Make Your Own Refreshing Watermelon Martinis

Watermelon Martini
Ivan Grubacki / EyeEm
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 cocktails

Few things remind us more of summer than the sweet, juicy taste of fresh watermelon. Here is a refreshing watermelon cocktail that is very quick and simple to prepare, and a great use for when your watermelon's texture is unappealing. Fresh watermelon juice is combined with vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice, shaken with ice, and strained into glasses that have been rimmed with sugar and salt. A watermelon wedge is the perfect finishing touch to this summertime drink that will become the hit of the barbecue.

Ingredients

For the Simple Syrup:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 cup water

For the Watermelon Juice:

For the Martini:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, for rimming

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, for rimming

  • 4 ounces premium vodka

  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, from 1 large lime

  • Watermelon slices, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Chill 2 martini glasses.

  2. Make the simple syrup: Add the sugar and water to a small pan. Heat slowly over medium heat stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool.

  3. Make the watermelon juice: Place the watermelon chunks in a blender and blend until ​liquefied.

  4. Prepare the rims of the glasses: Mix together the sugar and salt. Wet the rims of the chilled martini glasses with a piece of watermelon. Dip the rims into the sugar and salt mixture.

  5. Place the watermelon juice, vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Top with the ice and shake well.

  6. Pour the contents through the strainer into the prepared martini glasses.

  7. Garnish each with a wedge of watermelon.

  8. Enjoy.

Tips

  • Simple syrup can come in handy for other recipes, so you may want to make more than is required for this recipe and store it for later on. Transfer the extra simple syrup to another container or bottle, cover, and store at room temperature for up to 3 months.
  • A mealy or overripe watermelon is always disappointing, but it is also ideal for turning into watermelon juice to make a wide range of beverages, from a healthy smoothie to a delicious lemonade.
  • If you purchased a large watermelon and have a bit leftover, you can freeze the flesh to use later in drinks and popsicles.
  • Instead of composting the rind, you can pickle the pieces to serve later as a sweet snack, or chop and combine with other ingredients to make a pie.
  • When watermelon is out of season, you can substitute frozen watermelon puree available at many grocers (or think ahead and freeze some yourself in summer).
  • If you don't like the combination of salt and sugar, you can just use one—or skip the glass rimming altogether, if you prefer.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
218 Calories
0g Fat
23g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 218
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4761mg 207%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 18mg 89%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 201mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)