Fitness / July 27, 2023

Easy Watermelon Margarita

This Easy Watermelon Margarita encapsulate the refreshing taste of summer — a perfect blend of watermelon, tequila, and lime.

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You know that feeling during the dog days of summer when the sun is practically melting your face off and the only thing you want to do is curl up in the shade (or an air-conditioned home) and slurp on something frosty? Well, head for the shelter of the nearest tree and bring this Watermelon Margarita with you. All it takes is one sip of this refreshing cocktail to forget that debilitating heat.

And soon you’ll be inviting the whole family — no, not your family, the Margarita family. This reunion includes the Strawberry Margarita, Peach Margarita and even the darling Mimosa. Go ahead and try a Watermelon Sangria and compare it to how other drinks handle the splash of melon.

Still, what makes our West-Marg (yes, that’s what I call it) unique is that perfect combo of watermeloniness (yes, that’s also what I call it), the tang of lime, and that boozy smack of tequila which straight-up hits you.

INGREDIENTS

Don’t think you have to buy an entire watermelon for this recipe; many grocery stores sell melon cubes in convenient plastic containers.

2 cups fresh watermelon cubes
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup simple syrup
1 cup of ice
salt (optional, for rimming the glass)
lime wedge (optional, for garnish)

Utensils Needed

A blender.
A glass – a margarita glass if you have one, but any large glass like a rocks glass or an old-fashioned glass will do.
A lime juicer – to juice the limes, but feel free to simply squeeze by hand.
A jigger – to ensure the correct proportions are used.
A small plate – for rimming the glass with salt.
A straw (optional) – for those who prefer to sip their margaritas, although traditionally they are served without one.

INSTRUCTIONS

Blend

Place the watermelon cubes, tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and fully combined.

Rim

If desired, rim the glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge and dipping it in a plate of salt.

Pour

Pour the blended watermelon margarita mixture into the prepared glass.

Garnish

Add a lime wedge to the rim of the glass for a festive touch.

How to Make a Healthy / Virgin Watermelon Margarita

A typical Watermelon Margarita can run you 250-300 calories. I know, it seems misleading given it’s a fruit-based cocktail (and a fruit comprising mostly water, no less!). In any case, the calorie count might fluctuate depending on the alcohol you choose and the ripeness of your watermelon but if you want those numbers to be as low as possible, here are some tweaks:

Ditch the simple syrup: Simple syrup is a sugar-soak that adds a decent amount of calories. But if you find watermelon sweet enough by itself, then you can either use a natural, low-carb sweetener like stevia or skip the simple syrup altogether.

Choose the light side of tequila: Choose a lower-calorie tequila; there are many different kinds out there. And the best part? You save on calories without trading off the taste.

Virgin Watermelon Margarita: It’s easy enough to make this into a mocktail: just ditch the tequila and use club soda for a docile drink that’s still super refreshing.

Tips & Tricks

Choose the ripest watermelon: The riper the watermelon, the sweeter the taste. It will also be easier to blend and get that smooth texture, which is ideal for this cocktail.

Juice your limes fresh: Bottled lime juice has always tasted synthetic to me, so when it comes to my cocktails, I always go freshly squeezed. It really makes a difference in your Watermelon Margarita. Plus, you’ll get a fresh lime wedge for that salty rim!

Chill your glass beforehand: It stands to reason that a chilled glass will keep your beverage cold for longer. It’s a simple step, too: just put the glass in the freezer a few minutes before you start the recipe.

Use good quality tequila: There aren’t many ingredients in this Watermelon Margarita so the ones you do use should be top quality. Opt for a 100% agave tequila, ideally silver or blanco for its clean, sharp flavor.

Variations

Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita: Add a jalapeño slice or two into the blender and prepare your mouth for a fiery kick. This will remind you our delicious spicy margarita.

Cucumber Watermelon Margarita: What’s cooler than being cool? Cucumber. This will add some crisp coolness to the margarita’s usual flavors. I like to add cucumber when I’m making Watermelon Margaritas for those friends who think they’ve had every margarita under the sun to really wow them.

Basil Watermelon Margarita: Fresh basil, whether blended in or added as garnish, can totally redefine your drink.

Mezcal Watermelon Margarita: Mezcal can be used in place of tequila to give your cocktail a smoky feel.

FAQs

What type of tequila works best for a Watermelon Margarita?

I recommend silver or blanco tequila. It tastes fresh, sharp, and clean, and pairs well with the melon and lime.

Can I make this margarita without a blender?

No problem! Just squash down the watermelon and then mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with some ice. Strain it out into your glass for serving.

How should this Watermelon Margarita be drunk?

Sip it slowly straight from your glass and savor the flavor party. If you’ve gone for a salt-rimmed glass, each sip is gonna be a combo of sweet, tangy and salty.

Can I prepare a batch of this cocktail in advance for a party?

Definitely. Blend up the watermelon, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just remember to shake or stir it before serving.

Does this cocktail have to be served in a margarita glass?

Margaritas do go in margarita glasses, but it’s still the same awesome cocktail no matter which glassware you choose.

Serving Suggestions

Want your taste buds to totally explode? Team this cocktail with your fave Mexican munchies like nachos, quesadillas, or tacos. It’s also amazing with barbecued bites and grilled seafood. And if you’re a spice lover, this refreshing baby perfectly balances out the heat.

How to Store A Watermelon Margarita

To prep ahead of time, just blend the watermelon, tequila, lime juice and simple syrup as directed in the recipe. I would skip the ice when preparing ahead otherwise your margarita risk being watery. Once blended, transfer the mixture to an airtight container or pitcher. It should keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Ideally, you wan to blend with ice before serving.

Believe it or not, You can also even freeze these margaritas and keep them for up to a month. To serve, thaw the mixture enough so that you get that slushy consistency.