This Watermelon Margarita is the perfect cocktail for summer! Fresh watermelon juice makes it extra refreshing and sweet. It comes together in just 5 minutes and it's a hit at every pool party or backyard BBQ. You can easily turn it into a mocktail as well so that the whole family can enjoy it!
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Why This Recipe Works
Refreshing summer favorite - This watermelon margarita is a crowd favorite at any summer party! It’s especially great for summer BBQs and pool parties on those extra-hot summer days.
Bright watermelon flavor - Fresh watermelon juice is what really makes this cocktail! You can make your own by blending up fresh watermelon in a high-speed blender. It has a very high water content which means you don’t even have to add any water, it turns into juice in seconds!
Easy to make non-alcoholic - The whole family can enjoy this drink! Sometimes it’s hard to imitate the flavor of a cocktail in a mocktail but this one is super easy to make non-alcoholic and it’s just as delicious as the original!
Great for a crowd - This margarita is really easy to make into a pitcher! The recipe makes one drink but you can easily double or triple it. The notes also include measurements for a pitcher!
Ingredients
- Tequila - Blanco or Reposado tequila are both great options for this margarita. Blanco has lighter notes of agave and citrus, while reposado tequila has notes of caramel, vanilla, and warm spices it's not as strong and aged as anejo. Most recipes call for silver blanco tequila but I always go with reposado. It's a very much a personal choice.
- Orange liqueur - Most common orange liqueurs for margaritas are Cointreau and Triple Sec. Cointreau has a smoother and stronger orange flavor and higher alcohol content than Triple Sec. It's also usually more expensive but both are great options.
- Watermelon juice - You can use store-bought watermelon juice in a pinch but I highly recommend making your own by blending fresh watermelon. You don't have to add any water or strain it. It's super easy and it has so much more flavor than store-bought! And you'll have leftover watermelon slices for garnish!
- Lime juice - Use freshly squeezed lime juice whenever possible for the best flavor.
- Simple syrup - You can use plain simple syrup which is a mix of sugar and water in a 1:1 ratio simmered for a 5-15 minutes to thicken. You can use store-bought simple syrup, agave, or maple syrup if you prefer. Keep in mind agave and maple syrup aren't mixed with water so it's thicker and sweeter than the same amount of simple syrup.
- Salt rim - You'll need a wedge of lime and fine sea salt (or Himalayan pink salt) for a classic salt rim, this is optional.
Non-Alcoholic Version
You can make a virgin watermelon margarita by using non-alcoholic spirits that mimic the taste of tequila and orange liqueur or you can skip them completely and add more watermelon juice instead and top up the drink with sparkling water or watermelon soda. I usually go with ones without any added sugar like LaCroix.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make your own watermelon juice by blending 1-2 cups of watermelon in a high-speed blender until smooth. No water or straining is needed.
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- To prepare your glass, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it in sea salt.
- Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
- Into a cocktail shaker add tequila, orange liqueur, watermelon juice, lime juice, and watermelon syrup.
- Add a handful of ice and shake vigorously until cool and frothy.
- Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over ice.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and a watermelon wedge if desired. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy this margarita on it's own or serve it with various appetizers or snacks. There are endless options for what you can serve this drink with but below are a few of my favorites to try!
- Salsa - The best dip you can serve with a watermelon margarita is fresh salsa. Serve it with any tortilla chips or some homemade pita chips. Try the cocktail with this Pineapple Pico de Gallo or this Mango Pico de Gallo.
- Dip - If you're not a fan of fresh salsas, you can serve it with other dips like this amazing 4-Ingredient Guacamole or this Roasted Garlic Hummus with crudites or chips.
- Bruschetta - This margarita is delicious with some summer bruschetta or crostini like these Cajun Shrimp Crostini, Strawberry Bruschetta, or this more classic Bruschetta with Mozzarella.
- Finger food - These Roasted Zucchini Rolls with Guacamole are the perfect finger food to serve with this margarita!
Storing
- Finished cocktail - The margarita itself is best enjoyed right away.
