How to Make a DAMN GOOD Easy Watermelon Margarita
How to Make a DAMN GOOD Easy Watermelon Margarita
Tequila and watermelon are a match made in heaven, so why not combine them to make the perfect margarita?
This post is in partnership with Tequila Herradura. All opinions are my own. This article is for 21+ individuals.
About This Easy Watermelon Margarita Recipe
Who doesn't love easy, delicious drinks? That's why we're going to make a watermelon margarita that is both easy and delicious. And the best part about this recipe is that it only requires 5 ingredients: Tequila, triple sec, sugar, lime juice, and of course the watermelon!
It doesn't matter if you are hosting a party or just want to enjoy one on your own, this easy but DAMN GOOD watermelon margarita is the perfect refreshing drink for any occasion.
Can’t get enough margarita recipes? Be sure to try my Spicy Jalapeño Margarita, Blueberry Basil Margarita, and 21+ Cocktails to Make with Tequila too!
How Do I Pick a Good Watermelon?
Let's be real: it's difficult to choose the most delicious watermelon among a bunch.
So how exactly do you find the sweetest melon in the bunch?
Well, have no fear because I've got a few secrets that will have you picking the perfect watermelon every time. So get ready to change your name to "the watermelon whisperer" because you are about to never pick a bad watermelon again.
Knock On It
Give the melon a few taps or slaps and listen to its sound. A ripe watermelon makes a sound that's deep and hollow in pitch. An overly ripe melon sounds dull or flat.
Look for the Yellow Spot
Aka, the "field spot" (I just learned this one thanks to my friend, Meg). Pick the melon with the darkest yellow spot. Why? When you find a watermelon with an extremely deep yellow spot, it indicates that the melon was allowed to ripen fully on the vine. And that means it's full of natural sugars and will taste sweeter than a melon with a white or barely-there yellow coloration.
Find the Sugar Spots and Pollination Lines
If you see black spots on your melon, it's a good thing. This is called "sugar seepage" making it highly likely the melon is really sweet. In addition, if you see little dots in a line, that's a good thing too. These are pollination points and yield for a sweeter melon (shout out to my daddy for teaching me this trick).
Pick the Heavy One for its Size
Bigger isn't always better, but in this case, it is. A good rule of thumb to follow when choosing a watermelon at the grocery store is that the heavier it feels, the juicier it will be.
Look for a Uniform Shape
Some watermelons are circular in shape and some are oval. And to be honest, both shapes are fine. But if there are irregular bumps or lumps, it means your potential melon has gotten inconsistent amounts of sun, water, and pollination. And that means it's not going to taste as sweet. Also, don't pick a watermelon with dimples, cavities, cuts, or bruises. Those imperfections could indicate that the watermelon has been sitting on the ground too long, which means it's had plenty of time to begin fermenting #yuck #nothanks
Inspect the Stem
Green stems mean the watermelon is not ripe and will lack sweetness. Choose a melon with a dry and yellow-brown stem.
Buy When They're In Season
This one might be the most important tip of all. The best time to buy watermelons is during the summer months from May until late August or early September, when it's in peak season.
Pro-Tip: If you are like me and crave watermelon all year round, buy several sweet watermelons during peak season. Then cut them up and freeze the chunks for a healthy and refreshing Fall or Winter treat.
Now that you've found the perfect watermelon, let's cut it open and make some margaritas!
But first...
Let's Talk Tequila
What Makes a Margarita a Margarita???
When it comes to margaritas, it's all about the Tequila, my friend. Not gin. Not vodka. Not whiskey. Just good 'ole 100% agave Tequila.
But what kind of tequila should you use?
What Type of Tequila is Best For Margaritas?
I highly suggest sticking with a good quality Blanco (aka Silver) or Reposado Tequila for this easy watermelon margarita recipe because we want to taste the delicious agave nectar flavor in every sip!
Don't forget, the type of tequila you choose will determine how much flavor your margarita has so don't skimp! Always go for the good stuff like Tequila Herradura Silver or Tequila Herradura Reposado
What's the Difference Between Blanco Tequila and Reposado Tequila?
Blanco - Silver or "white" tequila is light in flavor, versatile, and mixes well. Making it an ideal choice for margaritas. Aged for 45 days, beyond the industry standard, with hints of vanilla, Herradura Silver Tequila is a nice addition to your next margarita.
Reposado tequila is amber in color and has a bit more straightforward agave-centric flavor and a spicier finish than Blanco tequilas. Tequila Herradura Reposado, released in 1974, was the first reposado to be produced. Herradura Reposado, aged longer than the industry standard for 11 months, offers notes of butter and vanilla that render it an instant upgrade to your margarita.
