Ingredients
- 1 wedge lime for rimming
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt on a plate, for the rim
- 60 ml blanco tequila 100% agave
- 90 ml fresh watermelon juice about 1.5 cups blended cubes, strained
- 22 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml triple sec Cointreau preferred
- 7 ml simple syrup optional, if watermelon is bland
- 1 wedge watermelon garnish
Instructions
- Make the watermelon juice: blend 1.5 cups of seedless watermelon cubes until smooth, strain through a fine mesh.
- Run the lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass and dip in flaky sea salt.
- Fill the glass with ice (carefully, don't knock the salt off).
- Add tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice and triple sec to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass (use a fine mesh if you want it crystal clear).
- Garnish with a small watermelon wedge and a lime wheel.
Notes
Where it came from
The Watermelon Margarita is a Tex-Mex summer creation that hit American bars in the 1990s and 2000s, riding the same fresh-fruit margarita wave that brought peach, strawberry and mango versions. The Sandia Margarita (“sandia” is Spanish for watermelon) is the drink’s Mexican-bar identity.
It’s the most seasonal of the fruit margaritas: only worth making with peak summer watermelon. Out of season, frozen or jarred watermelon juice exists but the drink loses its bright fresh-melon character. By August, it’s on every backyard cookout menu in Texas.
Why watermelon and tequila
Watermelon is mostly water and a small but distinctive sugar profile, with a green, herbaceous edge from the rind oils. Tequila has the same green-grass agave note. The two share a flavour family. Add lime for sharpness, salt rim for bottom-end balance, and you have a drink that tastes refreshing rather than sticky-sweet.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The watermelon
- Use
- Seedless red watermelon, peak ripe (mid to late summer)
- Try
- Yellow watermelon for a milder, less acidic version
- Skip
- Pre-bottled watermelon juice, often flat and over-sweetened
The tequila
- Use
- 100% agave blanco: Espolon, Olmeca Altos, Cazadores
- Try
- A reposado for a smoother, oak-tinged version
- Skip
- Mixto (non-100% agave) tequila, harsh and unbalanced
The salt
- Use
- Flaky sea salt, or Tajin (chile-lime salt) for spice
- Try
- Smoked salt for a depth-of-flavour version
- Skip
- Iodised table salt, tastes metallic against sweet fruit
Variations
Other Margarita variants.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Frozen watermelon cubes blended (use 90ml after blending and straining). Bottled juice works in a pinch.
Mezcal makes a smoky watermelon margarita. Vodka makes a watermelon Cosmo.
Cointreau is the premium swap. Grand Marnier works. Or 15ml simple syrup with a strip of orange peel.
Blend tequila, frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice and triple sec with 1 cup crushed ice for 30 seconds.
Muddle 2 jalapeno slices in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. Strain out before pouring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Watermelon Margarita?
Tequila, fresh watermelon juice, fresh lime juice and triple sec, served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Standard build is 60ml blanco tequila, 90ml fresh watermelon juice, 22ml fresh lime juice and 15ml triple sec.
How do I make fresh watermelon juice?
Blend 1.5 cups of seedless watermelon cubes for 20 seconds until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the pulp. You’ll get about 90ml of clean juice per 1.5 cups of fruit. The juice will separate quickly, so use within an hour.
Can I use bottled watermelon juice?
Yes, in a pinch. Bottled watermelon juice tends to be sweeter and less aromatic than fresh. If using bottled, skip any added simple syrup and add a touch more lime to keep the balance.
What is a Sandia Margarita?
“Sandia” is Spanish for watermelon. A Sandia Margarita is the same drink as a Watermelon Margarita; the name is more common in Mexican bars and Tex-Mex restaurants in the southwestern United States.
Should I use a salt or sugar rim?
Salt is the standard. It balances the watermelon’s sweetness and amplifies the tequila. A Tajin (chile-lime salt) rim is a popular variation for spice fans. Sugar rim is too cloying for this drink.
How strong is a Watermelon Margarita?
About 13 to 16 percent ABV in the glass. The watermelon juice dilutes the tequila significantly. Tastes lighter than a regular margarita, which is part of the appeal but also the trap.
Can I batch a Watermelon Margarita for a crowd?
Yes. Multiply the tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice and triple sec by your guest count and mix in a pitcher. Keep cold and pour over ice in salt-rimmed glasses just before serving so the watermelon juice stays bright.
What food goes with a Watermelon Margarita?
Summer cookout food: tacos al pastor, grilled shrimp, carnitas, ceviche, watermelon and feta salad. Also pairs beautifully with anything spicy, the watermelon cools the heat.
