Sparkling Watermelon Mint Vodka Cocktail

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If you’re in the mood for a summer cocktail featuring fresh watermelon, this 4-ingredient Watermelon Mint Vodka Cocktail is as easy and delicious as it gets! You can whip up this grown-up version of a summer slushie in under five minutes. 

A bit like a Mexican watermelon agua fresca with kick, it’s made with sweet pureed watermelon, fresh mint and chilled vodka. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy poolside or on a patio on a hot summer day! 

Why We Love This Watermelon Cocktail Recipe 

• It’s got pure and simple natural ingredients with no complicated infusions or syrups. 
• You likely have everything you need on hand to make this fresh watermelon vodka drink! No need to scour the store for exotic ingredients!
• As you can guess from its name, watermelon fruit is loaded with water and electrolytes which are just what your body needs after a long, lazy day in the sun.
• Its pretty pink colour positively screams summer so it’s perfect for a pool party, Canada Day or Fourth of July celebration. 

Ingredients

Fresh Watermelon – The fruit infuses its flavour into the liquid so look for sweet, ripe, seedless watermelon. Choose a whole watermelon that hasn’t been damaged or have visible signs of decay. 

Fresh Mint – Fresh herbs elevate this vodka cocktail from the everyday. Look for mojito mint or hierba buena (spearmint) for the biggest burst of flavour.  

Vodka – For the best watermelon drink with vodka go with names like Crystal Head Vodka, Grey Goose, Ketel One, SKOL and Tito’s. They’re some of the most popular vodkas on the market due to their smooth and velvety flavour. 

Sparkling Flavoured Water – A bubbly mixer adds a refreshing effervescence to your watermelon cocktail. Brands such as LaCroix or PC Blue Menu Watermelon Sparkling Water feature natural watermelon flavour and are low in calories and sodium. 

Step by Step Instructions

Please scroll down to the recipe card for the exact quantities of ingredients and full method. 

 

1. Wash the watermelon throughly before cutting into slices. Reserve a few slices of watermelon for garnish and cut the rest into pieces, discarding the rind. 
2. Fill a blender about three-quarters of the way with watermelon. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour the pureed watermelon into a fine-mesh sieve over top of a large bowl to strain out the pulp and seeds. Press down lightly to help extract all the juice. 
4. Gently massage a sprig of fresh mint in your hands to release some of its aromatic oils
5. Fill your favourite glass with ice.
6. Pour in the watermelon juice.
7. Add the chilled vodka. Top with sparkling water and stir.
8. Add sprigs of fresh mint, submerging them into the drink. Garnish with additional mint and a slice of fresh watermelon. 

Please enjoy responsibly! 

How to Serve This Watermelon Vodka Drink 

• Serve in a tall, clear glass garnished with a slice of watermelon and mint.
• Much like classic Mexican agua frescas (refreshing drinks made of fresh fruit and water), this sparkling watermelon mint cocktail pairs well with summer party foods.
• I love serving fresh watermelon drinks with  chicken tostadas, Mexican salpicón de pollo (shredded beef and mint salad) and homemade guacamole with crispy tortilla chips. 
• It’s an easy drink to serve at picnics or when boating at the cottage. 

Tips and Variations 

• When slicing mango, watermelon and cantaloupe for cocktails, use a cutting board that’s used exclusively for fresh fruit. Delicate fruits can absorb strong flavours such as garlic and onion even if the board haws been throughly washed. Another option is to cover the cutting board with waxed or plastic paper before slicing the fruit. 
• Watermelon seeds are edible (and actually good for you!) so don’t worry if you blend some seeds into your drink.  
• Fresh watermelon goes really well with vodka, but you can easily substitute gin or mezcal. 
• Several brands have added fruit flavours to their vodkas. So for an extra boost of summery flavour you can swap in a watermelon vodka for regular vodka. Absolute Watermelon Vodka is a great one to try as it’s crafted with natural ingredients and zero added sugar.  
• Swap in lime flavoured sparkling water for watermelon. 
• For another ruby-hued summer drink, try the Dirty Shirley, also made with vodka but garnished with  fun maraschino cherries.  

Fresh Watermelon Food Safety 

It’s important to follow food safety guidelines when handling melons. Here are some tips from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Melon Food Safety Guideline:

• If whole melons have visible signs of decay or damaged rinds (such as cracking or mechanical injury), they shouldn’t be used in fresh recipes due to the increased risk of foodborne illness. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Do not buy fresh-cut watermelon that isn’t refrigerated.
• In order to reduce the risk of food borne illness, whole watermelons used for fresh-cut melon recipes should be washed thoroughly before cutting or peeling. In Mexico or other places where water quality may be suspect, use Microdyne or an antibacterial solution to wash the melon before cutting. Do not soak it for long periods of time.  
• Wash and sanitize all cutting boards and utensils that contact cut melons. 

Storing Watermelon 

• Store whole watermelon on the counter for up to three days or in the fridge for up to five days. 
• Store cut-up pieces of watermelon in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days.
• Wrap uncut parts of watermelon in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to seven days. 
• To maintain quality and avoid chilling injury, optimal storing temperature for whole watermelon is 10° – 15°C (50° – 59°F).
• To reduce the risk of food borne illness, cut watermelon should be stored at 0° – 5°C (32°- 41°F).  
• Watermelon should be stored separately from raw meat, poultry or fish in the fridge. 

More Summery Cocktails to Try 

• Mango Strawberry Lemonade 
• Venetian Blush Cocktail – Campari and Orange Cocktail 
• Apple Cider Mojito 
• Sparkling Bourbon Peach Punch

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