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17 Watermelon Cocktails That You'll Make On Repeat This Summer

We carried a watermelon...to make these amazing watermelon cocktails!

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frozen watermelon margaritas
Parker Feierbach

Watermelon is for any time and nearly any meal. It goes into some of our favorite salads (ahem, watermelon feta salad) and tastes amazing when grilled or in a watermelon salsa. Hell, it's even incredible as a watermelon pizza (!).

But when it's hot outside, there's nothing we love to do more than blending up a cool, refreshing watermelon cocktail. The sweet fruit is everywhere in the summer and blends beautifully with all types of alcohol. So whether you're a rum, tequila, or gin person, we've collected all our favorite ways to use the summertime fruit. We will gladly carry a watermelon to make all of these drinks.

First things first: When you bring your melon home, be sure to reserve some watermelon cubes for freezing. Those frozen cubes will make sure you're cocktail ready for any of our blended drinks, as they keep your drinks smooth and not too icy. (Your future frozen watermelon margaritas and frozen watermelon mules will thank you.)

What if you'd rather eat your watermelon? Well, we've got some of the cutest watermelon shots around that will help keep the party going. You can go big with our giant watermelon Jell-O shots or stick with bite-sized shots with these lemon-lime watermelon shots.

Infusing slices of the fruit with your favorite alcohol is maybe the easiest way to get a buzz with watermelon. All you need is an hour of soak time for mojito watermelon or margarita watermelon. The best part? You can use all that remaining liquid to make a watermelon mojito!

1

Frozen Watermelon Margaritas

frozen watermelon margarita
Parker feierbach

Newsflash: This might be the most refreshing margarita you'll ever drink. Frozen watermelon cubes make this delightfully slushy, but if you forget to freeze them overnight, don't fret! Two hours in the freezer will do the trick.

Get the Frozen Watermelon Margaritas recipe.

2

Frozen Watermelon Mules

frozen watermelon mules
Brandon bales

There's really nothing like a crisp and spicy, ginger-lime Moscow mule. What's even more refreshing? The copper mugs gives the chilled drink an extra-cool sensation.

Get the Frozen Watermelon Mules recipe.

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3

Margarita Watermelon

margarita watermelon
Emily hlavac green

OK, OK, technically this isn't a sippable cocktail—it's even better: We soak watermelon slices with all the ingredients of a margarita (tequila, lime juice, triple sec) for the perfect perfect BBQ drink and snack. Save the leftover liquid from soaking for frozen watermelon margaritas.

Get the Margarita Watermelon recipe.

4

Watermelon Sangria

watermelon sangria

Scooping out the watermelon might get a little messy, but we promise it's worth it. This big-batch summer cocktail will come together in no time, and serving it right out of the watermelon is a surefire way to impress all your guests. Any bottle of white wine will work here, but we love it with moscato.

Get the Watermelon Sangria recipe.

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5

Watermelon Mimosas

watermelon mimosas
Chelsea lupkin

This refreshing spin on a mimosa is especially great for brunch, but also makes a perfect ending to a summer evening. Tart lime, refreshing watermelon, and bubbly all in one.

Get the Watermelon Mimosas recipe.

6

Watermelon Piña Coladas

watermelon pina coladas
Erika LaPresto

Mix up this riff on your favorite tropical piña colada. We combined the classic mix of pineapple and white rum with watermelon to really bring the tropics home. Pro tip: Blend up frozen watermelon instead of ice to get an even smoother cocktail.

Get the Watermelon Piña Coladas recipe.

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7

Boozy Sour Watermelon Slushies

boozy sour watermelon slushies
Joe Spit

For when you just can't get enough of arguably the best Sour Patch Kids flavor. Feel free to infuse any of your favorite flavor of the candy in vodka, too. You really can't go wrong.

Get the Boozy Sour Watermelon Slushies recipe.

8

Watermelon Daiquiri

watermelon daiquiri group
Ethan Calabrese

This stupid-easy recipe requires zero ice. Frozen watermelon cubes do the job on their own. Double down on the watermelon by swapping in watermelon rum!

Get the Watermelon Daiquiri recipe.

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9

Watermelon Gin Martini

watermelon gin martini
Charlie gillette

We're always here for feeling fancy sipping from a martini glass, especially when there’s fresh watermelon involved. So we shook up this gin martini with vermouth, agave, and two whole cups of fresh watermelon juice for the perfect flavor of summer. Don't forget sugar for the rim!

Get the Watermelon Gin Martini recipe.

10

Lemon-Lime Watermelon Shots

lemon lime watermelon shots
Parker Feierbach

When life gives you lemons don't make lemonade—make these Jell-O shots ;) Hollowing out the lemons might take a bit more time than your average Jell-O shot, but the end result is totally worth it. While you're at it make some of our other watermelon Jell-O shots, too!

Get the Lemon-Lime Watermelon Shots recipe.

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11

Boozy Watermelon Slushie

watermelon slushies beauty single
Jonathan Boulton

Sweet and creamy, this is one of our most most refreshing cocktails ever, thanks to lime juice and coconut.

Get the Boozy Watermelon Slushie recipe.

12

Watermelon Sangria

watermelon sangria
Ethan calabrese

Sangria can often be overly sweet or an odd mix of too many fruits. Simplify the summery cocktail with some lime zest and juice, which adds some nice punch to keep the drink bright.

Get the Watermelon Sangria Recipe.

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13

Vodka Watermelon Coolers

vodka watermelon coolers
Brandon bales

Sweet, refreshing homemade watermelon juice and sour apple pucker are key to this easy-drinking cooler. Blending up watermelon is the quickest way to make your own juice; just make sure to strain the seeds.

Get the Vodka Watermelon Coolers recipe.

14

Giant Watermell-O Shot

watermelon jello shot
Ethan Calabrese

This party-size watermelon Jell-O shot is the party. Be sure to save all the juicy watermelon for frozen watermelon mules and watermelon daiquiris!

Get the Giant Watermell-O Shot recipe.

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15

Watermelon Moscato Slushie

watermelon moscato slushie

When it comes to summer cocktails, nothing is as refreshing as watermelon. This easy recipe comes served inside a hollowed-out watermelon, which makes it taste even better (obviously) and means you don't have to share.

Get the Watermelon Moscato Slushie recipe.

16

Watermelon Jell-O Shots

watermelon jell o shots
Brad Holland

Mini chocolate chips as seeds? Genius. Letting the Jell-O shots set slightly before adding the chocolate chips helps distribute them evenly. If you don't want to bother (or really need a shot!), just press them on top before serving.

Get the Watermelon Jell-O Shots recipe.

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17

Spiked Watermelon Lemonade

spiked watermelon lemonade
LAURA REGE

When the temperature rises, there's something so satisfying about a spiked lemonade. This version is big on watermelon, our favorite thirst-quenching summer fruit. If you're short on lemons, or want to mix it up, lime juice would also be delicious!

Get the Spiked Watermelon Lemonade recipe.

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