Refreshing watermelon mint cocktail is the ultimate summer drink with mocktail options; the same recipe I made for PBS The Great American Recipe!
Watermelon Season Is Here – Let’s Sip It!
Looking for the perfect summer drink to cool off on a hot day? This refreshing Watermelon Mint Cocktail is hydrating, flavorful, and can be made with or without alcohol.
It’s ideal for backyard barbecues, picnics, pool parties, relaxing on the porch, or even on a film set, which is where I first made it for PBS!
Who Doesn’t Love Watermelon In The Summertime!
Is there anything more iconic than sweet, juicy watermelon in the summertime? For many of us, that first bite of cold watermelon signals the official start of summer. It’s the flavor of sunshine, backyard fun, and pure nostalgia.
Back in the 1950’s, we didn’t have seedless watermelons. I remember those thick green rinds, vibrant pink flesh, and little black seeds, just like the vintage kitchens of the time, all pink, white, and black.
Watermelon was part of the season’s rhythm then, and it still is now, just a little less seedy.
Since I was a kid, when fresh watermelon became available, we knew summertime was in full swing.
Who Knew Watermelons Could Be A Drink
This watermelon drink happened by accident, and has fast become the perfect drink for a hot day in summer.
Or simply a refreshing watermelon drink for a picnic, boating or poolside gathering.
How This Watermelon Mint Cocktail Was Born
This delightful summer drink came together by happy accident. I was prepping a Watermelon Feta Salad for the 4th of July and cutting festive star shapes out of the fruit.
Not wanting to waste the juicy leftover scraps, I tossed them into the blender.
A few sips later, I had created the ultimate hydrating summer mocktail, and with a splash of vodka or rum, it transformed into a grown-up cocktail that’s hard to beat.
Move Over Mint Cocktails And Make Way For Watermelon
Back in the day, like the 50’s and 60’s, it was common to make cocktails with mint liquor.
A cocktail called a Grasshopper, popular in the south, though pretty and refreshing, was ladened with sugar and dye.
Mint Julep, though mostly bourbon, does have fresh mint muddled in.
Then, of course, since 2002 when James Bond made popular the Mojito, mint drinks became popular.
Watermelon And Mint A Culinary Marriage
Who doesn’t love the taste of cool mint on the tongue on a hot day…
Layer that, with the refreshing juice of watermelon, both sweet and abundant in juice.
I’d say you’ve got the makings for one fabulous drink, cocktail or mocktail!
Let’s Start With Fresh Watermelon Juice From A Ripe Watermelon
That first summer’s bite into a watermelon wedge, it doesn’t matter if the watermelon is cold or room temperature, it is one of the juiciest of all the fruits we look forward to in summertime.Â
Once the fruit is cut away from the rind, tossed into a blender, the most refreshing mocktail has already begun.
Watermelon Cocktail?
Add to that a splash of sparkling water with a little simple syrup, pour over ice and you could sip this all summer.
Come cocktail hour, toss in a bit of vodka and give a shake, you’ve got the most refreshing summer cocktail.
Watermelon’s Health Properties
Don’t you think watermelon season should have its own special drink?
It is certainly among the most healthful fruits of the summer.
After-all, hot summer days call for extra hydration and let’s face it, we can only manage to drink just so much water throughout the day.
With a juicy watermelon to the rescue, I’d say we can fast solve this hydration problem!
Watermelon is not only delicious but it is 92 percent water which also helps replenish electrolytes lost when sweating.
Getting children to drink enough water, especially during summer’s heat, is not always easy but fresh fruits offer a sweetness they can’t resist.
Non-Alcoholic Drink And Alcoholic Drinks Are Easily Interchangeable
Summertime sips are the best, simply because it’s hot and anything cold and refreshing makes a hot day delicious.
I can’t think of any summer fruit that lends itself to a more perfect drink, than an easy watermelon mocktail.
When freshly cut watermelon is pureed in the food processor or blender, it takes on the luscious appearance of frozen watermelon slushies. Add a little ice, and there’s no stopping this refreshing concoction!
Easy Watermelon Drinks
Toss in a few ice cubes and you may find yourself sipping on this drink all day.
Add a little Vodka and you’ve got a great drink for the grownups, without losing the flavor of the sweet watermelon.
This cocktail recipe can be changed simply with the swap of a different alcohol.
However vodka was the alcohol of choice in this cocktail simply because it compliments the watermelon best without competing with its flavor.
