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This delicious Blended Watermelon Margarita is made from frozen watermelon, lime, sugar and tequila. It’s everything you want in a warm weather cocktail – icy, fruity, and irresistibly refreshing.
Whether you’re making a small batch for a backyard hang or scaling it up for a crowd, this blended margarita is a staple I return to every summer.
If you’re looking for a classic margarita with simple syrup that is good all year, I have a recipe for that too!
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Margarita
After testing countless margarita variations over the years, this one wins for flavor, texture, and simplicity.
- Frozen watermelon creates a naturally slushy texture. No need for ice that waters down the drink.
- Lime-infused simple syrup sweetens and balances the tart citrus and bold tequila.
- Silver tequila keeps things clean and bright, letting the watermelon flavor shine.
Prefer your margarita on the rocks? Just skip the freezing step and blend fresh watermelon into juice. It’s just as refreshing poured over ice.
What You’ll Need
These ingredients work together to keep this cocktail bold and vibrant without getting too sweet. Full quantities are listed in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Watermelon – Frozen cubes are ideal for a blended drink. You’ll need about 4 cups, which comes from roughly ½ of a medium-sized melon.
- Lime – You’ll use both the peel and juice. Peeling the lime for the syrup adds a deeper citrus note.
- Simple syrup – Simmered briefly with lime peel to enhance flavor. It’s easy to make and essential for a smooth blend. You could use this method to also make Watermelon Limeade.
- Silver tequila – Look for a quality blanco that won’t overpower the fruit.
- Kosher salt – For rimming the glass. Or try a blend of salt and lime zest for an extra punch.
How to Make a Watermelon Margarita
This recipe is as easy as blend, pour, and enjoy, but a few smart steps make a difference.
- Freeze your watermelon – Plan ahead and cube then freeze your watermelon for at least 4 hours.
- Make lime simple syrup – Simmer sugar, water, and lime peel until dissolved. Cool completely before using.
- Blend – Add frozen watermelon, lime juice, cooled syrup (discard the peel before blending), and tequila to your blender. Blend until smooth and frothy.
- Garnish & serve – Rim glasses with lime and kosher salt, pour in your margarita, and garnish with a fresh lime wheel.
Recipe Tips
- For a salt-sugar rim, combine kosher salt with lime zest and a pinch of sugar.
- If your blender struggles with frozen fruit, let the watermelon thaw slightly before blending.
- Want to prep ahead? Make the simple syrup and juice the lime the day before.
Storage & Scaling
Blended margaritas are best served right away, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for a few hours. Just stir before serving.
Making this for a group? Multiply everything and blend in batches. Serve in a pitcher over ice if you don’t want to blend each round.
FAQs
This recipe is incredibly easy, but if you’re not experienced at making cocktails, some of these common questions might help.
Yes! Blend fresh watermelon into juice, then shake or stir with lime juice, tequila, and simple syrup. Serve over ice.
Stick with a quality blanco (silver) tequila. It’s clean and crisp, and doesn’t overpower the fruit.
Start with half the simple syrup, taste, and adjust. You can always add more but can’t take it out.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon cubed and frozen
- 1 large lime
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup silver tequila
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Remove rind from watermelon and cut into cubes. Freeze 4 cups watermelon for at least 4 hours.
- To make simple syrup, use peeler to remove zest from 1 large lime. Add lime peel to 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to simmer just until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool in the refrigerator with the lime peel.
- In a blender, combine the frozen watermelon, simple syrup (with lime peel removed), juice from lime, and 3/4 cup silver tequila. Blend until smooth. No need for ice if the watermelon is frozen and the simple syrup is cold.kosher salt
- Use remainder of juiced lime to moisten the rims of the margarita glasses and then coat with kosher salt. (Alternatively, you can zest another lime and mix with salt, or you can use sugar and lime zest, or a combination of sugar and salt with lime zest.) Pour blended margaritas into glasses and garnish with a fresh lime slice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Watermelon margaritas are my all time favorite, these were soooo delish!
This is awesome! I don’t think a drink could get any more refreshing or fun!
I love practically ANYTHING watermelon, this sounds fabulous!
Watermelon in the freezer right now…..