Watermelon Margarita
Updated April 26, 2021
Beatriz Da Costa for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Susie Theodorou.
- Total Time
- 5 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Advertisement
Ingredients
FOR THE SALTED RIM (OPTIONAL)
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon Tajín or ½ teaspoon ground cayenne (optional)
FOR THE DRINK
Ice, as needed
6 ounces fresh watermelon juice (from about 1 ½ cups chopped seedless watermelon, blended and strained)
2 ounces tequila, preferably blanco
2 ounces Cointreau (optional)
2 ounces fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 large limes), rinds reserved
2 to 3 thinly sliced jalapeño rounds (optional)
Nutritional analysis per serving
10 grams carbs; 172 calories; 1 gram fiber; 443 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 7 grams sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered by
Preparation
- Step 1
Prepare the salted rim, if using: In a small shallow bowl or plate, combine the sea salt and Tajín. Set aside.
- Step 2
In a shaker filled with ice, combine the watermelon juice, tequila, Cointreau (if using), lime juice and jalapeño (if using). Shake to combine. (Note: The watermelon flavor shines brighter without the Cointreau, but the liqueur takes the drink into more traditional margarita territory. If you’d like to compare, first try the mixture without, the liqueur, then add 1 ounce of it per serving.)
- Step 3
Using one of the squeezed lime halves, run it along the rim of two rocks glasses, then dip the rims into the salt mixture. Fill the glasses with ice, then strain the margaritas into the glasses and enjoy immediately.
Private Notes
Comments
Save yourself some time and energy by cutting up the watermelon and freezing overnight instead of making watermelon juice. It’s a frozen watermelon margarita that will make everyone happy on a hot day. The frozen version is 100 times more popular and delicious than the regular version. And so much easier to make by the picture. Highly recommended for a pool party!
Delicious summery drink! Didn’t bother straining the watermelon, just whirred it up good in the blender and got a lovely, silky juice. Absolutely go for the additional two ounces of liqueur — I subbed triple sec for Cointreau — to make this a real drink for two.
This recipe is delicious, but I found that the lime juice overpowered the watermelon a bit, so I added more watermelon juice than the recipe called for. This gave more of the flavor I was expecting. Also made a batch with mezcal which gave an excellent smoky flavor that paired nicely with the watermelon. Definitely recommend!
Delicious! I used a little more tequila to really taste it. Also, did not bother with straining the watermelon. I just pureed a ripe one and it turned out great. Really like the salt/tahin rim. Great summer drink!
Used Grand Marnier. Delicious but you all must use giant glasses. I used a double old fashioned and had enough for four big drinks. Way too much to consume alone (but I did, stretched it out over many hours)
Yeah I agree if you put Cointreau (we used Grand Marnier) you won't taste the watermelon as much, its there but its not strong, so yeah I would also suggest like him doing it without the Cointreau and see how you like it, and maybe add little Cointreau at a time and go from there.