Refreshing, light and fruity, this watermelon martini tastes like a warm summer evening. It’s made with actual watermelon juice (no concentrates here!) and the flavor is kicked up with citrusy Cointreau and lime juice, with a slip of simple syrup for sweetness. Vodka is our liquor of choice for this cocktail recipe, but gin can just as easily be swapped in if that’s what you prefer.
Ingredients for a Watermelon Martini
Watermelon juice: A few major juice brands sell great watermelon juice at the grocery store. Or scroll down for an explanation of how to make your own watermelon juice.
Vodka: Use any unflavored vodka for this watermelon vodka martini. If you’re looking for a nicer vodka but have zero idea where to start, here’s a comprehensive list of the best vodka brands that are available in most liquor stores.
Cointreau: Similar to triple sec and grand mariner, Cointreau is a French-made orange liqueur that livens up cocktails. It uses several varieties of oranges to impart its signature bright, slightly acidic flavor.
Simple syrup: Make simple syrup at home with a 1:1 water-to-sugar ratio. All you need to do is boil the ingredients, simmer for five minutes, let it cool, and then measure it out for this easy watermelon martini recipe.
Lime juice: A squeeze of lime juice brightens the watermelon martini cocktail. Always use fresh (not bottled) lime juice when making cocktails. The flavor is much better.
Watermelon wedge: Garnish the drink with a small watermelon wedge.
Directions
Step 1: Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker half-full with ice. Add the watermelon juice, vodka, Cointreau, simple syrup and lime juice.
Editor’s Tip: Avoid crushed ice here. Small pieces of ice melt more quickly than larger pieces of ice, which will dilute your drink.
Step 2: Shake, shake, shake!
Cover the cocktail shaker with its lid and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker, 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 3: Strain, garnish and serve
Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and serve.
TMB Studio
Recipe Variations
Add herbs: Mint and watermelon are a perfect flavor combo. Add a sprig of refreshing mint to your cocktail before serving. Basil or thyme would be lovely, too.
Swap vodka for gin: The playful juniper and citrus notes in gin create a botanical taste that pairs wonderfully with watermelon.
Change the citrus: Lemon, orange or blood orange juice can be used in place of the lime juice.
Use limoncello: Limoncello is a very sweet, citrus-forward liquor. Use it in this easy watermelon martini recipe in place of the simple syrup.
Can a watermelon martini be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can pre-measure all the watermelon martini cocktail ingredients ahead of time (just not the ice) and pour them into a mason jar or airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Stick it in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready to serve, add ice to a cocktail shaker, pour in the cocktail ingredients, shake it up and strain it into a glass.
Watermelon Martini Tips
TMB Studio
How do I juice a watermelon?
To juice a watermelon, scoop out the flesh of the watermelon and plop it into a blender. Blend on high until the pieces are broken up. Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl (bonus points if the bowl has a spout) and strain the watermelon juice through the sieve and into the bowl. Feel free to discard the watermelon meat, or use in a different recipe.
How do I pick the most flavorful watermelon?
There are a few indicators to tell if a watermelon is ripe. First, pick up the melon. It should be very heavy for its size. Test this out on a few different watermelons to pick the heaviest of the bunch. Next, look for a golden—not white—belly. Gold means it’s ripe; white means it’s not.
Give the watermelon a tap and listen for a dull, hollow sound. Again, you may need to test this on a few different watermelons to really compare. Brown scars are also a great indicator of ripeness, as well as a perfectly circular shape and not an oblong shape. Gravitate towards dull, matte skin and stay away from the shiny watermelons, too.
Watermelon Martini
Prep Time
5 min
Yield
1 serving.
Ingredients
2 ounces strained watermelon juice2 ounces vodka1/2 ounce Cointreau1/2 ounce simple syrup1/2 ounce lime juice1 small watermelon wedge
Directions
Fill a shaker half full with ice. Add watermelon juice, vodka, Cointreau, syrup and lime juice. Cover and shake until condensation forms on outside of shaker, 10-15 seconds. Strain into glass. Garnish with watermelon wedge.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 276 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
A bright and sweet cocktail, the simple ingredients of watermelon juice, vodka and lime juice blend to form a well-balanced martini. Garnish it with a slice of watermelon for a refreshing snack to end the drink with. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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