This Simple Watermelon Margarita Recipe is exactly what you need this summer! A refreshing cocktail that is easy to prepare, incredibly delicious, and a fantastic complement to summer barbecues or poolside gatherings!
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Margaritas have always been one of my favorite indulgences, and believe me, this fresh watermelon margarita is the ideal summer drink! A tasty mixture of fresh watermelon juice, my chosen tequila, a splash of orange liqueur, and a hint of honey for sweetness. Perfect for sipping by the pool, hosting dinner parties, or simply unwinding on the back deck. The ultimate refreshing beverage on a scorching summer day!
Why You’ll Adore This
- The BEST taste – fresh watermelon provides a natural sweetness that is crisp and hydrating without being overly sweet. Combine it with the other ingredients for the ideal flavor balance!
- Gorgeous color – these lively pink margaritas are guaranteed to enhance any celebration and make a stunning presentation.
- Simple to create – you only need a few ingredients and a blender! Quick and incredibly easy to prepare.
- Lower in calories – this watermelon margarita consists of just a handful of simple ingredients and no added sugars. Far healthier than those overly sugary cocktails found in restaurants, no bottled margarita mix here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- watermelon – the star of this margarita! You’ll need two generous cups of ripe watermelon cubes, which you will blend and then strain through a fine-mesh strainer. I recommend using seedless watermelon.
- limes – you cannot have a margarita without fresh lime juice! Ensure you use freshly squeezed lime juice rather than bottled juice; it makes a significant difference in flavor. I also enjoy adding a fresh lime wedge to the cocktail when serving.
- tequila – I like using silver tequila (also referred to as blanco tequila or white tequila) for this margarita, but anejo tequila also works wonderfully. You will need 8 ounces of tequila for this recipe.
- orange liqueur – I appreciate a classic margarita and always include a bit of triple sec, Grand Marnier, or Cointreau in mine. For this recipe, I used 3 ounces of triple sec, but feel free to use whatever is available to you.
- honey – combine a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of warm water to create your own simple syrup for lightly sweetening this watermelon drink! You could also opt for agave syrup or maple syrup.
- salt – salting the rim is optional; you can use traditional margarita salt or kosher salt. Consider adding a bit of Tajin or chili lime seasoning to the rim of the glass for an elevated margarita experience!
How to Craft a Watermelon Margarita
This delightful pink cocktail might just be the simplest thing you make all summer! Oh, and it’s the most delicious!
- Blend the watermelon. First, chop the watermelon into cubes, discarding any sizeable seeds, and blend the cubes in a high-speed blender until juiced. Then, strain the watermelon puree through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring cup to remove the pulp. You should yield about 1 to 1 ½ cups of juice.
- Shake it up! You may need to do this in two batches, but in a large cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid, add fresh ice, the strained watermelon juice, 8 oz tequila, 3 oz triple sec, lime juice, and honey (mix 1 Tbsp of honey with 1 Tbsp of warm water first to prevent clumping). Shake well. Alternatively, you can simply mix all ingredients in a small pitcher with ice, whichever is easier!
- Salt your rim. On a small plate or shallow dish, place a little lime juice or water and pour salt on another plate. Dip the rim of each glass in the lime juice or water, then into the salt. You could also incorporate a bit of Tajin or chili lime seasoning if you wish to enhance these margaritas!
- Serve and revel! Add ice cubes to your prepared glass and pour in the mixed watermelon margarita. Garnish with a small watermelon wedge and additional lime – my go-to cocktail on a warm day!
And that’s all there is to it! A few straightforward steps unveil refreshing margaritas. This recipe yields a small pitcher (about 4 generous servings), but if you want to prepare a larger pitcher for a crowd (which I highly suggest!), feel free to double this recipe. No need to shake; simply combine all your ingredients in a pitcher with ice and stir.
Can I Create this Without Alcohol?
You absolutely can! Just swap the tequila with sparkling water (or even diet soda) and mix everything together. You might also incorporate a splash of fresh orange juice in place of the triple sec for even more flavor.
Can I Prepare Spicy Watermelon Margaritas?
Of course! I adore a good spicy margarita, and this one would be delicious with a jalapeño kick! Simply remove the seeds and add chopped jalapeño to the blender with the watermelon chunks to blend. You could also mix in a few jalapeño slices into your finished margarita to let the spice infuse into your drink. Either way, a spicy watermelon margarita would be fantastic! As mentioned earlier, adding a hint of Tajin or chili lime seasoning to the rim of your glass is a fun, spicy element too.
To create a frozen version, simply freeze watermelon chunks in the freezer for a few hours and blend them with the remaining ingredients for a delicious frozen watermelon margarita! This recipe also makes amazing adult popsicles 😉
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Hope you all relish these Fresh Watermelon Margaritas! Next up, we’ll whip up strawberry margaritas, hehe. If you enjoy these as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and do not forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
Put the watermelon pieces in a blender and blend on high for a few seconds until they become juice.
Strain the blended watermelon through a mesh sieve into a cocktail shaker or pitcher filled with ice.
To create the honey simple syrup, combine 1 tablespoon of honey (or agave) with 1 tablespoon of warm water to ensure the honey blends seamlessly into the margarita.
In the cocktail shaker or pitcher containing the strained watermelon juice, add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and honey. Mix until ice cold.
To salt the rim, place a little lime juice or water on a small plate and add salt to another plate. Dip the rim of each glass in the lime juice or water, then into the salt.
Fill with ice and pour the shaken margarita into each glass. Serve and savor!
Serving: 1margarita | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.5g | Sodium: 0.8mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14.5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**How to Create a Simple Watermelon Margarita**
Watermelon margaritas offer a refreshing twist on the classic beverage, ideal for summer parties or a cozy night in. With their vibrant hue and sweet, tangy flavor, these margaritas are set to impress. Here’s a step-by-step guide to whipping up a simple watermelon margarita.
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups of fresh watermelon, cubed and seeds discarded
– 2 oz of tequila (ideally silver or blanco)
– 1 oz of triple sec or Cointreau
– 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1 tablespoon of simple syrup (adjust as needed)
– Ice cubes
– Salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
– Lime wedges and watermelon slices for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Watermelon Juice:**
– Blend the watermelon cubes until smooth.
– Strain the blended watermelon through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher to eliminate the pulp, ensuring a smooth juice.
2. **Rim the Glass:**
– If desired, rim your margarita glass with salt or sugar. Moisten the rim with a lime wedge, then dip it into a plate of salt or sugar.
3. **Mix the Margarita:**
– In a cocktail shaker, mix 4 oz of fresh watermelon juice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup.
– Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds until it’s well chilled.
4. **Serve:**
– Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes.
– Strain the margarita mixture into the glass over the ice.
5. **Garnish:**
– Finish off with a lime wedge and a small slice of watermelon on the glass rim.
6. **Enjoy:**
– Serve promptly and savor your refreshing watermelon margarita!
**Tips:**
– For a frozen alternative, blend the ingredients with ice instead of shaking them.
– Adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less simple syrup according to your liking.
– Experiment with flavored salts or sugars for the rim to elevate the drink’s flavor profile.
This straightforward watermelon margarita recipe is easy to create and perfect for any occasion. The combination of fresh watermelon juice and classic margarita ingredients results in a delightful flavor balance that is both refreshing and satisfying. Enjoy responsibly!