Watermelon Margarita recipe
A vibrant blend of fresh summer melon, crisp blanco tequila, and tart lime.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 2 oz Blanco tequila (100% agave)
- 1.5 oz Fresh watermelon juice (Strained from ripe watermelon)
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice (Squeezed fresh)
- 0.5 oz Triple sec (Cointreau or quality orange liqueur)
- 0.25 oz Agave syrup (1:1 ratio with water)
- As needed Sea salt and chili flake (For rimming the glass)
How to make a Watermelon Margarita
- Rim a rocks glass with a mixture of coarse sea salt and a pinch of chili flake.
- Combine blanco tequila, fresh watermelon juice, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and agave syrup in a shaker tin.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds to chill and dilute.
- Strain the mixture over fresh ice into the prepared rocks glass.
- Garnish with a fresh watermelon wedge and a lime wheel.
Garnish
a fresh watermelon wedge and a lime wheel
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve Watermelon Margarita as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the Watermelon Margarita
While the classic margarita traces its roots to mid-20th-century Mexico and the American Southwest, fruit-infused variations gained widespread popularity during the modern craft cocktail movement of the early 2000s. As bartenders began working with seasonal, fresh-pressed produce, watermelon emerged as a natural counterpart to agave spirits, offering a refreshing, lighter profile suited for warm-weather drinking.
Flavour profile
Sweet, Boozy, Citrus
Variations
- Spicy Mezcal Watermelon Margarita — Substitute smoky artisanal mezcal for blanco tequila and add two slices of fresh jalapeño to the shaker.
- Watermelon Basil Margarita — Muddle four fresh basil leaves in the bottom of the shaker before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Frozen Watermelon Margarita — Blend all ingredients with two cups of ice until smooth and serve in a tall hurricane glass.
Practise making the Watermelon Margarita in the free Virtual Bar game.