- Blended watermelon - If you're making your own watermelon juice by blending fresh watermelon, you can do that a day in advance and store the juice in an airtight jar in the fridge until ready to use. I wouldn't store it for longer than a day so the juice doesn't lose its fresh flavor.
- Simple syrup - If you make your own simple syrup, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to two weeks.
FAQs
If you're blending fresh watermelon to make watermelon juice, you don't have to strain it. Watermelon has a very high water content which makes the puree very smooth and thin. Plus, your cocktail shaker has a strainer so the smoothie will get strained anyway.
Yes! Just skip the tequila and orange liqueur and replace them with a non-alcoholic alternative or more watermelon juice. Top up the drink with watermelon or lime soda and enjoy!
Yes! To make this margarita in a pitcher for 10 servings, you'll need 1 ¾ cup tequila, ½ cup + 2tbsp Cointreau, 2 ½ cup watermelon juice, 1 ¼ cup lime juice (approx 10 limes), ½ cup simple syrup, and lots of ice! No need to strain anything, just mix everything in a pitcher.
Other Margarita Recipes
If you're looking for other margarita flavors to try, you're in the right place! Margarita is my favorite cocktail so I have a ton of variations on my blog and I'm always coming up with new ones. Check out the ones below for some more tropical summer flavors or head over to Cocktails to see all the latest ones! You can also check out my Frozen Pineapple Margarita for extra hot summer weather.
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Margarita
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Watermelon Margarita is the perfect cocktail for summer! You can easily turn it into a mocktail as well so that the whole family can enjoy it!
Ingredients
- 1 lime wedge
- 1 tsp sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- Ice
- 1 ½ oz Tequila (silver or reposado)
- ½ oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
- 2 oz watermelon juice (see notes)
- 1 oz lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Garnish: lime slice, watermelon wedge (optional)
Instructions
- To prepare your glass, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it in sea salt.
- Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
- Into a cocktail shaker add tequila, Cointreau, watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Add a handful of ice and shake vigorously until cool and frothy.
- Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass and garnish with a slice of lime and a watermelon wedge if desired. Enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
Watermelon juice: Make your own watermelon juice by blending 1-2 cups of watermelon in a high-speed blender until smooth. No water or straining is needed.
Non-Alcoholic version: Use non-alcoholic spirits instead of the tequila and orange liqueur or add water or more watermelon juice instead. You can also top up the drink with sparkling water or watermelon soda.
Pitcher for 10: 1 ¾ cup tequila, ½ cup + 2tbsp Cointreau, 2 ½ cup watermelon juice, 1 ¼ cup lime juice (approx 10 limes), ½ cup simple syrup, and lots of ice.
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Marta Rivera Diaz says
I love margaritas, but especially margaritas with watermelon flavor. This is a great cocktail to serve at BBQs or cookouts this summer.
Gloria says
It's the perfect summer drink for BBQ parties. Watermelon is always a hit, no matter how it is served. Great for Mexican themed dinners.
Bernice says
I've never met a margarita I didn't like but this watermelon version was exceptionally delicious and incredibly refreshing. Tequila and watermelon are a great summer combo!
Leslie says
I love that I can make this for my entire family. My kids LOVE watermelon and this drink is perfect for our family!
Kathryn says
This is my all time favorite drink! This recipe is so much better than the one from the restaurant I order these from. Thank you for sharing!
Tammy says
I love watermelon margaritas...such a delicious summertime refreshment. This is so cool and delicious!
Adriana says
It's the perfect season to try a watermelon margarita. This one is a staple in my summer grilling parties. It is so refreshing. I make an entire pitcher because you cannot have only one.
Carrie Robinson says
Watermelon is the perfect flavor for a summertime cocktail! :) This would be perfect to make and sip on our patio this weekend.
LaKita says
Margaritas are my favorite cocktail and I can't believe I haven't had a watermelon version until now. It came together perfectly and was tasty and refreshing!
Jenny says
This margarita is a keeper. So refreshing and aromatic and a sure way to impress friends. We love margaritas, and making them with watermelon is a nice change. Thank you.