These refreshing Watermelon Margaritas are quick and easy to make and the perfect poolside companion for you this summer!
(This recipe for Watermelon Margaritas was originally published in August 2010, but was updated with new photos in 2019).
Can I just say how happy I am that it's Friday? I'm looking forward to an absolutely fabulous weekend that will involve hanging out with some of my favorite friends, having brunch with my sister and bro-in-law, and hopefully spending some quality time at the pool (yes! my new apartment building has a pool. Swooon!) OK, OK and I'll also be doing lots of work on finishing all my unpacking, so I can show you a bit more of my apartment. Next week, I promise!
Now, summer Fridays call for margaritas, yes? I was going to throw this little recipe in with my post about what I had for dinner the other night. But then I determined that it needed its own post. Because it's easy, delicious, and absolutely necessary for all of you to make. Who doesn't need more margaritas in their life? Also, the drink section of WANM has been sadly looking a little empty. It is now my goal in life to fill it up.
Seriously, one of my goals for my move is: MAKE MORE COCKTAILS. I'm not even kidding. I see tons and tons of cocktail recipes, but always find myself mixing Absolut Boston (or vanilla!) and sodas. Or just sipping on a glass of red wine. But it's summer and summer calls for fresh fruit in fun drinks. Especially in margarita form.
WATERMELON MARGARITAS RECIPE
First, I recommend you prepare the glasses. This is obviously optional and if you're in a hurry or not a fan of salt-rimmed margaritas, you can skip it. Or you can use coarse sugar instead. I love a good salty rimmed margarita! I rubbed the rims with a little bit of lime and then put the glasses on a plate with coarse salt. Then I popped the glasses in the freezer so they could chill while I was preparing the watermelon margaritas.
I recommend you keep your watermelon cubes nice and chilled before you blend the margaritas. I just keep mine in my fridge, but if I wanted a true frozen watermelon margarita, I'd freeze them. Pop the watermelon in the blender with the lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec, and blend until combined. Add ice and blend again, for about a minute, until smooth.
Pour into the chilled glasses and garnish with a little lime wedge.
Take a sip and rejoice in the fact that we still have plenty of summer left to enjoy.
I had one of these suckers waiting for Chris when he got home from work. Which made him happy and me girlfriend of the year. Except now, every day I don't have a drink waiting for him, it's like "remember that time you had a watermelon margarita waiting for me when I got home from work?" Le sigh.
This isn't really a frozen margarita, but because there's ice involved, it does have an icy froth to it, which I absolutely love. Like I mentioned, just freeze your cubed watermelon if you want this to qualify as a true frozen margarita.
This watermelon margarita would probably run you at least $12 at any bar here in Boston. But making it at home cost less than $1. And like I said, it's incredibly simple! And super refreshing and delicious... The watermelon isn't overly sweet, and tasted totally natural (you can add sugar in if you want it sweeter... You can also add more tequila in to make it more boozy).
Now if you excuse me, I'm off to the pool with one of these in hand. OK, I'm totally lying. I'm off to finish a ton of work, so I can have some fun this weekend. But I might take a quick pool break. And a margarita may just be in order later tonight.
What are you up to this weekend? Will it involve any watermelon margaritas? 🙂
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Frozen Peach Margaritas or my Blackberry Lemonade Margaritas. I also love this Fresh Watermelon Spritzer from Wanderings in my Kitchen.
Watermelon Margaritas
Ingredients
- Sea salt, for rimming glasses
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus lime wedges for rimming glasses and garnish
- 1 ½ cups cubed watermelon, chilled
- ⅓ cup silver (white) tequila
- ¼ cup Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Place sea salt on a small plate. Run lime wedge around the rims of glasses and then place glass upside down on plate to coat rims in salt. Place glasses in the freezer to chill.
- Add watermelon, lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec to blender and blend to combine. Add ice and blend for about a minute, until smooth.
- Pour margaritas into glasses and garnish with lime wedge.
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
Those 'ritas are so pretty! I'm going out for a girls night out tomorrow night. It might very well include a margarita, although I doubt it will be watermelon. You never know, though.
