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Home » Recipe Index » Drink and Smoothie Recipes

Watermelon Margarita Recipe (3-Ingredients)

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight Jessica Randhawa
April 9, 2021
4.86 from 165 votes


Last Updated August 11, 2021 | 5 Comments

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This Watermelon Margarita Recipe is made with just three simple ingredients and no added sugars. Perfect for all your summertime gatherings, cookouts, and parties.

Three iced watermelon margaritas in rocks glasses garnished with fresh lime wheels and sliced watermelon.

It is no secret that tequila is my favorite liquor or that margaritas are my favorite cocktail. From classic margaritas to spicy orange margaritas all margaritas are delicious if you ask me.

Today we’re making this super simple, 3-ingredient margarita that is all about sweet summer watermelons! Because who doesn’t love watermelon, right?

Naturally sweet, there’s no need for extra added sweeteners (unless you want some). All you need is watermelon, lime juice, and tequila.

The results are,

Refreshing
Sweet
Simple
Fast
Boozy
Summery
and oh so pretty!

The best part? This pretty drink takes just 10 minutes to shake together. For even faster results, grab a blender and citrus juicer, if you’ve got one.

Cheers!

Looking down at an iced watermelon margarita with a chili salt rim.

How to Make Watermelon Margaritas

1. Prepare the fresh watermelon juice

You guys will need a blender for this part of the recipe process. Fortunately, blending watermelon (as long as it’s not frozen) does not require the fanciest, most expensive machine out there.

Simply fill a large blender with ripe, cubed watermelon and blend until juiced. At this point, you may wish to strain your blended watermelon through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids or leftover seeds (this step is completely optional). 

  • Note – You only need 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) of watermelon juice per cocktail. Expect to have leftover watermelon juice unless you plan to make a large batch of this yummy drink.

2. Mix the chili salt

This is optional. I do it mostly because I think it looks pretty.

3. Prepare your glass

If you plan to salt the rim of your glass, run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass. Invert your glass and dip the top into the chili salt mixture, tilting the glass slightly to completely coat the surface. Fill each glass with ice cubes and set it aside.

4. Make your margarita

To make your margarita, add the watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and a scoop of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to combine. Taste and adjust.

All watermelons taste different and everyone has his or her own personal preference when it comes to cocktail sweetness – does it need more watermelon juice? Lime juice? Sweetness? 

5. Serve

Strain into your prepared glass and garnish with a fresh lime wedge or chopped watermelon, if desired.

Watermelon margarita in a rocks glass with a chili salt rim.

Frozen Watermelon Margarita

In order to make a frozen watermelon margarita, you need to freeze the chopped watermelon at least 4 hours before you plan to start your party. Fortunately, once you have some frozen watermelon, there’s not much to it, simply blend and serve.

That said, here are a couple of tips and pointers to make a batch a batch,

  • For every 4 cups of frozen watermelon (approximately 1 cup juice), you’ll want 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice and 3/4 cup (or more) tequila.
  • Watermelon, when frozen, is like ice. This is fantastic for making slushies, but really hard on cheap blenders. Try to use a high-speed blender with a tamper if you can afford one.

Tips and Tricks

  • Add a few jalapeño slices to your cocktail shaker and make this a spicy watermelon margarita!
  • Shake everything together in a cocktail shaker or even a mason jar with a lid. It’s the best way to get your margarita nice and chilly.
  • Swap the tequila for mezcal for a sweet and smoky surprise.

Make a big batch.

It’s super easy to multiply this recipe and make a big batch for all your family and friends to enjoy. 

  • For 4 watermelon margaritas: 1 cup fresh watermelon juice, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 3/4 cup tequila
  • For 8 watermelon margaritas: 2 cups fresh watermelon juice, 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 1.5 cups tequila

Three iced watermelon margaritas in rocks glasses garnished with fresh lime wheels and sliced watermelon.

Looking for more delicious margarita recipes? Try these reader favorites:

  • Sparkling Passion Fruit and Pineapple Margaritas
  • Frozen Pineapple Dragon Fruit Margaritas
  • Raspberry Rhubarb Margaritas
  • Spicy Orange Margaritas
  • Classic Margarita Recipe (How to Make a Margarita)

Looking down at two ice cold watermelon margaritas garnished with fresh lime and sliced watermelon.

Have you tried making this Easy Watermelon Margarita Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

RECIPE CARD

Three iced watermelon margaritas in rocks glasses garnished with fresh lime wheels and sliced watermelon.

