Boozy Watermelon Lemonade
This Boozy Watermelon Lemonade is sweet, refreshing, and perfect for summer! I make it with a blend of fresh lime juice, puréed watermelon, cucumber, and mint. It takes hardly any prep, and I can have this delicious cocktail ready in just a few minutes.
I’ll admit it, I love planning parties and making fun drinks, even though I don’t actually drink alcohol myself. My friends know the drill by now, and anytime there’s a holiday or birthday coming up, they count on me to handle the food and cocktails. I’m always happy to say yes, and honestly, I have the best time mixing things up from coconut mojitos to melon margaritas, whatever pairs best with the menu I’ve put together for the day.
Table of contents
So this one’s a fun story, one of my friends is totally obsessed with watermelon (including my watermelon truffles recipe) and asked if I could come up with a real cocktail using it. And of course, I couldn’t say no! This boozy watermelon lemonade is what I came up with, and now it’s officially part of my summer drink lineup. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and always a crowd-pleaser whether I’m pouring it into glasses or mason jars for a backyard hangout.
Why you will love this recipe
- It’s sweet and super refreshing: I make it with puréed watermelon, fresh lime juice, cucumber, and mint, and the flavor is light and clean. It’s a drink I crave when it’s hot out and I want something cool and fruity.
- Ready in just minutes: All I do is blend, strain, stir, and chill. It takes almost no time, which makes it perfect for last-minute gatherings or easy afternoons.
- Easy to make with or without alcohol: I use white rum when I’m making the full version, but I’ve also made it with extra pineapple juice or sparkling water for a non-alcoholic twist. Everyone can enjoy it either way.
- Great for serving a crowd: This recipe fills up a pitcher or a few mason jars, and the color alone makes it a fun addition to the table. I love making a batch for summer parties, backyard barbecues, or just because.
What you will need
- Fruits and juice: I use fresh watermelon and cucumber, both cut into cubes, along with lemon or lime juice and pineapple juice. These give the drink a sweet, tart, and super refreshing base.
- Sweetener and herbs: A bit of agave or simple syrup for sweetness, and packed mint leaves bring a fresh flavor.
- Alcohol or water: I usually make this with white rum, but vodka or even water works if I want to keep it lighter or non-alcoholic.
- To garnish: I like adding a lemon wedge and a few fresh mint leaves to each glass before serving.
How to make
Blend the fruit: I add the watermelon cubes, cucumber, lemon juice, lime juice, and mint to my blender. Then, I blend everything until it’s completely smooth.
Strain the juice: I pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the pulp and mint leaves. Then, I use a spoon to gently press the liquid through until only the smooth juice is left.
Add the alcohol: Once the juice is strained, I stir in the pineapple juice and white rum. Then, I add the syrup a little at a time until it reaches the sweetness I like.
Garnish your boozy watermelon lemonade: I add a few cucumber and lemon slices to each glass, then top it off with a sprig of mint and a lemon wedge. It makes the drink look just as fresh and inviting as it tastes.
Expert tip
Chill first, blend later
The best tip for this recipe is to use very cold fruit before blending. I chill the watermelon and cucumber in the fridge ahead of time so the drink turns out cool and refreshing without needing too much ice, which can water it down.
More tips to consider:
- If you do not have a blender, you can use a food processor or even a chopper or grinder to blend your cubed watermelon and cucumber. If you do not have any of those, you can always mash the fresh watermelon cubes and cucumber by hand with a mortar and pestle or meat tenderizer.
- When I’m hosting a party, I double or even triple the recipe. It’s a great way to keep everyone’s glasses full with less work.
- If I can’t find fresh watermelon, I grab a bottle of watermelon juice from the store. It’s not quite the same, but it still makes a tasty drink in a pinch.
- To beat the heat, I pour the mix into ice cube trays and freeze it. Then I pop a few into each glass before serving for an extra refreshing touch.
- For family gatherings or picnics, I make two batches, one with alcohol and one without. That way everyone can enjoy it, no matter what they prefer.
Recipe variations
- Herby little twist: Sometimes I switch it up by adding a sprig of rosemary or another fresh herb. It gives the drink a new twist without changing the main flavors.
- Extra citrus boost: I adjust the lemon juice depending on how tangy I want it. Sometimes I add an extra tablespoon or two if I’m craving a stronger citrus taste.
