A girl’s gotta have a cocktail sometime… and a Summer Watermelon Cosmo is one of my favorites! Especially this one, which is healthy (ok, I’m pushing it here 😉), delicious and refreshing. If you had a chance to read my post about the benefits of watermelon juice, you might agree it’s worth the effort to make your fresh juice. And, of course, if you have any leftover juice, you can make yourself a Summer Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail!
Updated: By popular demand, this post was updated with additional info and a recipe card.
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If you’re not up to making fresh watermelon juice, you can always use store-bought watermelon juice for this Watermelon Cosmo. I like WTRMLN WTR Watermelon Cold Pressed Juice or EVOLUTION Fresh Watermelon Juice. My recommendation is to purchase a cocktail shaker used for making martinis. Give your Watermelon Cosmo a few strong shakes, and you get the little ice crystals that are “oh so good” in a Cosmo!
Ingredients
- Fresh watermelon juice
- Watermelon wedges (for garnishing)
- ½ lime for juicing
- Simple Syrup
- Vodka
- Ice
Equipment
- Freezer chilled martini glasses (just a few minutes is good)
- Juicer or blender and strainer
- Cocktail shaker
Tips & Suggestions
- Bottled watermelon juice also works well, but omit the simple syrup if it is sweetened—you don’t want the drink to be too sweet!
- Use a juicer if you have one, and don’t mind the clean-up after. You can skip using the strainer.
- Chill the martini glasses beforehand – I recommend at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Make a pitcher if you are entertaining. Simply add ice and mixture to a cocktail shaker. Shake and serve!
- Save the pulp and add it to smoothies, or freeze it into ice cubes.
- Don’t ditch the watermelon rinds. Subscribe to my newsletter for a recipe that is coming soon!
Variations
- Add more vodka (for a stronger drink) or less simple syrup if the watermelon is super sweet.
- Flavored vodkas can add another element of flavor.
- If you run out of watermelon juice, you can use cranberry juice.
Summer Recipe Ideas
If you love watermelon like I do, check out my watermelon recipes. They will make a hit at your next summer barbecue!
📖 Recipe
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Summer Watermelon Cosmo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Blended
Description
Enjoy this delicious Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail at your next summer gathering!
Ingredients
⅔ cup fresh watermelon juice (½ small seedless watermelon – reserve 2 wedges for glass)
1 tsp simple syrup
1 tsp fresh lime juice
3 oz vodka (2 shots)
ice
Instructions
- Prepare fresh watermelon juice by placing watermelon chunks (rinds removed) into a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until all chunks are pureed and liquid. Pour the watermelon juice into a strainer over a large measure cup or bowl. Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture through the strainer, removing any pulp.
- Pour the measured amount of watermelon juice into a cocktail shaker along with simple syrup, lime juice, vodka, and ice.
- Shake, shake, shake, and serve immediately in martini glasses. Sip and enjoy!
Notes
- Bottled watermelon juice works well also but omit the simple syrup if it is sweetened – you don’t want the drink to be too sweet!
- If you have a juicer (and don’t mind the clean-up after), there’s no need to strain the juice after.
- I recommend chilling the martini glasses beforehand – 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- You can always add more vodka (for a stronger drink) or less simple syrup if the watermelon is super sweet.
- If entertaining, make a pitcher. Add ice and mixture to a cocktail shaker, shake, and serve!
Keywords: watermelon cosmo
Sounds delicious but what are the amounts? 🙂
By popular demand, I finally added a recipe card! Hope this helps so you too can enjoy these delicious cocktails 😋!
I’m sorry, I really tried to like these. I worked really hard juicing a whole watermelon. Maybe bc the watermelon wasn’t that flavorful so it didn’t lend to making good drinks? I had to add a splash of tart cherry juice and then also added an additional tsp of simple syrup. This was the opinion of 4 of us that they were much better this way. Thank you for your recipe. I may try it again when I have a better tasting watermelon.
★★
I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. These are a big hit with my viewers every summer! Like many plant-based recipes, it is dependent on how ripe the vegetables/fruits are when picked or purchased. The organic seedless watermelon I purchase from my local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is always the sweetest and makes the best Watermelon Cosmo. Check out LocalHarvest.org to join one. But if in a pinch, adding a little simple syrup should do the trick. Hope you give the recipe another try!