14 Boozy Watermelon Recipes

Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco
Photo: ADRIAN GAUT

Summer isn't complete without watermelon—on its own, in a salad, or in a cocktail. Enter these irresistible boozy recipes—including a vodka-infused ice pop and a tequila "margranita"—which are perfectly suited for a long afternoon of lounging. Make a pitcher and take it to the beach or set up a drinks dispenser at your next party. Whichever way you slice it, watermelon is the ultimate summer treat, so give that fruit you probably devoured as a kid the adult upgrade it deserves.

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Coco Cooler

Coco Cooler
© David Malosh

"This cocktail is a riff on one of my favorite cold-pressed juices: a light-pink, super-hydrating concoction called Aloe Vera Wang," says San Diego bartender Lindsay Nader.

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Boozy Watermelon Slushy

Boozy Watermelon Slushy
© Philip Friedman

This twist on the frosé frenzy is spiked with sherry and Aperol.

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Mojito-Watermelon Pops

Mojito-Watermelon Pops

Boozy pops are desserts that double as cocktails. This one layers a minty mojito with vodka-spiked watermelon juice.

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Sandia Smash

Sandia Smash

Fresh watermelon is one of the most appealing cocktail ingredients. In this refreshing variation of the caipirinha, it is both muddled and used for garnish.

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Watermelon Coolers

Watermelon Coolers
© Maura McEvoy

Bronson Van Wyck borrowed this recipe from his friend Susan Mason, a caterer in Savannah, Georgia. It's potent and refreshing.

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Watermelon-Honey-Citrus Refresher

Watermelon-Honey-Citrus Refresher

One great thing about blender drinks: The machine does all the work. Adam Seger prefers Vita-Mix blenders, which create especially smooth purees.

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Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria, Del Toro Café Y Taberna, Chicago
© Tina Rupp

Sangria, a Spanish variation on traditional punch composed of wine, fruit and brandy, was formally introduced to America at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City.

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Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

When watermelon is in abundance, this is a great way to use it. Bobby Flay purees seedless watermelon chunks, then strains the juice through a sieve and mixes it with silver tequila, sugar syrup, blueberries, mint and fresh lime juice.

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In-Sandíary

In-Sandíary
© Wendell T. Webber

This cocktail's name is a play on both the Spanish word for watermelon, sandía, and "incendiary," referring to the peppery tequila and the spicy ancho chile rim.

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Watermelon-Strawberry Agua Fresca

Watermelon-Strawberry Agua Fresca

"This cocktail is a riff on one of my favorite cold-pressed juices: a light-pink, super-hydrating concoction called Aloe Vera Wang," says San Diego bartender Lindsay Nader.

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Watermelon and Ginger Limeade

fw200506_watermelon.jpg
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Watermelon-Lime Frozen Agua Fresca

Watermelon-Lime Frozen Agua Fresca
© JAMES BAIGRIE

Fanny Singer has always had an infatuation with frozen fruit. (The pastry cooks at Chez Panisse used to freeze raspberries for her; she stuck one on each finger and then ate them.) So it's only natural that she makes an icy drink with one of her favorite fruits, watermelon. This agua fresca has the consistency of a frozen margarita.

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Watermelon Margranita

Watermelon Margranita
Con Poulos

For this perfect hot-weather cocktail, Food & Wine's Laura Rege makes deliciously icy and refreshing watermelon granita, scoops it into glasses and adds a chilled tequila pour-over.

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Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco

Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco
ADRIAN GAUT

In this refreshing cocktail, Prosecco adds a lively spritz to a light, watermelon-forward margarita.

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