- Swap the spirits: If I don’t have rum or vodka, I use tequila or gin instead. It changes the flavor a little, but still works great in this drink.
- Rosemary surprise: For a unique twist, I add a few drops of rosemary extract and top each glass with a rosemary sprig. It’s earthy and goes really well with the citrus.
- Extract experiment: I’ve tried a few drops of vanilla, almond, or orange extract in the mix. Each one brings a new layer of flavor to the lemonade and keeps it interesting.
Serving suggestions
If you love citrusy drinks, this boozy watermelon lemonade is such a fun way to cool down on a warm day. I like serving it with light and colorful dishes like my cucumber avocado salad or a bowl of fruit salad for something fresh. It also goes perfectly with dishes like grilled shrimp Skewers or my chicken burrito skillet for an easy meal.
It also makes a fun pairing with snacks like my homemade guacamole with Chips or a side of Mexican corn dip if I’m keeping things casual. Whether it’s a backyard hangout or a summer celebration, this cocktail always goes perfectly with the rest of the spread.
How to store leftovers
- Store: I keep any leftover lemonade in the fridge for up to five days. I store it in a covered pitcher or an airtight container and make sure to remove any fruit slices before chilling it.
- Freeze: I like turning this into frozen treats by pouring it into popsicle molds or ice cube trays. It’s a fun way to cool off on a hot day or to toss a few cubes into other cocktails for an extra fruity touch.
Frequently asked questions
To make this into a frozen drink, I add about 1 to 2 cups of ice right into the blender with the other ingredients. It blends up thick and icy, kind of like an adult slushie. Sometimes I even freeze some of the watermelon cubes ahead of time and use those in place of the ice so it stays extra fruity and doesn’t get watered down.
When I’m serving a group, I like to pour it into a large pitcher with plenty of ice, then toss in a few lemon wedges and mint sprigs to make it look extra pretty. If I want to get a little fancy, I serve it in mason jars or tall glasses with fun straws and a small garnish bar where guests can add their own extras like fruit slices or a splash of sparkling water. It’s such a fun and easy way to serve a signature drink.
Definitely. I’ve made a non-alcoholic version many times for family gatherings or when kids are around. I just leave out the rum or vodka and replace it with sparkling water, extra pineapple juice, or even a splash of lemon-lime soda for something bubbly.
More summer cocktail recipes:
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Boozy Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds watermelon flesh seeds removed and cut into chunks
- 1/4 English cucumber cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup packed mint leaves
- 1 cup fresh lime juice or lemon juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 2 1/2 cups white rum coconut rum, vodka, or water for non-alcoholic
- 1/2 cup simple syrup or agave syrup for low calorie
Garnish:
- Mint leaves
- Sliced cucumber
- Lime slices or lemon slices
Instructions
- Add watermelon chunks, cucumber, lime juice, and mint to a blender, and puree until the mixture is smooth.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher to remove any pulp and small pieces of leaves.
- Mix in the alcohol or water, and pineapple juice.
- After that, stir in the syrup a little at a time, to get to your desired sweetness level. Stir well to combine.
- For best results, refrigerate for at least one hour before serving, so the drink is chilled.
- Before serving, add the lime, cucumber slices, and some ice.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve.
Video
Notes
Chill first, blend later
The best tip for this recipe is to use very cold fruit before blending. I chill the watermelon and cucumber in the fridge ahead of time so the drink turns out cool and refreshing without needing too much ice, which can water it down.More tips to consider:
- If you do not have a blender, you can use a food processor or even a chopper or grinder to blend your cubed watermelon and cucumber. If you do not have any of those, you can always mash the fresh watermelon cubes and cucumber by hand with a mortar and pestle or meat tenderizer.
- When I’m hosting a party, I double or even triple the recipe. It’s a great way to keep everyone’s glasses full with less work.
- If I can’t find fresh watermelon, I grab a bottle of watermelon juice from the store. It’s not quite the same, but it still makes a tasty drink in a pinch.
- To beat the heat, I pour the mix into ice cube trays and freeze it. Then I pop a few into each glass before serving for an extra refreshing touch.
- For family gatherings or picnics, I make two batches, one with alcohol and one without. That way everyone can enjoy it, no matter what they prefer.