On a hot summer afternoon, an ice cold watermelon rum cocktail with lime is such a treat. Fresh watermelon creates a naturally sweet, hydrating base for rum. Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a lovely, light tartness. This tasty watermelon drink is so easy to make. Enjoy it as a cocktail, or alcohol-free.
This watermelon cocktail concept was born several years ago on the Mediterranean shores of Jaffa in Israel. Our friend Gila served us this blended watermelon drink alongside a homemade vegetarian lunch, including her amazing stuffed peppers with goat cheese. Her blended seedless watermelon beverage was so refreshing on a hot day. Instead of juicing the watermelon, she threw whole chunks of melon into the blender and whirled them up into a chilled beverage. It was so cool, naturally sweet, and delicious– perfect for a hot summer day.
Gila’s watermelon drink was non-alcoholic, and that mocktail version continues to be a favorite in our home. Given that we love the virgin version of this drink, it seemed only natural to add rum and lime. The resulting watermelon rum cocktail was absolutely exquisite, and until now it stays on our summer drink rotation.
Can I Make This Watermelon Cocktail Sugar Free?
Fresh lime juice and watermelon go really well together, and provide a lovely sweet-tart base for this watermelon rum cocktail. In addition to the rum, you may wish to add a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar. Depending on the natural sweetness of your watermelon, you may or may not need to add any sweetener. I only add it when the drink needs it. Garnish with an aromatic sprig of fresh mint for an herbal touch. A lime twist would also make a lovely garnish.
You can make this drink with or without alcohol. Either way it’s an enticing, tasty beverage. This watermelon rum cocktail is just perfect for summer!
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Watermelon Rum Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed seedless watermelon, well chilled
- 1 1/2 fresh limes, juiced
- 1/4 cup rum (optional)
- Simple syrup or agave nectar, or your favorite sweetener (optional - use to taste, as needed)
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
NOTES
Instructions
- Put watermelon chunks and lime juice into a blender. If adding rum, add it now. Process on high until smooth. Add sweetener to taste, if needed, and blend again.Pour drink into two glasses over ice. Alternatively, you can blend ice with the drink to make it a more slushy texture. Garnish drinks with fresh mint. Serve.
Nutrition
Wonderful and so easy!
Also try water melon and fennel seeds or cardomom. Both delicious.
Hi
Can you substitute tequila for rum?
Thanks
Absolutely. Enjoy!
Leave out the sugar. Watermelon is very sweet. It helps to cut it with grapefruit juice, lime, and bitters
2C pureed watermelon
1/2 lime juiced
2oz grapefruit juice
2 dash bitters
mint
rum
Hi Pete– it depends on your watermelon, some batches are not sweet enough for the right flavor balance in this drink, and you will need to add some kind of sweetener. Some melons are naturally quite sweet and won’t need any simple syrup or agave. It’s really all about tasting until the balance is right.
This drink is really refreshing I made it one day for a Mexican theme lunch I had at my church instead of mint I used cilantro for garnish.
I can hardly get enough of these amazing wonderful ideas and recipes…..thank you very much!
This looks wonderful. I was wondering if you’ve tried it after freezing the watermelon chunks first? In order to make it more of a slushie.
Also, what other alcohol would taste good with this mixture? I’m not too keen on rum.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes! They are a blessing to us!
Shalom!
Hi Rachel! Freezing the watermelon can zap some of the natural sweetness out, so I would recommend making it as written. Vodka (plain or citrus infused) and tequila would also work well. Enjoy!
I just made these yesterday! But I add a few strawberries …then strain the seeds out….and put muddled mint and a good quality Vodka. (Tito’s Vodka is my favorite)
I added a little club soda. Yummy perfect for today
Where did the glasses come from!! i want them!!
Hey Melissa! I think I got them at Pottery Barn, but it was a couple of years ago so I’m not sure if they’re still selling them. They are awesome glasses!
I just made watermelon juice a couple of days ago and I was wondering to myself what would be the best approach for turning that into a cocktail. Thus far we have had watermelon martinis. I think your watermelon coolers sound like a real star. I’ll be trying this tonight.