This watermelon vodka drink is a refreshing summer cocktail! It’s quick and easy to make, pairing sweet watermelon with tangy lime and vodka.

What says summer more than a watermelon vodka drink on the patio? Lately Alex and I have been creating thirst-quenching watermelon drinks for lazy summer evenings. It’s 95 degrees here in Indianapolis, and we need all the ways to beat the heat we can get! Watermelon is so hydrating and refreshing, and its natural sweetness is perfect for cocktails. So we used it to whip up this easy and vibrant watermelon vodka summer drink: perfect for parties or evenings on the patio!

Do you prefer gin? Try our Watermelon Gin Cocktail.

Start with watermelon juice.

The basis for all our watermelon drinks: watermelon juice! It’s seriously easy to make: all you need is a blender and a strainer. Chop the watermelon and then whiz it up in a blender until it liquefies. Then strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any “floaties”. You’ll come out with a watermelon juice that’s bright pink and naturally sweet: perfect for making all the watermelon drinks!

How to make this watermelon vodka drink

Making a watermelon vodka drink is as simple as making watermelon juice, then mixing a few ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Here are the main steps:

Make the watermelon juice! Blend 2 cups of cubed watermelon in a blender, then pour it through a fine mesh strainer to obtain 1 cup watermelon juice.
Shake with lime juice, vodka, and maple syrup. In a cocktail shaker, combine the juice with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, ½ cup vodka and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Add ice and shake!
Garnish: Pour into glasses and garnish with small watermelon wedges.

It’s easy to double for a crowd!

Unlike most of our cocktail recipes which are single serving, this recipe makes enough for 2 to 3 watermelon drinks. It’s also easy to double for larger quantities! Since you can get about 16 cups cubed watermelon from a large watermelon, that’s 8 cups of watermelon juice or about 16 drinks! Enough to serve a crowd, for sure.

This is not that viral vodka watermelon hack.

Oh and by the way: perhaps you’ve heard of that viral vodka watermelon hack? It’s the one where you make a whole in a watermelon and place a bottle of vodka upside down inside the hole? While it sounds intruiging, it’s widely known to be difficult to pull off. This watermelon vodka drink, however, works every time! So hands down, we’d recommend this instead of that odd party trick. (Though it does have the novelty factor, we’ll admit!)

What cocktail shaker should I buy?

Cocktail shakers inexpensive and worth the splurge if you’re into drinks like Alex and I are. A cocktail shaker quickly chills this watermelon vodka drink by shaking it against ice. Then it has a strainer so you can pour it without pouring out the ice too. It seems like there would be another kitchen tool to do the job, but there’s nothing quite like it. Here’s the cocktail shaker we use: Favorite Cocktail Shaker | Amazon

What if you don’t have a cocktail shaker? Use a glass mason jar instead of a cocktail shaker. Add the drink to the mason jar, then add ice. Put on the top and shake away! Pouring out the cocktail without the ice will be a little trickier: pour through a strainer to keep the ice in the jar.

Use the best vodka you can find

Alex and I have said it once and we’ll say it again: the quality of your cocktail depends on the alcohol! If you’re looking for advice on what vodka to buy, we’d suggest not skimping in the alcohol department. Find a vodka that’s about mid-price range. You can absolutely taste the difference!

For this watermelon vodka drink, we used a local vodka made by Hotel Tango here in our home city of Indianapolis! If you have local distilleries, buying local vodka is a nice way to support local businesses.

watermelon vodka cocktail | watermelon drinks

Looking for more watermelon recipes?

Watermelon is one of the most hydrating, nutrient-dense summer fruits! Outside of this vodka drink, here are a few of our favorite recipes with watermelon:

Watermelon Feta Salad or Watermelon Salad with Mint The most beautiful, refreshing salad you’ll find!
Watermelon Skewers A treat, with a hint of a secret ingredients.
Gazpacho with Watermelon Soup made with watermelon? Yes, and it’s delightful.
Watermelon Smoothie, Watermelon Water or Watermelon Slushie The best frothy and sweet drinks starring this delicious fruit.
Watermelon Sorbet An impressive, icy dessert!
Pickled Watermelon Rind A great way to use up leftover rind!
Watermelon Mule or Watermelon Mojito Why make the classics when you can make a watermelon spin?
Watermelon Cucumber Juice This hydrating juice stars cucumber paired with watermelon, which gives it a spa-like vibe.

This watermelon vodka drink is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, refined sugar free, and naturally sweet.