Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

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This watermelon vodka cocktail is a refreshing drink perfect for those hot summer days. Fresh watermelon chunks, vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup combine to create a cold, slightly slushy cocktail perfect for lounging by the pool or served at your next backyard bash.

This cocktail is so full of summer flavor, you'll want to make it for every occasion. The fresh watermelon and a hint of citrus from the lime give every sip a bright pop of flavor, and the vodka gives it just the right amount of boozy kick.

When we host parties, we love serving this fresh, fruity mixed drink alongside our orange gin and tonic cocktail for the adults and our watermelon popsicles for the kiddos.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Variations
Instructions
Recipe Tips
Storage Directions
Serving Suggestions
Recipe FAQs
More Cocktail Recipes
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Limited Ingredients: It only takes four to five ingredients to make this delicious cocktail.
So Easy: There's not much more to this recipe than pouring and blending.
So Summery: The bright, sweet flavor of watermelon and the citrus pop make a bright, fruity, summery drink.
Versatile: This is the perfect drink for any gathering, from cookouts to more upscale summer parties.

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe, and they're all available at your local market.

Seedless Watermelon Chunks: Tastes great. You can also use honeydew melon or cantelope, strawberries, pineapple, or a combination.
Vodka: Smooth with minimal flavor. You can also use white rum for a daiquiri or mojito feel, coconut rum for a tropical, beachy vibe, gin adds herbal depth if you enjoy a botanical edge, or tequila blanco for a vibrant, margarita-like twist instead.
Lime Juice: Helps to create a drink that is bright and pops. Lemon can be used as a substitute for lime, making drink a little brighter and more tart. Grapefruit juice adds slight bitterness and orange juice is a subtle citrus variation.
Simple Syrup: Adds sweetness, honey adds richness, agave syrup is milder and a bit earthy and all will work in a pinch. Omit sweetener if your watermelon is already super sweet.
Club Soda: This is optional but I recommend if you're looking for some bubbles. Lemon-lime soda, tonic water, sparkling rosé, or prosecco for a sparkling watermelon spritz and can also be used.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Variations

Kid-Friendly: Omit the vodka for a kid-friendly watermelon juice mocktail.
Spicy Watermelon Cocktail: Muddle a slice of jalapeño or add a dash of hot honey or chili-lime seasoning on the rim.
Watermelon Mint Cooler: Muddle fresh mint or basil with the watermelon juice before shaking to add more herbal flavor to the cocktail.
Frozen Watermelon Vodka Slush: Blend frozen watermelon chunks with vodka, lime juice, and ice for a boozy slushie.
Watermelon Mule: Use vodka, watermelon juice, lime, and ginger beer for a sweet-spicy take on a Moscow Mule.
Thinner Cocktail: Add some store-bought watermelon juice, cucumber juice paired with mint for a light and refreshing drink or some strawberry purée or juice to add more flavors.

Instructions

This is one of the easiest cocktail recipes you'll ever make. It just takes a few minutes and a little blending!

Step 1: Blend the watermelon chunks in batches until smooth.

Blended watermelon being strained into measuring cup.

Step 2: Strain the blended watermelon into a spouted measuring cup. Then, pour it into a large pitcher.

Vodka and lime juice being added to pitcher.

Step 3: Add the vodka and lime juice.

Step 4: Add the simple syrup.

Liquid being poured into glass with ice.

Step 5: Stir and pour into a glass with ice.

Step 6: Top with club soda for a little fizz if you like.

Recipe Tips

A high-speed blender makes quick work of the watermelon chunks, so consider using one if you have one.
Don't press the pureed watermelon through your sieve. You just want the juice. Pressing might add too many remaining solids.
Keep all your cocktail ingredients chilled to create a cocktail that's super cold and refreshing when served. This also prevents the ice cubes from melting too quickly and watering down your drinks.
Always use a fresh lime if possible for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice tends to be bitter and far too acidic.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this tequila berry cocktail, pineapple rum cocktail, white linen cocktail, bomb pop cocktail, love bug cocktail, purple rain cocktail or this pineapple margarita recipe recipe!

Storage Directions

Refrigerator: Store for up to 2 days in a pitcher.

Freezer: Store for up to 2 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before serving or serve partially frozen for a slushy.

Make Ahead: You can make this cocktail up to 24 hours in advance. Add the club soda just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet watermelon vodka cocktail is the perfect summer drink to serve alongside dishes like Margarita Grilled Chicken.
The beefy, cheesy flavor of these Cowboy Burgers is the perfect counterpoint to this lucious cocktail.
Smoked Hot Dogs have a smoky flavor that works well with the cocktail's sweet watermelon flavor.
Slow Cooker Pork Riblets are a classic sweet and savory dish that fit right in with the classic, delicious flavors of this mixed drink.

Recipe FAQs

What alcohol tastes good with watermelon?

Vodka, gin, tequila, and rum work well with watermelon, depending on the type of cocktail you want to serve.

What should I do if my blender struggles to blend the watermelon chunks?

If you have a regular blender that seems to be working too hard, reduce the amount of watermelon you add to it. Then, blend in pulses and scrape down the sides of the blender. This helps less powerful blenders fully puree the watermelon.

Is watermelon better with vodka or tequila?

Both work well with watermelon. It all depends on the kind of flavor you're going for. Vodka, tequila, and light rum all work very well with watermelon.

Cocktail garnished with a lime slice and watermelon cubes beside pitcher.

More Cocktail Recipes

Do you love serving tasty cocktails to your family and friends when you host a party? Then, check these out!

If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!