Watermelon swirled with the freshness of cucumber, the brightness of lemon, and the gorgeous notes of mint. Add a splash of a clean, crisp vodka and a light touch of sweetness with a pour of simple syrup topped with a sparkling lemon soda. It’s an unusual blend of the summer’s best, making for a delightfully refreshing cocktail!
We’re always on the hunt for a new cocktail. This concoction is a unique blend of some of the season’s favorite fruits – plus one vegetable – making for a surprisingly fun drink.
It’s not our first time using watermelon in cocktail and we’ve also used cucumber. Loving the flavors that each one lends to a drink, this seemed like it could be a good fit for a summertime beverage. Start with a quick run through your farmer’s market grabbing sweet watermelon, some lemons, fresh mint, and a cucumber. Mix in a great vodka plus a touch of simple syrup then add some effervescence with a pour of sparkling lemon soda.
You can make the base ahead of time and when you’re ready to serve, finish with the sparkling soda.
Grab your blender and whip up an utterly inviting summer drink!
Watermelon Cocktails
2 cups seedless watermelon cubes
8 slices, peeled cucumber
8 to 10 mint leaves
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 tablespoons vodka
4 tablespoons simple syrup
Ice for shaking and serving
Mint sprigs for garnish
½ cup sparkling lemon soda
Toss the watermelon, cucumber, and mint leaves into the canister of a blender.
Pour in the lemon juice, vodka, and simple syrup.
Process, starting on low then raise to medium-high speed and blend until smooth, about 30 to 40 seconds.
Transfer the mixture to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well chilled, about 15 to 20 seconds. (If you’re making the base ahead, you can just chill the watermelon purée and skip this step. You just want the base well chilled.)
Fill 2 tall glasses with ice and fill about ¾ full of the watermelon purée.
Top each drink with ¼ cup sparkling lemon soda.
Stir to blend and garnish with a mint sprig.
Makes 2 generous drinks.
To make the simple syrup:
Combine 1 cup water and 2 cups sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep refrigerated.
Watermelon Cocktails
Equipment
- Blender
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 cups seedless watermelon cubes
- 8 slices, peeled cucumber
- 8 to 10 mint leaves
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons vodka
- 4 tablespoons simple syrup
- Ice for shaking and serving
- For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
Instructions
- Â Toss the watermelon, cucumber, and mint leaves into the canister of a blender.
- Pour in the lemon juice, vodka, and simple syrup.
- Process, starting on low then raise to medium-high speed and blend until smooth, about 30 to 40 seconds.
- Transfer the mixture to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well chilled, about 15 to 20 seconds.
- Fill 2 tall glasses with ice and fill about ¾ full of the watermelon purée. Top each drink with ¼ cup sparkling lemon soda.
- Stir to blend and garnish with a mint sprig.
- To make the simple syrup:
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep refrigerated.
