Margaritas have been around for decades, and traditionally consist of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. This cocktail has a distinct look: they are usually served in a unique stemmed glass with a salted rim. We’ve changed up the classic recipe in a delightful way, adding fresh, ripe watermelon for one of the best margaritas you’ll ever have, inspired by Minimalist Baker. Better yet, this concoction retains the simple three-ingredient list, so they’re super easy to make.
Watermelon is one of the best fruits in summertime, which makes it an easy choice for a margarita. The flavor of watermelon pairs well with lime and tequila and adds a dazzling dose of sweetness and color for your new go-to cocktail. Whether you’re whipping up ‘ritas for your summer backyard party, or taking them down the street for a block party, these refreshing cocktails will be a hit wherever you take them.
When your margarita glasses are ready to go, the next step is to chop up the melon, extracting any seeds, and remove the rind. Give your melon chunks a whirl in your blender to reduce the fruit down to its perfect juiciness. (If it’s super pulpy, you might want to strain it through a mesh colander.)
Next, combine the lime juice, tequila and a handful of ice in your cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to combine (having a rousing soundtrack in the background might help a bit here), and strain the liquid into one of your prepped margarita glasses. Add watermelon puree, then repeat for the second margarita — and in just minutes, you and your pal will be in watermelon margarita heaven!
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Line rim of glass with fresh lime juice
Fresh lime gets busy right away in this recipe: lime juice around the rims of two margarita glasses helps the salt adhere to the edge. An easy way to do this is to just pinch a wedge of lime as you run it around the rim.
Dip rim of glass into salt for the best watermelon margaritas
As soon as you run the lime juice around the rim, dip each glass in sea salt (put it in a shallow bowl or on a plate), ensuring the salt completely covers the top of each rim.
Add bright and fresh watermelon chunks to blender
Grab a small, ripe melon to enjoy the sweet elixir hidden inside. (Seedless is best, but you can also just remove any seeds.)
Blend watermelon until smooth
You don’t need a special device to juice your watermelon — just your trusty blender. The watermelon will puree quickly — just make sure you blend it long enough to get all the chunks so you have a nice even mix.
Add ice to cocktail shaker for these watermelon margaritas
Don’t have a cocktail shaker? No problem — just use something you already do have at home, like a mason jar (with lid), or even a travel mug or wide-mouth water bottle. (Just make sure to cover any sipping spout or straw hole.)
Pour tequila into cocktail shaker with lime juice
You can also stir the ice and other ingredients together if you don’t have anything to shake it with. A tall glass and a long-handled spoon will do the trick! The goal is to get the mix nice and icy cold, with just a little dilution from the ice.
Shake it up!
It won’t take too long to chill the mix — maybe just about long enough for a verse of “Margaritaville.”
Pour lime juice and tequila mixture into glass
You’re almost ready! Add the icy cold light-colored mixture to the prepared glasses.
Pour watermelon puree into glass
Now it’s time to give this drink a little color! Pour on the bright pink watermelon puree and give this baby the sweet taste of summer.
Before you go, watch our watermelon taste test:
Best watermelon margaritas
Yield 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups watermelon juice from one small ripe watermelon
- 2-1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 5 tablespoons (2-1/2 ounces) silver tequila
- Sea salt (for lining rim)
Instructions
- Lime the rim of margarita glasses with lime juice, then dip in salt mixture covering the top of the rim completely.
- Add cubed ripe watermelon to a blender and blend until the mixture turns to puree/juice. Depending upon size of watermelon, it will yield 3-5 cups of juice.
- Pour lime juice, tequila and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker.
- Shake until well-blended.
- Strain lime juice mixture and pour into the glasses.
- Pour watermelon juice into the glasses.
- Serve immediately.
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