The watermelon martini tastes like summer! This festive vodka cocktail is easy to make and full of refreshing sweet flavor.
Here’s a summer drink that’s full of big fruity flavor: the Watermelon Martini! This vodka martini is all about the watermelon, with a pure, refreshing flavor. It’s just sweet enough to let the fruit shine through, and it goes down pretty easy. Add that watermelon wedge garnish and it’s a great signature drink for a dinner party, or ideal for sipping by the pool. Here’s how to make this tasty cousin of the martini…that’s really not a martini at all.
What’s in a watermelon martini?
The watermelon martini is a flavored vodka martini. It’s actually more like a Cosmo than a dry martini! Made with gin and dry vermouth, the classic version sometimes is made with vodka. Over time, the vodka version became a blank slate for adding all sorts of fruity variations. Just serve it in a martini glass and it’s a martini!
Every bartender has their own way of making this drink. Here are the the ingredients in this watermelon martini:
- Watermelon
- Mint
- Vodka
- Cointreau
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup (optional)
You might think this drink would taste intensely sweet, like a watermelon jolly rancher. Instead, this cocktail is just sweet enough: which lets the watermelon flavor shine through beautifully.
How to make a watermelon martini (basic steps)
The watermelon martini is easy to make. All you’ll need is a cocktail shaker and a martini glass. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
- Muddle: Place the watermelon and mint in the cocktail shaker and muddle them (gently mash) to release the juices.
- Shake: Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) to the cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds until cold.
- Strain: Strain the drink into a glass and serve!
Use watermelon or watermelon juice
You can make this drink using watermelon or watermelon juice! Either way, here’s the most important thing: make sure you use a ripe watermelon. Only make this drink during watermelon season when you know you can find a bright red, juicy fruit. Here are a few notes on chopped watermelon vs watermelon juice:
- Watermelon is so easy to use: just cube it up and throw it in! You’ll muddle it so that it becomes a juice right in the cocktail shaker.
- Watermelon juice is easy to whip up in advance as a big jar. It’s nice for when you’re entertaining, and you can use it for other watermelon cocktails like this Watermelon Vodka Cocktail or Watermelon Gin Cocktail.
All about Cointreau (plus a substitute)
Cointreau is an orange liqueur with a beautiful orange perfume flavor. It’s higher quality than Triple Sec, with a more robust and balanced flavor. It’s most well known for being used in cocktails like the Classic Margarita. If you buy a bottle, you’ll have lots to make with it: try all our Best Cointreau Drinks!
If you don’t have a bottle of Cointreau for this watermelon martini, you can substitute any orange liqueur. You could try Triple Sec, or a higher end liqueur like Grand Marnier.
More flavored vodka martini recipes
Flavored martinis are a modern invention: built on the vodka martini. Most of them drop the vermouth…so they’re hardly a martini at all! Here are some of our favorite flavored martini recipes:
- Pomegranate Martini This jewel-toned drink is sweet tart and light: the perfect fruity variation.
- Lemon Drop Martini or Limoncello Martini Zingy and full of citrus brightness.
- Cucumber Martini A crisp, cool take with the refreshing scent of this hydrating vegetable.
- Espresso Martini or Coffee Martini A modern classic made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka.
- Ginger Martini The spicy flavor of the fresh root shines in this ginger cocktail!
- Key Lime Martini Fruity and fun, with a graham cracker crust rim! And Licor 43.
- Raspberry Martini Bright red and full of berry flavor!
- Chocolate Martini Rich, creamy and oh so decadent.
- French Martini A triumph! Perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple, and raspberry liqueur.
When to serve a watermelon martini
The watermelon martini is festive and stunning, perfect for summer entertaining! Serve it as a:
- Summer drink
- Happy hour drink
- Dinner party drink
- Girls night drink
- Pool party drink
- Cocktail hour drink
Perfect Watermelon Martini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
The watermelon martini tastes like summer! This festive vodka cocktail is easy to make and full of refreshing sweet flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped watermelon (or ¼ cup watermelon juice)
- 2 large mint leaves
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Cointreau
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lime juice
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- For the garnish: small watermelon wedge
Instructions
- Chop the watermelon. Add the melon and mint to a cocktail shaker. Muddle (gently mash) them with a cocktail muddler or wooden spoon to release the juices. (If you’re using watermelon juice, simply muddle the mint first.)
- Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a small watermelon wedge, if desired.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Watermelon martini
More watermelon drinks
Love watermelon? Here are some of the best watermelon drink ideas to try while the season is ripe:
- Watermelon Margarita Tangy, sweet, and seriously refreshing. It’s lightly salty for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Watermelon Mule Why have a Moscow mule or Kentucky mule when you can have a…watermelon mule?
- Watermelon Smoothie or Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie Frosty with frozen strawberries and banana.
- Easy Watermelon Juice It’s hydrating, full nutrients, and easy to make at home…no juicer required.
