I made this drink for the first time at a backyard barbecue and ended up making three more batches before the night was over.
It’s sweet, a little tangy, and dangerously easy to drink on a hot day. Blame the watermelon for that.
This isn’t your average margarita. The watermelon takes the place of most of the sour mix, so it’s naturally sweet, lighter, and tastes like summer in a glass.
Five minutes, one blender, and you’ve got a pitcher’s worth ready to go.
Let’s make it.
What You’ll Need
- 3 cups watermelon, cubed
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Salt, for the rim
- Ice
- Lime wheels, for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
- Blender
- Cocktail shaker (or a mason jar with a lid)
- Fine mesh strainer
- Small plate, for the salt rim
- Rocks glasses
Pro Tips
A few things that make this drink even better:
- Use seedless watermelon if you can find it. It blends smoother and you skip straining out seeds along with the pulp.
- Chill your watermelon beforehand. Cold watermelon means a colder drink without watering it down with extra ice.
- Don’t skip the strain. Blended watermelon has a lot of pulp, and straining it gives you a much smoother, more refined drink.
- Salt half the rim, not the whole thing. It gives people the option to sip from the unsalted side if they’re not into a salty rim with every sip.
- Taste before you pour the full batch. Watermelons vary in sweetness, so you might want to adjust the lime juice slightly depending on how sweet yours is.
How to Make It
Step 1: Blend the watermelon
Add the cubed watermelon to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
Step 2: Strain it
Pour the blended watermelon through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or pitcher, pressing down with a spoon to get all the juice out. Discard the pulp left behind.
Step 3: Shake it up
Add the watermelon juice, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well for about 15-20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
Step 4: Salt the rim
Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it into a plate of salt.
Step 5: Strain over ice
Fill your glass with fresh ice, then strain the cocktail mixture over the top.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Add a lime wheel on the rim, and enjoy immediately while it’s still ice cold.
Substitutions and Variations
| Original | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tequila | Mezcal | Adds a smoky edge that pairs really well with the watermelon |
| Triple sec | Cointreau | Smoother, slightly less sweet |
| Fresh lime juice | Bottled lime juice | Works in a pinch, fresh is noticeably better |
| Salt rim | Tajín rim | Adds a spicy-tangy kick |
| Alcohol | Skip it entirely | Makes a great watermelon mocktail, just add a splash of soda water |
Want it spicier? Muddle a slice of jalapeño into the shaker before adding the other ingredients.
Want it frozen? Skip the shaker and blend everything together with a cup of ice for a slushy version.
Make Ahead Tips
You can blend and strain the watermelon juice up to 2 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
When you’re ready to serve, just shake it with the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice right before pouring. The juice loses its fresh texture if mixed too far in advance.
Leftovers and Storage
This one’s best enjoyed fresh, but here’s what to do if you’ve got extra.
- Watermelon juice (unmixed): Fridge, up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- Fully mixed cocktail: Best within a few hours. The ice will dilute it over time, but it’s still drinkable the next day if shaken again.
- Freezer: Not recommended, the texture changes once thawed.
A Few Extra Details
Nutritional ballpark (per serving, makes 2): roughly 180 calories, 0g fat, 18g carbs, 1g protein. This will vary based on your tequila brand and any added sweeteners.
Pairing suggestions: Goes great with grilled shrimp tacos, chips and guacamole, or really anything off the grill.
Time-saving tip: Pre-cube and freeze watermelon in batches so it’s always ready to blend whenever the craving hits.
FAQ
Can I make this in a big batch for a party? Yes. Multiply the recipe by however many servings you need, mix everything together in a large pitcher, and pour over ice as people arrive. Just strain the watermelon juice ahead of time so it’s ready to go.
Why is my drink watery? Probably too much ice in the shaker, or it sat too long before serving. Shake briefly and serve immediately for the best texture.
Can I use a different tequila for this? Blanco tequila works best since it’s lighter and lets the watermelon flavor come through. Reposado works too if you want a slightly warmer, oaky note.
Do I have to strain the watermelon juice? You don’t have to, but it makes a noticeably smoother drink. Skipping it means a more textured, pulpy margarita.
Wrapping Up
This drink is basically summer in a glass, and it takes less effort than ordering one at a restaurant.
Make a batch this weekend, invite some friends over, and watch how fast that pitcher empties.
Then come back and tell me how yours turned out. Did you try the mezcal swap? Go spicy with jalapeño? I want to know
