Watermelon Lime Margaritas

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Tall glass of our Lime Watermelon Margarita recipe with chunks of melon in it

John and I have grown quite fond of homemade margaritas over the years. It’s no surprise considering we make Mexican food for dinner more often than we do laundry – and that’s saying a lot since we’re kind of clean freaks – and margaritas always seem to be our accompanying beverage of choice. Though we’ve mostly stuck to more traditional flavors, I couldn’t shake the idea of making a watermelon margarita this summer, so off  to the porch we went to experiment one recent evening.

As it always happens, the one time you’re doing something somewhat “risque” like making cocktails on your front porch, someone notices. The neighbor’s grandkids just happened to be in town for a visit and decided to go off-season “trick or treating” for healthy snacks, and ended up on our porch…with the liquor. Us, large bottles of tequila and triple sec, and two innocent kids. Quick, hide the evidence!

Jar of homemade watermelon juice for making margaritas

John quickly hid the bottles before they could ask, “Hey Mr., what’s that?!” as I distracted them by asking the name of their dog. For the record, I don’t remember the name of the dog, but I did successfully divert their attention from the margarita magician shuffling bottles behind his curtain. Potentially awkward disaster averted. Phew.

Frozen watermelon cubes for adding to homemade margaritas
Making homemade Watermelon Margaritas with Lime

I happily got the kids a banana almond meal muffin so they wouldn’t go away empty handed, and once they left we got back to business.

I’d already made watermelon juice and ice cubes earlier that day and all that was left for John to do was use his magic touch to combine the remaining ingredients: Tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Do yo’ thing, boy.

Pouring triple sec and tequila to make our Watermelon Lime Margaritas recipe

This recipe is super easy to throw together and simply perfect for summer gatherings.

We enjoyed generous sips of ours on the porch after dinner. The weather’s been so gorgeous here in Kansas that we can’t seem to get enough of evenings and afternoons spent outside. Good thing there’s things like fresh watermelon lime margaritas in the world to come to the rescue and cool us down.

Grabbing a handful of watermelon ice cubes to add to homemade margaritas

Besides requiring little ingredients and time, these margaritas are extremely customizable.

If you don’t have watermelon juice, just throw your watermelon cubes in the blender with lime juice and make a frozen blended margarita.

If you don’t have watermelon cubes, sub regular ice cubes – there will still be plenty of flavor from the watermelon juice. You can also omit the alcohol altogether to make these virgin and I bet they’d still be delicious. Cheers to the perfect drink for summer!

Pouring a glass of our refreshing Watermelon Lime Margaritas recipe
Tall glass of our Watermelon Margarita recipe with alongside fresh limes and watermelon

Watermelon Lime Margaritas

Traditional fruit margaritas with a twist: fresh watermelon and lime juice and chilled with sweet watermelon ice cubes. Huzzah!
Author Minimalist Baker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 (margaritas)
Course Beverage
Cuisine Vegan

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh watermelon juice (instructions on how to make below // 12 ounces yields ~1 1/2 cups)
  • 3-4 ounces tequila (depending on preferred strength)
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 1 medium lime, juiced
  • ~15-18 watermelon ice cubes (optional but recommended)
  • Margarita salt (optional // for lining rim)

Instructions

  • To make watermelon juice, scoop half a small watermelon into a blender and puree until well blended. Then strain through a fine mesh strainer and place juice in a jar. Refrigerate until ready for use.
  • To make watermelon ice cubes, cube the other half of the watermelon into ice cube-sized pieces and place on a baking sheet. Make sure they’re not touching of they’ll stick together. Freeze for 4-5 hours or overnight or until very firm.
  • To make margaritas, add watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and triple sec to a cocktail shaker or pitcher and shake vigorously or stir.
  • Next, run the quarter of a lime around two serving glasses and then dip in margarita salt. Fill 3/4 of the way full with watermelon ice cubes (or regular ice cubes if preferred).
  • Divide the margarita between glasses (2 as original recipe is written) and serve immediately. Garnish with an additional lime wedge.

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition (1 of 2 servings)

Serving: 1 margaritas Calories: 232 Carbohydrates: 20 g Protein: 1 g Fat: 0 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 1100 mg Fiber: 0 g Sugar: 28 g

Like this recipe? Try these other bodacious summer cocktails.

Watermelon Limeade Cocktails
Cucumber Cooler Cocktails
Grapefruit Lime Spritzers
Vodka Root Beer Floats
Frozen Blended White Russians

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  1. Vanessa says

    i unfortunately wasn’t a fan of these. I found them quite bland. The watermelon didn’t give the margarita enough flavor. It just tasted like watermelon flavored tequila.

  2. Robyn says

    Made these tonight and they were unbelievably delicious! My boyfriend and I loved them. Thanks again for the tasty and simple recipes!

  3. Shelby says

    Hmm…work on my thesis or make these incredible-looking margaritas? I have a feeling it has to be one or the other and it’s a tough call.

  4. Michele says

    I have a quick question. What causes the sodium to be so high? Is it based on the amout around the rim I the glass? Thanks for your help.

  5. Jane says

    These look absolutely delicious, and so refreshing! I can’t wait to try them. And what a perfect colour!

  6. Jenny says

    I am trying to find your recipe for the watermelon juice and I can’t find it… Please share I want to make this ASAP!

  7. Heidi Larsen (@foodiecrush) says

    Digging the chunks of watermelon, and your quick thinking with the nosy kid neighbors *wink

  8. Eileen says

    Well, this is definitely going to have to happen soon. Watermelon juice has to be one of the most refreshing drinks on the planet, and with tequila? You don’t have to ask me twice. :)

  9. Joy // For the Love of Leaves says

    This does look like the perfect summer drink! I feel refreshed just looking at the pictures!

  10. Christina @ scaredy cat kitchen says

    Wowsers these look good. I don’t think I’ve ever had a margarita before but I may have to try one now.

    I’ve been thinking of testing the theory that 100% agave tequila = no hangover. Any truth to that rumour do you think? My hangovers after 2 glasses of wine have been killer lately!

  11. Claire says

    Homemade margaritas beat out restaurant or store-mix margaritas every time. It’s simply not a question.

  12. alexandra @ sweet betweens blog says

    Yep, this pretty much sums up summer to me in a glass. Looks fantastic! Can’t wait to get home, invite our neighbor friends over, hang on our porch and drink some delicious watermelon lime margaritas!