Tulo

Watermelon Vodka Cocktail Recipe

Pureeing and straining fresh watermelon gives a smooth, vividly pink juice with natural sweetness, so very little added sugar is needed, and gently muddled mint and fresh lime keep the drink bright instead of syrupy.

Prep
15 min
Cook
0 min
Total
15 min
Servings
4

Ingredients

Servings4
  • 4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded
  • 6 fl oz vodka
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp simple syrup
  • 12 leaves fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup club soda

Nutrition per serving

Calories
171
Protein
1g
Carbs
19g
Fat
0g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1Cut the watermelon into large cubes, removing the rind and any seeds.
  2. 2Working in batches if needed, puree the watermelon cubes in a blender until fully smooth, about 30 seconds.
  3. 3Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, pressing with the back of a spoon to push through as much juice as possible; discard the pulp left behind. You should end up with about 1 1/2 cups of juice.
  4. 4In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup, just enough to bruise the leaves and release their oils.
  5. 5Add the watermelon juice, vodka, and a handful of ice cubes to the shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
  6. 6Strain into glasses filled with fresh ice cubes.
  7. 7Top each glass with a splash of club soda, if using, and stir once gently to combine without knocking out the fizz.
  8. 8Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a small watermelon wedge, and serve immediately.
How to Cut a Watermelon

Tips & variations

  • Swap the vodka for silver tequila for a watermelon margarita variation; the lime and mint both carry over well.
  • Freeze extra watermelon cubes ahead of time and use a few in place of some of the ice; they chill the drink without watering it down as they melt.
  • Taste the watermelon juice before adding simple syrup, very ripe melon may need little to none, while an underripe one will need the full amount.
  • To batch for a group, multiply the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and syrup by the number of guests and mix in a pitcher, but add club soda to individual glasses right before serving so it stays fizzy.

Storage & reheating

Strained watermelon juice can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept covered and refrigerated. Once mixed with vodka and soda, the cocktail is best drunk right away since the ice dilutes it and the soda goes flat within about 20 minutes.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Chill the vodka and glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes beforehand so the drink stays cold with less ice dilution.
  • If using a seeded watermelon rather than seedless, run the puree through the sieve twice to catch any stray seed fragments.

FAQ

Can I make this cocktail without alcohol?

Yes. Replace the vodka with an equal amount of extra watermelon juice or plain water and increase the club soda slightly for the mocktail version.

What kind of watermelon works best?

A fully ripe, sweet seedless watermelon gives the best color and flavor and requires the least straining. Underripe melon will need extra simple syrup to balance the tartness of the lime.

Can I prepare this ahead of time for a party?

The watermelon juice and the muddled mint-lime-syrup base can both be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated separately. Combine with vodka and ice just before serving, and add club soda glass by glass.

Why does my cocktail taste watery?

This usually means too much ice melted before straining or shaking. Shake quickly, no more than 15 seconds, and pour over fresh ice rather than letting the shaken drink sit.

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