Watermelon Margarita

A refreshing Watermelon Margarita is the absolute best way to cool down on a hot day. Simply blend frozen watermelon with tequila, triple sec or Grand Marnier, and lime juice, then add a bit of sweetness with agave nectar. Serve up a pitcher of this frozen drink with real fruit at your next Cinco de Mayo party or Mexican-inspired get-together.

Best Frozen Watermelon Margarita

There’s a quaint Mexican restaurant on the East Side of Austin called Licha’s that has the BEST Watermelon Margaritas. They’re perfectly sweetened, have tons of watermelon flavor, just a hint of spicy jalapeño, and go down so smooth and WAY too quickly.

Even more dangerous, there’s the option of ordering an entire PITCHER of them!

Recently when I had my girlfriends over for Taco Tuesday, I decided to try and recreate that classic cocktail at home. (Along with these frozen mango margaritas!)

Well I am very happy to report that they came out incredible!

It’s official: this frozen version is the perfect summer drink on a hot summer day.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make these fresh watermelon margaritas recipe include:

• Tequila. The best type is a reposado tequila. It has been aged a bit longer and has a bit sweeter flavor than a blanco (or white tequila) without the whiskey-esque flavor of añejos. Choose a good quality tequila that you like the flavor of, since you will taste it. Some of my favorites include Lunazul, Espolón, and Cazadores. These brands are all roughly $20 for a 750ml bottle.
• Watermelon. This is the key ingredient. It’s so easy to cut a watermelon yourself if you buy a whole one. Or, buy a precut one at the local grocery store. You’ll need to freeze the chunks before making this drink. Opt for a seedless watermelon for the best results.
• Lime juice. Fresh lime juice adds the most flavor. You need roughly 1 lime to get enough juice for one margarita. A citrus juicer or lemon squeezer gets the most juice out and is the easiest.
• Grand Marnier. The orange essence takes the flavor to a whole new level. This is a higher-quality, French, orange-flavored liqueur. It is slightly more expensive with a more complex taste than triple sec and Cointreau—which also work—but will take your margarita to the next level.
• Agave nectar. You only need a little bit, but it cuts the tartness of the lime. If needed, sub in honey, simple syrup, or even regular sugar. Agave also mixes in much more easily than honey, which tends to harden and crystallize once cold.

How to Make a Watermelon Margarita?

Below, you’ll find the basic steps for making this easy watermelon margarita recipe:

Prep the Watermelon

Slice a watermelon into smaller chunks. They don’t have to be uniform size as you’ll blend them.

The easiest way to freeze the pieces is in a single layer. That way, you can pick up a few at a time. You can also freeze them in a bowl.

Blend Until Smooth

You need a high-speed blender to get the margarita nice and smooth. You can also use a food processor.

Put the frozen slices of watermelon, liquors, and lime juice in the pitcher. Blend the ingredients for 2 or 3 minutes. Don’t stop too early, or you will have chunks left.

Add the agave nectar with the margarita mixture and blend again until it’s as sweet as you’d like. The reason you wait until it’s already blended is so you don’t put in too much.

Add margarita salt to the rim of the glass and fill it up. If you’re in a pinch, kosher salt or another coarse salt will work.

Enjoy!

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: You can squeeze the lime up to 1 to 2 days ahead of time. The watermelon can be frozen weeks in advance.
• How to store: Because it’s frozen, leftover margarita won’t last in the fridge.
• How to freeze: Place leftover margaritas in an airtight container or freezer bag and place in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months. Pull the frozen margarita out of the freezer an hour before serving and blend again to get it back to the right consistency.

What is a watermelon margarita made of?

A watermelon margarita is a flavorful blend of frozen watermelon, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and agave nectar. You can choose your favorite variety of tequila and triple sec, or take it up a level with Grand Marnier. This perfect summer cocktail is delicious.

How much alcohol is in a watermelon margarita?

In a single serving of margarita, there are 3 ounces of tequila and 2 ounces of triple sec. Obviously, there is no hard and fast rule that every margarita follows this formula, but this gets that classic margarita flavor.

How unhealthy is a margarita?

A margarita is a somewhat healthy cocktail when enjoyed in moderation. Especially when you use fresh fruit, like in this watermelon margarita, you can safely enjoy a couple drinks.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Reach for the top. Be sure to grab a good tequila and one that you like the flavor of.
• Go fresh. Hand-squeezed lime juice will make a huge difference in the quality of the margarita.
• Blend it first. Add the agave nectar after you purée it so you don’t make it too sweet.
• Add the salt. A salted rim is a must for this delicious drink.
• Make it fancy. A lime wedge or orange slice will go a long way as a garnish and add a special touch. You can even top it with a piece of watermelon.

Other Cocktail Recipes

Cocktails are a fun way to enjoy a festive drink. Opt for any of these other recipes next.

Whip up a Frozen Mojito or a Piña Colada if you’re looking for a classic. And you can’t beat this Espresso Martini.

Or, spike a Frozen Lemonade for a fun cocktail.

More Margarita Recipes

There are so many ways to enjoy a margarita. These varieties are super delicious and worth a try.

A classic Cadillac Margarita is a top-shelf drink made in a cocktail shaker that the whole crowd will like.

The Skinny Blood Orange Margarita is a lighter option.

Try a Mexican 75 for a crisp treat.