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Home » Drinks

Watermelon Basil Cocktail

Last updated: Dec 20, 2024 | Published: Sep 25, 2023

Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review

In this simple and tasty watermelon basil cocktail, watermelon and basil are blended into a puree and combined with vodka, honey, and lime juice for a fresh and herby beverage that tastes like a warm summer's day.

martini glasses with watermelon basil cocktail with watermelon pieces and basil leaves to the side

Do you ever find yourself with too much watermelon? I seem to only buy them for get-togethers and then forget to actually cut them up and serve them. Then I end up with more watermelon than I can possibly eat before the quality quickly goes downhill.

I've appreciated seeing smaller watermelons more widely available this summer, especially from local farmers. I feel like I can cut into them at any time and I don't have to save them for a particular occasion. The smaller ones seem to have fewer seeds, too.

Jump to:
  • 🍉Ingredients
  • 🧂Substitutions & Variations
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 🍸Equipment
  • 🍯Top tip
  • 💭FAQ
  • 🥗Pairing
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 🍹Related Recipes
  • 💬 Comments

But if you find yourself with more watermelon than you can possibly use, try cutting it up and pureeing it in your blender to make popsicles and drinks, like in this watermelon basil cocktail. It's a good way to pair the fruit up with other flavors. Watermelon can be a bit bland sometimes and benefits from some flavor enhancements.

If you like fresh drinks with unique flavor profiles, you'll want to also check out my recipes for Creamy Carrot Cocktail, Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Ginger Rhubarb Gin Cocktail, Pomegranate Rosemary Cocktail, and Lilac Tea.

🍉Ingredients

Here's everything you need for this five ingredient cocktail.

watermelon, a bottle of barr hill vodka, a bottle of lime juice, honey, and fresh basil in a glass
  • Watermelon - Fresh watermelon is the star of the show in this cocktail. Any variety of watermelon is fine, though a seedless one will make it easier. If you can, buy yourself a whole watermelon. The precut options in grocery stores are much more expensive compared to the amount of watermelon you get. Pick a watermelon that's uniform in size and that is dark and dull in color. Avoid ones with white spots, that are shiny, or elongated. These are indications of watery, unripe, or less flavorful watermelons. If you have a watermelon with seeds, no problem. Just remove them before pureeing.
  • Basil leaves - Fresh basil leaves add the herby notes to the drink. Only fresh basil will work in this drink recipe. Please don't attempt it with dried basil.
  • Vodka - I love Bar Hill's vodka which is distilled from raw honey. Not only is it tasty, it's made locally in Vermont. You can use your favorite vodka in this cocktail.
  • Lime juice - Fresh lime juice is always best, but if that's not handy (I swear I never have a lime when I need one), a high-quality bottled lime juice, such as Santa Cruz's organic lime juice, is a good choice.
  • Honey - Just a touch of honey for some sweetness, as watermelon juice tends not to be overly sweet on its own.
  • Sugar - Optional, but I find this cocktail even more enjoyable when the rim is lined with sugar.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

🧂Substitutions & Variations

  • Basil - Instead of basil, this watermelon cocktail would also be good made with fresh mint. Mint and watermelon are a common pairing in summer salads.
  • Gin - I've also made this cocktail with gin instead of vodka and think the citrus and herbal notes of most gin work just as well here.
  • Honey - If honey isn't handy, try using 1 ounce of simple syrup instead.
  • Salt rim - If you prefer less sweetness and want to still line the rim of your glass, use a salt with a large crystal, such as kosher salt.
  • Mocktail version - Skip the vodka by replacing it with additional watermelon puree and/or a splash of club soda or ginger beer.
  • Frozen basil watermelon cocktail - When pureeing the watermelon and basil in the first step, add the remaining cocktail ingredients to the blender along with a cup of ice. Blend until smooth. Add more ice or more liquid, if needed, to adjust the consistency.

🔪Instructions

watermelon on a cutting board cut into cubes with a large knife

Cut the watermelon into cubes, removing any seeds in the process.

a blender with watermelon and basil inside

Add the watermelon pieces to a blender or food processor with the basil.

vodka being poured into a cocktail shaker

Add 6 ounces of the watermelon puree, along with the vodka and lime juice to the shaker.

honey being poured into a cocktail shaker

Add the honey, and stir well to combine before adding the ice.

ice being poured into a cocktail shaker

Fill the shaker most of the way up with ice.

cocktail shaker being shaked

Shake well for 20 seconds.

martini glass with salt on the rim

If desired, brush the outside rim of a glass with lime juice and roll in a small plate of sugar.

watermelon basil cocktail being strained into a martini glass

Give the cocktail another shake and strain it into the prepared glass. Garnish with a piece of watermelon and a basil leaf or two.