Rae says
I think I have eaten watermelon every single day this summer. This cocktail sounds like a great way to start the weekend!
Simply Life says
Oh what a fun drink!
Fun and Fearless in Beantown says
So if I give you my address can I have one of these waiting for me? TGIF! Hope you have a great weekend!
Erica says
I'm obsessed with watermelon right now. I love the idea behind this drink. Plus that is so awesome that the limes are "Susie's" Brunch! my favorite meal out. We're actually going twice this weekend!! And I need some major pool/relax time too. I am teaching Saturday morning and Josh's family is in town, Sunday morning is a blogger meet up!
Kelly says
I love making watermelon margaritas. They are fantastic this time of year when the watermelon is so juicy and sweet. I made them a year ago and really should make them again. No margaritas this weekend for me, that I know about, but it should still be relaxing.
Jan says
I rushed out to the store and bought all the ingredients! It will be a watermelon margarita weekend! I love your blog!
Shannon Marie says
YUM! I love any cocktail made with fresh fruit! I have a recipe for a orange creamsicle martini that I'm dying to try. My weekend plans include, out for a date night dinner tonight... brunch tomorrow and hopefully hitting up the SOWA Open Market on Sunday. It's food truck day!
Daisy says
this looks awesome Sues. You are such a great gf/roommate 😉 Looking forward to more drink creations!
Claudia says
Well... I hadn'tplanned on a Margarita but you twisted my arm...
Chef Dennis says
oh my.....its margarita time!! what a wonderful margarita, I have never had a watermelon drink this sounds delicious!
sophia says
Well, Margaritas is a must when you have a lot of work to do...but I hope you got in some personal pool time too!
Watermelon margarita...now that's genius. So perfect for summer!
joan says
Wine, no margaritas. 🙂 Saturday we are making peach jelly. My brother brought us lots of peaches from his tree. My husband said he would peel. Hopefully he won't back out. 🙂
Sunday we are going to Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma.
Fun week-end!
You have fun too!
Joanne says
I think margaritas should be ingested every day. not just Fridays. These look so tasty!
emily says
umm, can i come over for a margarita?! those look perfect for a hot summer night!
DianaHayes says
Watermelon margarita sounds like just the thing for a hot summer day - really cool and refreshing.
Culinary Cory says
This sounds crazy delicious! I don't post nearly enough beverages on my site. I just might have to try this one out soon.
Kerstin says
I SO wish I had one of these right now - it looks incredibly refreshing! I need to work on more drinks recipes too 🙂
Travel Eat Love says
Yum! Looks like it's time for a cocktail party, "Susie". 🙂 I love watermelon, I love margaritas, these look amazing.
I am having a low key at home weekend and loving it!
vanillasugar says
ok those are just fab. must have. love it!
Elina says
This cocktail sounds really fantastic. I also feel like I should make more cocktails but wine usually wins. Making sangria for my last bbq inspired me - everyone loves a good drink. I bet watermelon margaritas would be mighty popular at a party 🙂
Tokyo Terrace says
This looks so refreshing today! I love watermelon cocktails ONLY when fresh watermelon is used. Nothing beats the refreshing flavor and beautiful color. Lovely margarita!
my little expat kitchen says
Your margarita looks beautiful Sues 🙂
Sharon says
Watermelon Margaritas...OMG, I made these yesterday and they were fantastic! Perfect for a warm summer evening... and even better than their delicious taste was their beautiful pink, frothy color. These will definitely stay on my summer cocktail list. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Elina (Russian Bites) says
Just made this for a dinner I'm going to. OH YEAH! 🙂
Janice says
Watermelon margaritas and BBQ nachos. Absolutley wonderful! Smash hit for someone that doesn't even like watermelon. Thank you for the post!
Deanna Ivey says
Love this recipe...cant wait to try this weekend....from NC
Lee Ann says
I had my first watermelon - rita at Outback Steakhouse last night and OMGOSH!! These were soooooo good! I want to try and make your recipe now, it sounds great! Thank you so much for posting this on your blog. This is my first visit and your blog is terrific!