Easy Watermelon Margarita Recipe

4.86 from 165 votes
AuthorAuthor: Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
Guaranteed to be your favorite summer cocktail, this refreshing Watermelon Margarita Recipe is made with just three simple ingredients and no added sugar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 1 margarita
Calories 122 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Watermelon Juice

  • 1 small seedless watermelon - or half of a large watermelon

Chili Salt Rim (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or brown sugar

For One Margarita

  • 2 fluid ounces fresh watermelon juice
  • 1 fluid ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1.5 fluid ounces tequila
  • Lime - cut into wedges
  • Sliced watermelon - to garnish
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Instructions
 

  • Prepare the watermelon juice - Fill a large blender with ripe, cubed watermelon and blend until juiced. At this point, you may wish to strain your blended watermelon through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids or leftover seeds (this step is completely optional and may depend on the efficiency of your blender). Note - the total amount of juice produced will far exceed that needed to make 1 margarita. Transfer leftovers to a mason jar and keep them stored in the refrigerator for a light and refreshing drink or margaritas later in the week.
  • Mix the chili salt - Add the chili powder, salt, and sugar to a shallow plate and mix together to combine.
  • Prepare your glass - Using your favorite cocktail glass (I used rocks glasses) run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass. Invert your glass and dip the top into the chili salt mixture, tilting the glass slightly to completely coat the surface. Fill each glass with ice and set them aside.
  • Make your margarita - To make your margarita, add 2 ounces of watermelon juice, 1-ounce lime juice, 1.5 ounces of tequila, and a scoop of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to combine and chill. Taste and adjust - does it need more watermelon juice? Lime juice? Sweetness? (see notes)
  • Serve - Strain your margarita into your prepared glass and garnish with a fresh lime wedge or chopped watermelon, if desired.

Jessica's Notes

Should you use bottled lime juice? Bottled lime juice will work in a pinch, but the juice from fresh limes is always best (key limes are even better).
Save time: If you plan on making a big batch of margaritas, I highly recommend using a citrus juicer as they will really extract all the juice from all those tasty limes.
What tequila is best? There are two main categories of tequila sold - mixtos and 100% agave. When shopping for tequila, you always want to buy 100% Blue Agave Tequila. For this particular recipe, I used silver tequila, also known as Blanco tequila, but feel free to use your favorite.
Make a sweeter margarita: Add a teaspoon or two of your favorite sweetener (agave, honey, simple syrup). You can also add 1/2-1-ounce of triple sec or Cointreau, an orange-flavored liqueur.
  • 1 ounce = 2 tbsp
How to Pick a Good Watermelon?
  • Pick one that feels heavy for its size.
  • Look for the yellow spot where the watermelon was resting on the ground. It should be a creamy, yellowish color and found on only one side of the watermelon.
  • Look for sugar spots and pollination points. Sugar spots are areas on a watermelon where sugar has seeped through. Pollination points are usually found in the same area as sugar spots. They're brownish rough patches with dark brownish/black dots in rows. These ugly-looking patches on watermelon are actually good things!
  • Tap your watermelon. Does it sound hollow? Good.
Originally published July 2, 2019

Nutritional Information

Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 64mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 13.1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

30.4K shares
Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

About Jessica Randhawa

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    July 9, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    5 stars
    only thing I added was some juiced fresh mint DELICIOUSLY refreshing!

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      July 10, 2023 at 12:39 am

      Thanks for the delicious feedback and rating, Tiffany 😀

      Reply
  2. Lea says

    August 8, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    I’m sending this recipe to my friend because the last time she tried to make watermelon margaritas she nearly killed me lol. These look delicious!

    Reply
  3. james says

    July 22, 2020 at 3:24 am

    loved the idea of this recipe but I added 2 parts cointreau to every three parts tequila as every margarita recipe I have ever followed has done this. I also used frozen watermelon instead of ice cubes. Thank you for sharing something that will cheer up my summer.

    Reply
    • Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa says

      July 22, 2020 at 8:19 am

      Agreed James, Cointreau is a must for a Classic Margarita, which is my go-to recipe on a regular basis 😀

      The Cointreau adds the sweet to the original Margarita, which isn’t needed in this recipe with the watermelon.

      Reply

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Recipe Rating




4.86 from 165 votes (164 ratings without comment)

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Welcome to The Forked Spoon! I’m Chef Jessica Randhawa, and for over 14 years, I’ve been crafting and sharing more than 1200 recipes, blending delicious flavors with practical kitchen tips and expert culinary advice to elevate your everyday cooking. Learn more about me→

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