Watermelon Margarita

This watermelon margarita recipe is the best drink you'll make all summer! Naturally sweetened with watermelon, it's easy, refreshing, and delicious.

watermelon margarita recipe

I can’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend than with this watermelon margarita recipe! It’s super easy to make (no cocktail shaker required!), and its vibrant color just screams summer. Thanks to the watermelon, it’s naturally sweet, and fresh lime juice gives it a delicious tart finish.

This watermelon margarita recipe is perfect for parties, happy hours, or any summer evening. Sip it on its own, or enjoy it alongside tortilla chips, salsa, and/or guacamole. Cheers, friends, and happy summer!

Watermelon Margarita recipe ingredients

Watermelon Margarita Ingredients

A classic margarita is made with tequila, fresh lime juice, an orange liqueur like triple sec, and a sweetener like simple syrup or agave. This watermelon margarita recipe is even simpler! To make it, you just need 3 key ingredients:

  • Fresh lime juice – Squeeze it yourself for the brightest flavor.
  • Tequila – Use your favorite blanco or silver tequila for this recipe.
  • Fresh watermelon – It sweetens the margaritas naturally. Seedless watermelon is best for this recipe. If your watermelon has seeds in it, remove them before making the margaritas.

You’ll also need ice and salt for the rim of your glass. That’s it!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make a Watermelon Margarita

These watermelon margaritas are easy to make.

Simply blend the watermelon with the lime juice and a handful of ice.

Pour the mixture into glasses filled with ice cubes and stir 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) tequila into each glass.

Taste and adjust. Then, enjoy!

Variations

  • For a spicy watermelon margarita, combine the tequila with half a thinly sliced jalapeño. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before adding it to your drink.
  • For a frozen watermelon margarita, cut and freeze the watermelon at least a few hours in advance. Blend the frozen watermelon with the lime juice and tequila to create a cool, frosty marg.
  • For a sparkling watermelon margarita, top your glass with sparkling water.

Let me know what variations you try!

Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon Margarita Recipe Tips

  • Salt the rim. Take your drink to the next level by giving your glass a salt rim! To do this, rub the rim of an empty margarita glass with a lime wedge, and dip it in a small plate of coarse sea salt or kosher salt. Fill the prepared glass with ice before pouring in the fresh watermelon juice and mixing in the tequila.
  • Spice it how you like it. If you’re trying the spicy variation, keep in mind that you can control the spice level. Let the jalapeño tequila infuse for 15 minutes, and it’ll be mild. Let it sit it for a day, and it’ll be pretty spicy. If you over-spice it, just dilute it to taste with plain tequila.
  • Taste and adjust. Whenever you make a cocktail at home, taste and adjust to find a balance of flavors you love. For more sweetness, add an extra splash of the watermelon juice or a drop of agave. For more tartness, squeeze in extra lime. If it’s too strong, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the ice to start to melt. If it’s still too strong, top your glass with sparkling water or more watermelon juice to balance the alcohol.

More Favorite Cocktail Recipes

If you love this watermelon margarita recipe, try one of these summer cocktail recipes next:

And if you have leftover watermelon, make this watermelon salad!

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Watermelon Margarita

rate this recipe:
5 from 29 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
This watermelon margarita is the perfect summertime drink! With no added sugar and just 3 ingredients, it's easy, refreshing, and delicious. I like to infuse the tequila with jalapeño to give this margarita a spicy kick, but you can feel free to skip this step if you'd like. See the post above for additional recipe variations.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup blanco tequila
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced, optional
  • 5 cups cut watermelon
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice, plus lime slices for garnish
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge and coarse salt, for the glass rims, optional

Instructions

  • Salt the glass rims (optional): Rub a lime wedge around the rims of 4 rocks glasses. Fill a small plate with coarse salt. Dip each glass into the salt to coat the rim. Fill with ice.
  • Combine the tequila and half the jalapeño slices, if using. Set aside for 15 to 30 minutes to infuse (the longer you infuse, the spicier it will be). If you're not using the jalapeño, skip this step and proceed with the recipe.
  • In a blender, combine the watermelon with the lime juice and a handful of ice. Blend until smooth.
  • Pour the watermelon juice into the prepared glasses. Stir 2 tablespoons tequila into each glass. Taste and adjust, garnish with the lime slices, and serve.

 

14 comments

5 from 29 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Joanna
    12.27.2021

    5 stars
    Best recipe ever. Seriously. Im intolerant to mixers bcuz of sulfites and additives. This is my ultimate drink. Everything in it is real. No itchy skin for me. So much thank you! Perfect proportion and no added sugar. This is the perfect cocktail.

  2. Rochelle Bochner
    06.14.2020

    5 stars
    Made this last night for a dinner party and it was a huge success! I did infuse the tequila with Jalapeno for over an hour and the tequila had quite a kick. I was concerned it would overpower the cocktail but it did not! This is going to be my “go to” summer cocktail…not too sweet and goes down smooth. It is also a lovely mocktail for those that don’t drink. I just added soda water instead of the spirits. Our guests LOVED it and all had seconds! Doubled the recipe for 5 people and have leftover watermelon juice…will use today in a smoothie!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.12.2020

      I’m so glad they were a hit with everyone!

  3. Mary Williams
    06.13.2020

    I made the watermelon margarita last night and they were SO good!! I put a couple of slices of the jalapeños in the blender. They added a little zing and were a nice touch. Thanks for the recipe!!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.12.2020

      Hi Mary, I’m so glad you loved them!

  4. matt
    08.11.2019

    5 stars
    The watermelon puree base is amazing! I filled a pint glass with ice, 50% spicy tequila and 50% puree. Capped with a metal shaker cup and shook it until cold. Strained into a salted glass filled with ice. Two tablespoons of tequila just wasn’t enough for me 🙂

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.12.2020

      Yum, I like it spicy too :). I’m so glad you enjoyed!

  5. Gil
    04.30.2019

    5 stars
    Was a hit tonight. We just thought it to be in need of a little additional *something*. First off, doubled the amount of Tequila and added Couintreau…Bingo ! 🙂

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.02.2019

      Ha glad it was a hit (and also adjustable 🙂 )

  6. Ahaan from slimnhappy.com
    09.12.2018

    5 stars
    So beautifully presented! Must say. In love with this healthy juice recipe and going to try it with my morning breakfast.

  7. Davi
    08.21.2018

    looks refreshing, must be try.
    thanks for the idea.

  8. Gaby Dalkin
    08.20.2018

    OMG, I need to try this margarita ASAP!

  9. Sabrina
    08.19.2018

    great idea and beautifully presented! Perfect compliment to summer heat, thank you for this cocktail recipe!

  10. Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite
    08.18.2018

    I love it when I already have all of the ingredients on hand to make a recipe! So refreshing and fun for summer 🙂

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Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.