Watermelon Gin Cocktail

A watermelon gin cocktail is the best way to quench your thirst this summer! The combination of fresh juicy watermelon, refreshing mint, and floral gin is one that will have you coming back for more. Plus you can easily make it in a big batch to serve at your next gathering!

about this watermelon gin cocktail

Watermelon is one of those seasonal fruits that I look forward to all year. When summertime hits and watermelon is in season (between May and September, in case you are wondering!), I am buying them up every single week.

Whether I am making a salad or a cocktail, watermelon is simply the epitome of summer!

The funny thing is I never get tired of it, and once we are into fall, I’m already missing it.

Of course you’ll often find me making watermelon cocktails in the summertime. It’s so refreshing and cooling, making it ideal to enjoy on a hot day.

Now that we are almost into the hottest month of the year, you can bet that I will have freshly made watermelon juice in the refrigerator almost every day.

There’s something about the floral notes in gin that really bring out the sweetness of watermelon in this drink. That’s why this cocktail will win you and whoever you enjoy it with. It’s simple and straightforward, with a whole lot of summer packed into every sip! So let’s talk about exactly what you’ll need to make this cocktail.

ingredients

watermelon. Use fresh watermelon to make your watermelon juice! At the end of this post, you’ll find a seasonal tip section that describes how to select the ripest watermelon possible, so be sure to read that before shopping. The riper the watermelon, the better this cocktail will taste.

mint. Fresh mint is key! You will need it not only for the drink, but also for garnish if you want to achieve the same look you see here.

lime. I like to use lime wedges here, so grab one lime for the recipe. You don’t need to worry about juicing it! All the juices will come out when you muddle it with the mint.

simple syrup. You can pick this up at your local store (liquor or grocery!), but I prefer to just make it at home. All you need are equal parts water and sugar. I have a whole guide on how to make simple syrup on the site so you can get all your questions answered over there!

gin. Use a standard gin for this cocktail, whatever your favorite brand might be! I personally am a fan of Hendricks Gin (especially their Neptunia Gin) and The Botanist is really nice as well. Empress 1908 is another one of my favorites, but it will change the color you see here since it’s purple in color!

this recipe’s must haves

For this cocktail, I like to assemble it in a cocktail mixing glass with a cocktail stirring spoon. You will also need a muddler to muddle together the mint and lime wedges. Finally, have your measuring cups and jigger ready to measure out all of the ingredients.

barware favorites

Gatsby cocktail glasses

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mixing glass

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jigger

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here’s how to make a watermelon gin cocktail

make watermelon juice

Add watermelon cubes to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Drain through a fine mesh sieve. Use watermelon juice as instructed to make the cocktail below! Watermelon juice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

muddle

Add mint leaves, lime wedges, and simple syrup to a cocktail mixing glass. Muddle together well, until the lime wedges are broken down.

stir

Add 1 cup fresh watermelon juice and gin to the glass. Fill with ice. Stir to combine.

strain

Strain the cocktail into two glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and mint sprig.

tips and ideas

use fresh ingredients. Get the best flavor into the cocktail by using fresh ingredients. I like to make the watermelon juice myself, as well as using fresh mint and limes. However, you can use store-bought watermelon juice, if needed.

use good gin. Since this cocktail only has five ingredients, the gin is front and center. Make sure that you are using a gin that you love to drink! I have listed my personal favorites in the above Ingredients section.

make ahead of time. If you are making a large batch ahead of time (see FAQs below or at the bottom of the recipe), chill it in the refrigerator beforehand. I recommend leaving out the ice so it doesn’t get watered down. Add ice just before serving to keep it cold.

More delicious watermelon cocktails to try: Watermelon Vodka Cocktail | Spicy Watermelon Margarita | Salted Watermelon Paloma

where do I get watermelon juice?

As described earlier in this post (and in the recipe card below), you can make your own watermelon juice using fresh watermelon chunks and a blender. You can also use a juicer, but we don’t need an extra appliance in our home.

However, you can also pick up watermelon juice from the local grocery store. I usually go to Sprouts or Whole Foods for 100% watermelon juice, as other supermarket chains don’t always carry it (or carry a blended option that has too much added sugar).

can I make this in a big batch?

This cocktail is super easy to scale up for any size gathering. To make this cocktail for 8 people, you will need one large watermelon, 1 cup mint leaves (about 1 1/2 bunches), 4 limes, 3/4 cup simple syrup, and 2 cups gin. Add mint, lime wedges and simple syrup to a large pitcher. Muddle together well, fill with ice, and set aside. Working in batches, make watermelon juice using the entire watermelon (broken into chunks). Strain the juice and add it to a pitcher (you should have 4 cups total) with gin. Stir to combine and serve.

how do I use any leftover watermelon juice?

Sometimes I end up with leftover watermelon juice and I never let it go to waste! Store the leftover watermelon juice in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. The juice will last for up to 2 to 3 days.

You can enjoy the juice in this cocktail or any other cocktails on this site that use watermelon juice! For a non-alcoholic option, enjoy a watermelon lime agua fresca! Other ideas include adding it to lemonade, mixing with club soda, or using some in a morning smoothie.

can I make this non-alcoholic?

Yes, you can! If you want to leave out the alcohol, just use water instead of gin. You can even use soda water to make it bubbly!

Need more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a watermelon gin cocktail

This cocktail is the ideal pairing for any summer meal or gathering! I like to pair it with savory bites or a BBQ meal, because that match up always reminds me of summertime.

If you are serving this cocktail for a gathering, here are some appetizers that are oh-so tasty to enjoy:

Crispy golden cheese corn balls are bite-sized snacks that are perfect for any occasion.

A colorful seasonal fruit charcuterie board is ideal for grazing.

Crab rangoon dip is the most popular dip recipe on this site! It’s savory, creamy, and cheesy.

Savory BBQ pulled pork sliders are paired with an apple coleslaw to hit all the taste buds in every bite.

For dinner, here are some standout main dishes to serve for a summer dinner party:

Instant pot bbq short rib tacos only have 5 ingredients and can even be made in the slow cooker.

If you want to fire up the grill, make these simple steak fajita foil packets!

For another gin cocktail to try when watermelons are no longer in season, try this 2-ingredient gin and ginger ale cocktail.

more delicious watermelon recipes

This melon salad is taken to the next level with a honey citrus dressing and salty prosciutto.

Enjoy all the flavors of summer with this summer charcuterie board!

Finally, if you make this watermelon gin cocktail recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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