Why Herradura is a Great Choice for Margaritas
As a former bartender and cocktail aficionado, I've always been a fan of Tequila Herradura. So, it's easy for me to confidently say that Tequila Herradura tequilas are a great choice when making margaritas.
Why?
Quite simply, Tequila Herradura is tequila
Since 1870, Tequila Herradura is one of Mexico's oldest and most respected tequila producers. They create the finest 100% blue agave tequilas using artisanal techniques such as cooking in clay ovens and fermenting with wild yeast. The result is a complex yet smooth line-up of premium tasting tequilas that are always easy to sip on or mix into drinks!
Click here for additional information about Tequila Herradura and more drink recipes.
*Drink responsibly*
Tools You’ll Need to Make This Recipe
Here are a few essential tools you’ll need to make the DAMN GOOD Easy Watermelon Margarita
As a former bartender, I highly recommend this Mixology and Craft Cocktail Starter Kit. This 4-piece set comes with a stainless steel Boston Cocktail Shaker, a strainer, and a 2-sided jigger for the perfect 1 ounce and 2 ounces pour.
Citrus Juicer - has become a necessity for making cocktails and can be ever so helpful when making guacamole (which, who doesn't love that!?)
A set of Rocks Glasses or these Blue Rim Traditional Margarita Glasses or these Hand-Blown Tumblers if you want to be fancy.
Still feeling fancy? Don't forget this pretty and functional Salt Rimmer.
Blender - strong enough to crush ice but also easy on the pocket (this blender is a BEAST).
A Few More Margarita Recipes
If you liked this easy watermelon margarita, then you'll love these too!
The DAMN GOOD Easy Watermelon Margarita Recipe
Servings: 4 to 5 fresh watermelon margaritas
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Ingredients:
3 Cups Cubed Seedless Frozen Watermelon (or Fresh Watermelon for on the rocks)
1/2 Cup Tequila (for this recipe, I used Herradura Silver)
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Squeezed Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 Cup Triple Sec
Optional:
Sea Salt, Sugar, Tajin, or Ancho Chili Powder (to rim the glasses)
Mint (garnish)
Lime wedges (garnish)
Instructions:
How to Rim the Glass: Pour a thin layer of sea salt, sugar, Tajin, or Ancho chili powder onto a small plate. Take a lime wedge and run it along the rim of the glass to moisten it. Then dip the rim of the glass in the salt or sweet rimmer of choice at a 45-degree angle, rotating until coated. Chill the glasses in the freezer while preparing your drink.
How to Make Frozen Watermelon Margaritas (Blended Watermelon Margarita):
Here's the good news, no ice is needed for this frozen version (woohoo!)
In a blender, add frozen watermelon, tequila, sugar, lime juice, and triple sec. Blend until smooth. process 1/2 of all the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Pour and evenly distribute in rimmed chilled glasses or transfer all to a pitcher. Garnish with mint and lime wedges and serve.
How to Make an On-the-Rocks Watermelon Margaritas:
*Note: to make this recipe on the rocks you'll need to prepare each drink by the glass. All measurements by the glass are listed in the instructions below*
Make Watermelon Juice: put all of your cubed (not frozen) fresh watermelon into a blender and blend until it has turned into a smooth juice. Pour the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove extra pulp or leave as-is, depending on your preference for pulp. You will have extra fresh watermelon juice.
Shake and Serve: Fill a cocktail shaker with 2 ounces watermelon juice, 1/8 cup (1 ounce) tequila, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/8 cup (1 ounce) triple sec, and ice. Close tightly and shake like hell until the outside becomes frosty. Strain into an iced rimmed glass and garnish with mint and lime wedges.
Cheers!
Thank You
When it comes to easy and delicious drinks, this fresh watermelon margarita is definitely on the list. It only requires five ingredients - tequila, triple sec, sugar syrup, lime juice, and of course the star ingredient- refreshing watermelon! There are many ways you can enjoy your drink with friends or just by yourself but make sure that you don't forget to share pictures of how it turned out!
Leave a comment below if you try this recipe so I know what you think about my tasty cocktail concoction.
-XOXO (as always)
Mel D.
Photography by Melissa "Mel" Drake
Sponsored by Tequila Herradura.
Please Drink Responsibly.
Tequila Herradura, 40% Alc. by Vol., Imported by Brown-Forman, Louisville, KY.
Herradura is a registered trademark. ©2021 Brown-Forman. All rights reserved.
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*Originally published in 2016 and updated July 2019, this post has been updated by Mel Drake to add the new sections of "How Do I Pick a Good Watermelon?", "Let's Talk Tequila", and "Tools You'll Need to Make this Recipe" weren't included in the original post. The recipe and photography have been updated along with structural and grammatical changes as well.