Watermelon-Lime Cooler

Name: Watermelon-Lime Cooler
Yield: 1 cocktail
Ingredients: Ice; 2 ounces Lillet Rosé; 1 ounce red bitter liqueur, such as Campari, Cappelletti or Contratto Bitter; 1 ounce gin; 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice; 4 ounces fresh watermelon juice (see Tip)

By Rebekah Peppler

Rating: 4(129)
Notes: Read community notes

While coolers are often stretched with something sparkling, this rose-hued drink swaps in a pour of fresh watermelon juice. The inherent sweetness — and deep pink color palette — of both the juice and the Lillet Rosé is tempered with an ounce of gin and a splash of lime’s bright acidity. (If you can’t find Lillet Rosé, use Lillet Blanc or even a blanc vermouth in a pinch.)

Featured in: What’s Cooler Than Being Cool? These Cocktails.

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Ingredients

Yield:1 cocktail

Ice
2ounces Lillet Rosé
1ounce red bitter liqueur, such as Campari, Cappelletti or Contratto Bitter
1ounce gin
½ounce fresh lime juice
4ounces fresh watermelon juice (see Tip)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
In an ice-filled highball glass, combine the Lillet Rosé, red bitter, gin and lime juice. Top with the watermelon juice and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Tip

Though fresh watermelon juice, which can be made in a juicer, blender or food processor, keeps for three days stored in the refrigerator, it should be used soon after making for the best, brightest in flavor cocktail. Drink any extra juice as a shot with a squeeze of lime for a bonus dose of hydration or pour into ice cube trays and freeze to use in lieu of standard ice in another day’s cooler.

Ratings

4 out of 5

129 user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Jenn1 year ago

This is the quintessential summer cocktail! Easy, refreshing...simply delicious! And a real looker too. Just the thing for those tiny watermelons that are at the market now. The first time we used a red and the next time an orange and both were beautiful. The Lillet Rosé gives it a hint of herby sweetness and was balanced by just the right amount of lime. This will be a seasonal treat going forward!

Yum!2 weeks ago

We loved using up half a watermelon to make juice and then this. Delish! More boozy than you might think.

JN10 months ago

Has anyone tried this without the gin for a less boozy but refreshing summer cocktail?

cb1 year ago

Ideas for your consideration: 1. Strain the watermelon juice of pulp. 2. I found the drink a little too boozy for a hot summers afternoon, so I increased the watermelon juice to 5-6 oz and lime juice to 3/4 oz or even a bit more. 3. Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker or pint glass without ice, stir, then pour into an iced pint glass for serving. 4. The beautiful reddish pink of the drink is enhanced by the bright green of a thin wedge of lime as a garnish. 5. Cheers!

DT1 year ago

Nice bitterness when made with Campari. Notes of grapefruit make this a refreshing summertime libation. We used yellow watermelon so it had a deep peach hue. A splash of soda water is nice for added fun fizz.

Jenn1 year ago

Pam Neuharth1 year ago

delish and beautiful.

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