Watermelon Margarita
- Total Time
- 5 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
Advertisement
Ingredients
Yield:2 drinks
- 1tablespoon fine sea salt
- 1teaspoon Tajín or ½ teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
- Ice, as needed
- 6ounces fresh watermelon juice (from about 1½ cups chopped seedless watermelon, blended and strained)
- 2ounces tequila, preferably blanco
- 2ounces Cointreau (optional)
- 2ounces fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 large limes), rinds reserved
- 2 to 3thinly sliced jalapeño rounds (optional)
For the Salted Rim (optional)
For the Drink
Preparation
- Step 1
Prepare the salted rim, if using: In a small shallow bowl or plate, combine the sea salt and Tajín. Set aside.
- Step 2
In a shaker filled with ice, combine the watermelon juice, tequila, Cointreau (if using), lime juice and jalapeño (if using). Shake to combine. (Note: The watermelon flavor shines brighter without the Cointreau, but the liqueur takes the drink into more traditional margarita territory. If you’d like to compare, first try the mixture without, the liqueur, then add 1 ounce of it per serving.)
- Step 3
Using one of the squeezed lime halves, run it along the rim of two rocks glasses, then dip the rims into the salt mixture. Fill the glasses with ice, then strain the margaritas into the glasses and enjoy immediately.
Private Notes
Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.
Cooking Notes
Francesca
Delicious summery drink! Didn’t bother straining the watermelon, just whirred it up good in the blender and got a lovely, silky juice. Absolutely go for the additional two ounces of liqueur — I subbed triple sec for Cointreau — to make this a real drink for two.
Allyson
This was very refreshing! We put the watermelon in the blender and mixed it all in there. YUM!
Nikki
Save yourself some time and energy by cutting up the watermelon and freezing overnight instead of making watermelon juice. It’s a frozen watermelon margarita that will make everyone happy on a hot day. The frozen version is 100 times more popular and delicious than the regular version. And so much easier to make by the picture. Highly recommended for a pool party!
Allison
This recipe is delicious, but I found that the lime juice overpowered the watermelon a bit, so I added more watermelon juice than the recipe called for. This gave more of the flavor I was expecting. Also made a batch with mezcal which gave an excellent smoky flavor that paired nicely with the watermelon. Definitely recommend!
Sally
I’ve made these about 6 different times. They were delicious!! Using the Cointreau is a must! I had triple sec initially but they are so much better with the Cointreau.
ArtEdna
I wish the NYTimes also offered a pitcher version of this recipe for entertaining
stephanie
i know the recipe suggests it, but as someone who always has tajin on hand, i wouldn't sub cayenne for it, even in a reduced quantity. tajin is made of salt, dehydrated lime zest, and yes, chile peppers but they're mild. cayenne is hot (esp if it's fresh & good quality) and i wouldn't want to eat it straight up like this, personally. (and we're spice lovers too!)
Wisoc003
Also - tripled the recipe and put everything together in a bottle for easy serving at a dinner party!
Gary
Do not "dip the rims" That puts salt in the drink. NO no no! Rather, the salt needs to be outside the rim: Run the lines around the edge, hold over the sink, and sprinkle salt on that outside edge, softly. The drinker licks a bit, sips . . . ah, much better.
Wisoc003
This recipe was delicious and refreshing. Used the Cointreau, good tequila, and added a slice of jalapeño. I strained the watermelon juice twice to try to make it a little more smooth. They went down sooo easy - will definitely make again!
Jen
This tasted pretty good but too sweet to drink much. Immersion blender worked great for the watermelon. The rim salt was way too spicy even for my spice-loving partner — maybe it was our cayenne. Would cut down to maybe 1/3 of amount there if I made it again.
Laura
I froze the watermelon to sub for the ice. No straining.
Carol
Made this for a block party and it was a hit! In fact, it won our block's cocktail competition! I tripled everything except Cointreau and lime juice, only doubled those after reading the reviews. I used pink salt to rim the glasses, figuring that the jalapenos were enough of a kick for people who wanted one. Had jalapenos on toothpicks for people to add to their drink.
Jane
Delicious and refreshing! Didn’t have Cointreau so I subbed curaçao instead.
Brandon
Great recipe. The one change, or addition I would make is to add Jalapeño infused simple syrup. Very easy to make and really adds to this drink.
bonnie b
Nice and refreshing. Agree with others, don’t skip the Cointreau. I love it tangy so added a half ounce more lime and then a squeeze in my glass. A little Jimmy Buffet and a cheeseburger and you are in paradise!
Barbara
Great variety on a classic margarita. Salt on the glass rim is a must or the drink is too sweet.
RV
Skip the Cointreau. It’s a light refreshing and very watermelony cocktail.
Jenn Johnson
Made a big batch for a family gathering and served in a pitcher. 3c watermelon juice, 1 cup each of tequila, liqueur, and lime juice. I served it with the salt, lime wedges and jalapeño slices on the side so everyone could customize. We didn’t have Cointreau so we used Grand Marnier instead. It was good, but I think it could have taken a bit more tequila .
David
Great with variations: Equal parts Tajin and salt on rim. 6 oz watermelon, 6 oz gold tequila (Espolon Reposed is a good choice), 2 oz Cointreau, 2 oz lime juice, 2 oz simple syrup. 8 jalapeño slices halved. Shake vigorously with ice, strain into glasses. Perfect.
Arlene Bryant
I use this recipe all the time - everyone's favorite! But, I freeze the watermelon in cubes, no need for ice, and put it all in the blender. Yum!
Banshee
Cointreau for sure - or almost any others high quality orange liqueur. Triple Sec is way too sweet and a recipe for a headache - at least for me. YMMV..
Adrienne
My favorite summer drink of all time. Always a crowd pleaser.
Sally
Really interesting - and refreshing!
SK
Fabulous! Used Mela watermelon “water” (more like filtered juice” with a tajin rim and it was perfection. My new summer go-to.
Watrmelonsugr
Local Mediterranean restaurant makes a cocktail w a special ingredient- Guava Liqueur!!! I think there is also some bitters in it as well, to give it more texture. I want to say Negroni but I think it’s something else. It can turn this cocktail into something people will keep on coming back to- over and over again!!!
amy
just whirled all in blender, went a little light on the alcohol and lime juice, all in on the tanjin rim with lime juice.
Adam
Cut (or keep) the orange liqueur and add a quarter to a half a shot of key west or freshly squeezed lime juice. It really ties the room together.
Private notes are only visible to you.
Advertisement