Easy Mint Simple Syrup
You might think that watermelon doesn’t need anymore sweetness added, and it may not.
However, a simple syrup made with a little sugar and lots of mint is almost a drink in itself.
It enhances the different kind of sweet taste of the watermelon.
The mint cuts through any sweetness, leaving the palate gently sweetened, and pleasantly refreshed.
What To Do With Leftover Watermelon
Okay, so you’ve cut your large watermelon into lots of manageable slices. You’ve portioned out what you will need for this recipe, what next?
Save the remaining slices for a fabulous Spinach Watermelon Feta Salad or puree the remaining watermelon and freeze it in Popsicle Molds.
Watermelon juice, with a slice of lime, makes for a refreshing drink to sip on throughout summertime.
Growing Mint For Summertime Cocktails
If you don’t have a green thumb, no worries. Mint grows like a weed and can actually dominate any portion of your yard.
Try putting mint in a few large pots on a balcony or deck and the mint will remain contained and provide an abundance of herbs for watermelon mint cocktails.
Don’t forget to try your hand at making some Lemon Mint Scones for a light and refreshing sweet treat, unlike winter’s heavy sweets.
How To Make Refreshing Watermelon Mint Cocktails
Step 1: Make Fresh Watermelon Juice
Cut the fruit away from the rind and blend until smooth. You can strain it if you prefer a smoother texture.
Step 2: Add Mint Simple Syrup
Simmer equal parts sugar and water with a handful of fresh mint leaves. Cool and strain.
Step 3: Mix It Up
Pour the watermelon juice into a cocktail shaker with ice, a splash of sparkling water, and your mint syrup. Shake well.
Step 4: Make It a Cocktail (Optional)
Add 1–2 oz of vodka or your preferred spirit before shaking.
Step 5: Serve Over Ice
Pour into glasses over fresh ice and garnish with mint, lime, or a wedge of watermelon.
Watermelon Cocktail or Mocktail Popsicles!
Freshly cut or already frozen watermelon made into either a cocktail or mocktail, is perfect to pour into a popsicle mold and freeze for a fabulous hot day treat!
If you’ve never had a homemade Watermelon Popsicle, then you’re in for a real treat on a hot day.
Other Unique Cocktails You’re Sure To Love!
- Sakura Sip – A unique Sake and Prosecco sip for Cherry Blossom season.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate – For a warm winter sip with peppermint vodka.
- Winter Warm Turmeric Milk Cocktail – For that first onset of autumn and the need to boost the immune.
- Blue Moon Cocktail – Because I believe in the magic of a Blue Moon.
Ingredients Needed
- Watermelon, freshly cut with the seeds removed.
- Vodka, if making into a watermelon cocktail.
- Sparkling water, if making into a mocktail.
- Lime juice and the rinds.
- Salt is often used to make sweet things taste sweeter.
- Ice as needed.
Equipment Needed
- Blender or food processor.
- Cutting board and chopping knife.
- Measuring cup and measuring spoons.
- Shot glass for measuring out the vodka.
Watermelon Mint Cocktail Or Mocktail
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Cocktail shaker
- 2 Cocktail skewer sticks
Ingredients
- 4 cups Watermelon slices extra for garnish
- 2-3 shots Vodka for cocktail
- 1 cup Sparkling water for mocktail
- 1 tbsp Sugar for simple syrup
- 1 tbsp Fresh lime juice
- 1 cup Fresh mint leaves chopped, extra sprig of mint for garnish
- pinch salt
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, place the sugar, lime juice and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan and simmer on low until the sugar dissolves. Remove, cool, strain and chill.Â
- In a food processor or blender, place the cubed watermelon, chilled simple syrup and salt. Puree until smooth. Pour watermelon juice into a large pitcher. This mixture can be kept in the fridge until ready to serve.Â
- Garnish – With the extra watermelon, cut small wedges that will fit onto a cocktail skewer stick, along with mint leaves. Or, fun shapes can be cut from the remaining watermelon and placed on the skewer sticks with mint leaves. Place over the top of serving glasses or a mason jar per person as the garnish.
- Cocktail Serving – Measure 2 cups of watermelon mixture in the cocktail shaker along with the ice, shots of vodka, give a shake and pour. Garnish with watermelon wedges and mint on a swizzle stick across the top.Â
- Mocktail Serving – Measure 2 cups of watermelon mixture in the cocktail shaker, along with the ice, give a shake, pour into the serving glass and top it off with sparkling water and garnish.Â
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