Food Ingredients Fruits Watermelon 7 Watermelon Cocktails for Summer By Food & Wine Editors Food & Wine Editors This is collaborative content from Food & Wine's team of experts, including staff, recipe developers, chefs, and contributors. Many of our galleries curate recipes or guides from a variety of sources which we credit throughout the content and at each link. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 4, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: ADRIAN GAUT Summer isn't complete without watermelon — on its own, in a salad, or in a refreshing beverage. Enter these irresistible cocktail recipes — including spiked aguas frescas and watermelon sangria — which are perfectly suited for a long afternoon of lounging. Make a pitcher and take it to the beach or set up a drinks dispenser at your next party. Whichever way you slice it, watermelon is the ultimate summer treat, so give that fruit you probably devoured as a kid the adult upgrade it deserves. 01 of 07 Watermelon Daiquiri Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell Preparing fresh watermelon juice gives this blend-and-sip cocktail a burst of cool melon flavor, though fresh, high-quality store-bought juice will work here, too. It's a rum drink for margarita lovers, with a salted rim that balances tart lime juice with sweet agave syrup and just as easily makes one drink with leftover juice as it does eight for a crowd. Get the Recipe 02 of 07 Watermelon-Lime Frozen Agua Fresca © James Baigrie Fanny Singer, daughter of legendary chef Alice Waters, has always had an infatuation with frozen fruit. (The pastry cooks at Chez Panisse used to freeze raspberries for her; she stuck one on each finger and then ate them.) So it's only natural that she makes an icy drink with one of her favorite fruits, watermelon. This agua fresca has the consistency of a frozen margarita. Get the Recipe 03 of 07 Watermelon Sangria © Tina Rupp Sangria, a Spanish variation on traditional punch composed of wine, fruit, and brandy, was formally introduced to America at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City. Del Toro Café in Chicago features classic Spanish sangria alongside seasonal versions such as this recipe, which chef Andrew Zimmerman created for the summer with vodka instead of brandy. Get the Recipe 04 of 07 Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails © John Kernick When watermelon is in abundance, this is a great way to use it. Chef Bobby Flay purees seedless watermelon chunks, then strains the juice through a sieve and mixes it with silver tequila, sugar syrup, blueberries, mint, and fresh lime juice. Get the Recipe 05 of 07 Tequila-Watermelon Aguas Frescas with Prosecco ADRIAN GAUT In this refreshing cocktail, Prosecco adds a lively spritz to a light, watermelon-forward margarita. Get the Recipe 06 of 07 Watermelon-Strawberry Agua Fresca © Antonis Achilleos Here, watermelon and strawberries are pureed and sweetened with a mint-ginger syrup, then served over ice with a touch of chilled sparkling water and fresh mint garnish. Get the Recipe 07 of 07 In-Sandíary © Wendell T. Webber This cocktail's name is a play on both the Spanish word for watermelon, sandía, and "incendiary," referring to the peppery tequila and the spicy ancho chile rim. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit