These easy, refreshing watermelon cocktails get an earthy note from fresh rosemary and a hint of brightness from tart lemon juice. Made with vodka and homemade watermelon juice and ready in under 20 minutes - the perfect summer cocktail! Vegan, Vegetarian.
Ok. Who else is MELTING this week? ????????
It's HOT here. Hot and sticky and humid and drought-y and HOT a couple more times. And don't get me wrong - I love Summer - but even my sunshine-loving self is a little bit like "FOR SERIOUS, MOTHER NATURE? LET'S CRANK THIS PUPPY DOWN A FEW DOZEN DEGREES."
Fortunatelyyyyyy, summertime means summer produce, and summer produce means summer cocktails (OH HI THERE, TASTY WATERMELON DRINK), and summer cocktails mean YUM which means I also just MIGHT be able to forgive this heat wave we've been having the last few months.
These easy rosemary watermelon cocktails are so refreshing, which is exactly what I've been needing lately.
If you're looking for the heavier, deeper flavors of something like my Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade, you won't find that here - but you WILL find a drink that's basically an air conditioner in a cup.
With vodka. (See also: This blackberry vodka tonic recipe.)
We start with homemade watermelon juice (AKA my new favorite thing ever out of all the things ever). OBSERVE ⬆⬇⬆⬇.
This watermelon juice is actually the easiest thing EVER to make. OBSERVE:
Step 1: Put watermelon in food processor.
Step 2: Blend watermelon in food processor.
Step 3: Strain blended watermelon.
Step 4: WATERMELON JUICE OMG.
Next, we get a lil' fancy and put the watermelon juice in a shaker with some vodka (HEY-OH), a little lemon juice, and some fresh rosemary.
(PS, if you hadn't already noticed, I'm a TEENSY bit obsessed with putting herbs in my cocktails - see these Strawberry Thyme Cocktails as Exhibit A - because herbs = THE BEST and cocktails = THE OTHER BEST).
The rosemary here adds juuuuuust a little somethin'-somethin' to this cocktail - a nice earthy note to counteract the light, bright watermelon and lemon flavors.
If you wanted to sweeten these up a bit, you could do a quick simple syrup and add it to the mix (or add things like berries or extra herbs!) You could also sub whiskey or bourbon for the vodka or add some fresh berries, peaches, and white wine to do this more sangria-style. This quick, 4-ingredient drink is really just a starting point - like always, make any adjustments you like to find your perfect cocktail combination! You could also nix the alcohol entirely and serve this lemonade-style for a refreshing drink even the kids can enjoy.
What are some of your favorite drinks for hot summer days?? (Or, y'know, favorite ways to just NOT MELT when it's this hot outside?) Drop me a comment and let me know! And then make these rosemary watermelon cocktails.
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Cocktails
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Makes 4 cocktails 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade watermelon juice cocktails - like air conditioning in a cup!
Ingredients
FOR THE WATERMELON JUICE:
- 1 cup diced watermelon (rinds removed)
FOR THE WATERMELON COCKTAILS:
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ cup vodka
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup watermelon juice (see above)
- 4 small lemon wedges (optional, for garnish)
- 4 small watermelon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
FOR THE WATERMELON JUICE:
- Place chopped watermelon in a food processor. Blend until watermelon is smooth.
- Place a wire strainer over a large mixing bowl and strain watermelon juice into the bowl. You may need to strain the juice more than once to remove all of the solid pieces - you want a smooth watermelon juice!
- Set juice aside.
FOR THE WATERMELON COCKTAILS:
- Add rosemary to a large cocktail shaker and muddle with a spoon to start releasing some of the flavor.
- Add vodka, lemon juice, and watermelon juice to cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake to chill.
- Put a handful of ice in each of four drinking glasses and divide watermelon cocktail evenly between glasses. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, a lemon wedge, and a watermelon slice (optional) and serve immediately.
Notes
You can make the watermelon juice up to a week ahead of time - just store strained juice in an airtight container (I like mason jars!) in the fridge until you're ready to use it. For bonus points, put a sprig of rosemary in the container with the watermelon juice while you store it to infuse some extra rosemary flavor.
Use whiskey in place of vodka for a fun twist on this watermelon cocktail!
No rosemary? Try fresh basil or mint leaves.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 83
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 1.1 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cocktails, spirits, summer
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!