Watermelon Sugar High: 7 Boozy Recipes
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- August 3, 2023
Sweet spirit-based treats…….
If summer had an official flavor, it would arguably be watermelon. Thursday, Aug. 3 is officially National Watermelon Day and there are plenty of ways to celebrate beyond simply snacking on a slice. From fruit-forward cocktails to adult-approved popsicles, try mixing up one of these boozy melon-based treats.
Hendrick’s Watermelon Lemonade
Created by Hendrick’s Gin East Coast Ambassador Erik Anderrson, this Watermelon Lemonade recipe is the ultimate summer thirst quencher with a little kick.
- 2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
- 1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3/4 part Simple Syrup
- 4 Chunks Watermelon
- Splash Club Soda
Method: Muddle the watermelon with the simple syrup, add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Garnish with a wedge of watermelon.
Sparkling Watermelon Rosé
An unexpected mix of Milagro Silver tequila, rosé, lemon juice and watermelon juice, this fancy AF cocktail is summer’s most stylish sipper.
- 1 1/2 parts Milagro Silver
- 1/4 part Simple Syrup
- 1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3/4 part Watermelon Juice
- 2 Parts Rosé Sparkling Wine
- 1 Lemon Twist
Method: Pour all ingredients, except sparkling wine, into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist.
Watermelon & Jalapeno Martini
A fresh, light and slightly spicy cocktail made with TX Whiskey, this is a Texan’s go-to drink during the hot summer months. If you want to amp up the spice, you can add more jalapeno slices while muddling ingredients. We love sipping on this with a plate of BBQ at a summer backyard barbeque with friends and family.
- 2 parts TX Whiskey
- 1 1/2 parts Watermelon Juice
- 3/4 part Lime Juice
- 1/4 part Agave Nectar
- 1 Jalapeno Slice
- 1 Watermelon Slice for garnish
Method: Muddle jalapeno in agave nectar and lime juice. Add TX Whiskey and watermelon juice and shake. Fine strain into a fresh glass.
Summertime Punch
Known as “summer in a glass,” this cocktail combines The Union Forge Vodka with watermelon and strawberry to create an ultra-refreshing sip.
- 2 oz The Union Forge Vodka
- 1.75 oz Watermelon Juice
- 2 Strawberries
- 0.75 oz Mint Syrup
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Garnish: Mint Sprig and Strawberry
Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass and add mint sprig and strawberry garnish.
Casa Refresher
Made with Casamigos tequila, this minty melon cocktail is the perfect poolside treat.
- 1.5 oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila
- 0.75 oz. Fresh Watermelon Juice or 4-5 Fresh Watermelon Chunks (1”)
- 0.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.25 oz. Simple Syrup
- 8-10 Mint Leaves
- 2 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- Garnish: Mint Sprig and Watermelon Cube Through Skewer
Method: Combine all ingredients into tin shaker, and muddle watermelon/mint. Add ice, shake vigorously and fine strain into rocks glass. Add fresh ice and garnish.
Watermelon Sugar High
On the menu at Jack Rose restaurant in New Orleans, the Watermelon Sugar High is an exotic and refreshing cocktail based with cachaca, the most popular spirit among distilled alcoholic beverages in Brazil.
- 2 oz Cachaca
- 1.5 oz Watermelon Mint Shrub
- 1 oz Cardamaro
- 0.5 oz Lemon Juice
- Barspoon Cane Syrup
Method: Build in shaker, pour into tall collins, garnish with Watermelon mint.
Watermelon Gin Popsicles
Not your childhood popsicle! Created by Cierra Siller, this frozen mix of Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, sweet watermelon, basil and more will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds).
- ⅓ cup Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 2 cups Watermelon Puree
- 2 tbsp Agave
- Handful Basil Leaves
- 2 cups Lemonade, light sugar
Method: Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl and cover. Let the sit for 1 hour. Transfer the mixture to popsicle molds or pushpop bags and freeze overnight.