Hint: This watermelon basil cocktail is best served well chilled. Make sure you shake it well to get it as cold as possible. And if you can pop your glasses into the freezer in advance, that will help to keep the drink cold as you sip.

🍸Equipment

Blender or food processor - Necessary to create a smooth watermelon basil puree.

Cocktail shaker - This is the easiest way to shake up a cocktail before serving. Alternatively, a large mason jar with a lid will also work.

Martini glass - The glass I like to use to serve this cocktail. Though, you can just use what you have. Check out your local Goodwill if you're looking for cocktail glasses on the cheap. It's what I do.

🍯Top tip

It may seem odd, but stirring the cocktail ingredients before shaking will help to combine the honey into the liquids. Otherwise, when you add the honey to the ice, it may just stick to the ice and not mix into the drink.

💭FAQ

What alcohol goes well with watermelon?

Vodka, gin, and tequila all pair well with watermelon. For this recipe, I suggest vodka, though gin would also be good.

What flavor mixes well with watermelon?

Watermelon pairs well with many flavors, including basil, honey, and lime juice, which is why I used them in this cocktail. Other flavors to try with watermelon are mint, lemon, cucumber, coconut, salty cheeses, and spices like cayenne and chili powder.

How do you intensify watermelon flavor?

Both salt and sugar have the ability to bring out more flavor in watermelon. Add either to the rim of your cocktail glass before serving to help intensify the watermelon flavor in the drink.

🥗Pairing

Try serving these dishes with this watermelon basil cocktail:

  • two plates of pasta with peas and mint pesto with a side of peas and drink glasses
    Pasta and Peas with Mint Pistachio Pesto
  • chicken sloppy joes with pickles
    Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
  • the sun dried tomato quiche in a pan with plates and serving utensil
    Broccoli and Stilton Quiche
  • large plate of arugula spinach salad with chicken and dressing on side
    Arugula and Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken
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📖 Recipe

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watermelon basil vodka cocktail in a martini glass with basil and watermelon garnish

Watermelon Basil Cocktail


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Steve Peters
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large cockail 1x
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Description

In this simple and tasty watermelon basil cocktail, watermelon and basil are blended into a puree and combined with vodka, honey, and lime juice for a fresh and herby beverage that tastes like a warm summer's day.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup watermelon
  • 4-6 basil leaves
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ½ ounces lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Make the watermelon basil puree. Cut the watermelon into cubes and remove any seeds. Add to a blender along with the basil and blend until smooth. Start with 4 leaves of basil, taste after pureeing, and add more and puree again, if desired.
  2. Combine the cocktail ingredients. Pour 6 ounces of the puree into a cocktail shaker, along with 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir with a tall spoon until combined.
  3. Make the drink. Add the ice to your shaker, put on the top, and shake well for about 20 seconds.
  4. Make the cocktail glass rim. Brush the outside edge of your glass with the remaining ½ ounce of lime juice. Put the sugar on a small plate and roll the edge of the glass in the sugar to coat.
  5. Strain and serve. Give the cocktail another few shakes and strain into the prepared glass. Serve with a garnish of a couple of basil leaves and a small piece of watermelon.

Notes

Stirring the ingredients before shaking with ice will help blend the honey into the cocktail. 

You can likely fill two martini glasses with this drink, though I consider it just one serving.

If you have the time, chill your glasses in the freezer in advance so you can serve an extra cold cocktail.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Shaking
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

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  1. J A says

    September 04, 2024 at 8:13 pm

    I had some watermelon puree in my fridge and being a lovely evening - I was going to make a watermelon slushee - but then chanced upon your cocktail - while searching on Google 😊
    It is very refreshing, I only added a dash of cola, no honey as the watermelon was rather sweet and I happen to have basil in my backyard - so it all worked out ! Thanks

    Reply
    • Steve says

      September 04, 2024 at 8:45 pm

      Sounds perfect! Happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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