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This Watermelon Margarita recipe is quick, easy and filled with sweet and tangy fresh flavor. It's an iconic cocktail turned fruity for summer sipping.
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Our Watermelon Margarita recipe takes the classic 3-ingredient tequila cocktail and adds a fresh, fruity sweet watermelon juice, a bit of zing from lime juice, and spicy touch of Tajin.

It takes only 5 minutes to make this refreshing boozy beverage using the best tequila; perfectly served poolside either blended, frozen, or on the rocks.

watermelon margarita hero image


Fresh Watermelon Margarita

A tasty Watermelon tequila cocktail starts with fresh watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup, then simply shakes it all together and serves it in a chili lime-rimmed glass (because adding this smoky, spicy, salt rim effect to the margarita rim is a must!).

This quick and easy adult beverage is the best way to beat the summer heat and humidity at home; it’s a refreshing, thirst-quenching drink that takes minimal effort to make in minutes.

While most classic margarita recipes include simple syrup as an ingredient, you can easily remove it from this recipe and make a healthier choice for your happy hour without added sugar.

After all, watermelon juice is already naturally sweet and low in calories too, so take advantage of fresh seasonal produce this summer and you’ll find a watermelon margarita on the rocks is the perfect sweet sip.

Why We Love This Fresh Watermelon Margarita Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make at home.
  • Only uses 6 simple ingredients.
  • Refreshing, cool, sweet and tart boozy beverage.
  • Watermelon is full of vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants and its high water content is especially hydrating on warm weather days.
  • Pretty pink drink with a bright red rim.
  • Delicious cocktail recipe that you can double or triple to make for a crowd.
  • Perfect summer drink for pool parties, backyard barbecues, or Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Other Watermelon Recipes

watermelon margarita with ice

Ingredients

  • Fresh watermelon juice: Making your own juice by using ripe, in-season fresh fruit will ensure the sweetest flavor and save you money. Store-bought juice will work as well but will likely have added sugars. I always say fresh is best!
  • Lime juice: The secret to a cleaner tasting, more refreshing margarita is using freshly squeezed lime juice for this recipe.
  • Tequila: Choose a silver tequila that is 100% agave, something like Don Julio, or Casamigos Blanco.
  • Triple sec: Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier are all great orange liqueur options. (I used Triple Sec in this recipe.)
  • Simple syrup
  • Lime
  • Tajin

Substitutions and Additions

  • Trade The Tajin: Instead of rimming your glass with Tajin, you can try using chili salt (combination of 1 part chili powder mixed with 1 part Kosher salt), coarse sea salt, or kosher salt.
  • Skip Or Swap The Sweetener: I use simple syrup in this recipe because granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve in cold liquids. If you want to swap the simple syrup, agave nectar or honey are great options. However, you can skip the added sweetener altogether to make this a healthier, skinny watermelon margarita.
  • Make A Watermelon Margarita Mocktail: To make a virgin watermelon margarita, use a non-alcoholic triple sec and leave out the tequila for the perfect summer cocktail that all ages can enjoy. 
  • Blender
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Measuring tools
  • Small plate
  • Margarita glasses
watermelon margarita ingredients
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How to Make A Watermelon Margarita

Meet your new fruit-flavored cocktail: the watermelon margarita you never knew you needed this summer! Easily made in 5 minutes using sweet watermelon, each spiked sip is refreshing, thirst-quenching, and perfect for lounging by the pool.

  1. Make The Margarita: Place all ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes and shake until the drink is chilled.
  2. Rim The Glasses: Run a lime wedge around your glasses and dip it into Tajin. 
  3. Serve: Pour the margarita into your glasses and garnish with a lime slice.
watermelon margarita collage process

Tips from Our Recipe Developer

  • Add a few jalapeño slices to your cocktail shaker to make this a spicy watermelon margarita.
  • If your watermelon is fully ripe and sweet, you may not want to add a sweetener.
  • I love using fresh watermelon for this recipe, but I have made it with the bottled watermelon juice when I want a quicker and easier way to prepare these. You can find watermelon juice near the orange juice in the refrigerated section. I like the simple brand of watermelon juice.
  • To keep your margarita cool and refreshing, pour it over ice. You can also chill your cocktail glasses in the fridge or freezer for about 15 minutes before serving.
  • This recipe makes enough for 2 margaritas, but feel free to double or triple it for a crowd.

Storage Tips

  • To Store: I recommend making only what you will drink that day. If you have leftovers, you can store the watermelon margaritas in a pitcher in the fridge for a few hours to a day. 
pouring watermelon margarita from a strainer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to rim my margarita glasses?

The trick to adding a rim to a margarita is simple!
Simply pour some Tajin on a plate. Then, cut a lime into wedges and rub the wet part against the rim of the glass in a circular motion.
Dip the glass upside down into the Tajin and carefully press down.

Can I make a frozen watermelon margarita?

Yes, you can easily make a frozen watermelon margarita. Simply blend this margarita mixture with about 2-3 cups of ice.
For more frozen boozy beverages, try my Mimosa Float, and White Wine Slushie, Strawberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail.

Can I this margarita watermelon recipe in advance?

You can prepare the watermelon juice and refrigerate it up to three days in advance. Then, when you’re ready to make your margarita, add all ingredients into the shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds before pouring it into your glass. 

How do I make fresh watermelon juice?

Making fresh watermelon juice is easy! Simply remove the rind of a small watermelon or half a large watermelon. Then place pieces of watermelon into the blender and blend until smooth.
Once it’s all blended, strain the mixture with a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

Can I make a homemade simple syrup?

Yes, it is easy to make simple syrup at home. Simply will bring ½ cup of water with ½ a cup of sugar to a simmer until all the sugar has dissolved.

Is this Watermelon Margarita healthy?

Watermelons are nearly 90% water which makes them a natural thirst-quencher. Plus they are loaded with vitamins and potassium?
While I can’t claim that these watermelon margaritas are health-conscious drinks, the addition of fresh fruit makes them a better choice than many other cocktails.

watermelon margarita in a glass

Other Easy Cocktail Recipes

5 from 3 votes
watermelon margarita featured image

Watermelon Margarita

Serves — 2
This Watermelon Margarita recipe is quick, easy and filled with sweet and tangy fresh flavor. It's an iconic cocktail turned fruity for summer sipping.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz  fresh watermelon juice
  • 2 oz lime juice
  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • lime
  • tajin

Instructions
 

  • Place your watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake until the drink is chilled.
  • Add a few tablespoons of tajin to a small plate. Run a lime wedge around your glasses and dip it into the tajin.
  • Pour the margarita into your glasses and top it with a lime slice.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage :
  • To Store: I recommend making only what you will drink that day. If you have leftovers, you can store the watermelon margaritas in a pitcher in the fridge for a few hours to a day. 
Tips:
  • Add a few jalapeño slices to your cocktail shaker to make this a spicy watermelon margarita.
  • If your watermelon is fully ripe and sweet, you may not want to add a sweetener.
  • I love using fresh watermelon for this recipe, but I have made it with the bottled watermelon juice when I want a quicker and easier way to prepare these. You can find watermelon juice near the orange juice in the refrigerated section. I like the simple brand of watermelon juice.
  • To keep your margarita cool and refreshing, pour it over ice. You can also chill your cocktail glasses in the fridge or freezer for about 15 minutes before serving.
  • This recipe makes enough for 2 margaritas, but feel free to double or triple it for a crowd.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 498IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

    1. I used fresh watermelon juice, but store bought is fine too! You may need to adjust the simple syrup because many bottled juices add sugar.