bottled juice from the store.
Make it a mocktail. Omit the vodka and top these cocktails with a splash of tonic water, club soda, or sparkling water.
Additions and Substitutions. Use gin, tequila, or light rum instead of vodka, or use your favorite non-alcoholic gin substitute. Swap the rosemary for fresh mint. Use lime juice instead of lemon juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 2.9 mg
- Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.8 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Rhonda
I made these over the holidays and they were a huge hit! So refreshing plus perfect colors for the holidays. These are definitely going to be a summer go-to cocktail in our house!
Team Life As A Strawberry
What a great pick for a holiday cocktail!
Jessica
Really refreshing! Made a big pitcher for company and used vodka in some and gin in others - both good. Also did a few with just sparkling water and liked that combo too!
Team Life As A Strawberry
YAY! We love the idea of making a big pitcher and customizing it for each person!