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Sarah

Watermelon Cosmopolitan Recipe

This easy summer cocktail recipe uses fresh watermelon juice for a sweet and refreshing twist on the classic cosmopolitan.

Equipment

No Equipment Needed

Difficulty

Very Easy


martini glass with watermelon cosmopolitan next to whole and fresh cut watermelon

Watermelon Cosmopolitan or Watermelon Martini?


When I discussed this beverage in my family group chat my sister insisted that it is a watermelon martini, since the cranberry juice is imperative to a cosmo. I hold that since the other ingredients (vodka and Cointreau) and proportions are still the same as for a cosmo, then it's a cosmo. And it's my food blog, so........ha! She also called it "adult agua fresca" which is pretty funny.


But semantics and good-natured sister bantering aside, it is absolutely delicious!

Perfect summer cocktail recipe for hot days!

Watermelon is one of the most quintessential summer flavors. Its pretty pink color and natural sweetness work perfectly for a (ahem) cosmopolitan recipe. They are so juicy and refreshing that watermelon drinks automatically make sense! Finally, watermelons are quite large and it helps to have extra ideas for how to use it all. So try this watermelon cosmo (or martini) this summer!




Substitutions:


Substitute for watermelon juice: If you don't have watermelon or watermelon juice then it more or less defeats the point of this recipe, but you can always make a normal cosmo! To make a traditional cosmopolitan follow the exact recipe above, merely replacing the watermelon juice with 1 oz (30ml) cranberry juice instead. Watermelon is a more delicate flavor than cranberry juice, that is why you need twice as much watermelon juice for the flavors to balance, or rather, only half as much cranberry juice.


Substitute for lime juice: Lime juice is the preferred citrus juice used universally in cosmos, but if you don't have any it is still possible to replace it. In a pinch you can use orange juice, cranberry juice, or even lemon juice, though both orange juice and cranberry juice work better than lemon. The reason the citrus juice is used is to add a touch of sour brightness to counterbalance the sweetness of the watermelon juice. It really helps to round out the flavors and make a more pleasing finished watermelon cocktail that is an explosion of the bright fruit flavors of summer!



What kind of vodka should I use?

Absolut, Smirnoff, and Grey Goose are three of the most common and popular vodka brands that work really well in this recipe. All three brands are fairly affordable, smooth and generically flavored, and can easily work in various other kinds of cocktails, making them extremely versatile. It is worth noting that some bartenders prefer to use Absolut Citron for cosmopolitans. Though we think it is not necessary in this recipe, if you happen to have some already in your bar then you might experiment with how you prefer the vodka in this watermelon drink. If you don't have any already, don't bother buying it just for this recipe.



Cointreau or Triple Sec?

Both Cointreau and Triple Sec are orange-flavored liqueurs, but there are some differences in their flavors and alcohol contents.

Triple Sec is actually a broad term for the category of triple distilled orange-flavored liqueurs and covers the products of several different brands. Cointreau is a specific top shelf brand of Triple Sec from France that is known for its extra depth and complexity of flavor, whereas other Triple Secs tend to be sweeter, syrupy, and have a more straightforward orange flavor. Cointreau also has a higher alcohol content than is general for Triple Sec.

Basically, Cointreau is premium Triple Sec. While you can use both in this recipe we find that the extra depth of the Cointreau adds more roundness to the flavors since the ingredients are fairly simple in this watermelon mixed drink. Though if you have a tight budget, you can skip the Cointreau in favor of a more affordable Triple Sec.



Can I use Grand Marnier instead of Triple Sec?

Grand Marnier is an orange-flavored liqueur that has been blended with cognac. The cognac adds a different type of depth of flavor that is very luxurious, but somewhat limited in its use for mixed drinks. In the case of this watermelon cosmo, Grand Marnier's extra flavors do not go as well with the watermelon juice as Cointreau or straight Triple Sec, so we suggest avoiding Grand Marnier for this drink. If all you have is Grand Marnier and you're looking to try a cocktail to use up some watermelon then go for it, but we think it is not as good, and therefore not worth the extra price.



Pro tips!

The easiest way to juice watermelon: The watermelon must be juiced and strained for this recipe. While it is very possible to mash the watermelon to oblivion with a fork, if you have one of those handheld citrus juicers that squeeze a lemon between two handles (you can see below in the photos if you don't understand what I mean) it works really well for juicing watermelon chunks! They collapse so easily when pressed! Beware that they can sometimes spray juice around when squeezed, so do this step somewhere that is easy to clean.


Use fresh lime juice! It is so easy to buy pre-squeezed lime juice in a bottle that it may be tempting to use it, but avoid doing this. The pre-squeezed lime juice has an odd flavor that isn't very appealing and can become pronounced in such a simple drink. Instead, squeeze fresh lime juice for the most impressive final product, don't risk lessening the tastiness of your watermelon cocktail. If you substitute the lime juice for lemon juice it is also better to squeeze the lemon fresh for the same reason. You could get away with pre-squeezed orange juice and bottled cranberry juice if needed.


Chill the glass: While this tip is less important than the others, this little attention to detail can improve your drinker's experience. Especially if the weather is hot! There is nothing more refreshing than a cold drink in a chilled glass! So if you happen to plan ahead, and remember to do it, put the martini glass into the freezer 30 minutes to 1 hour before use to give it a nice, chilly, frosted surface.



Let's Begin:


fresh watermelon, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice prepared in small bowls

Gather your ingredients. Be sure the watermelon has been cut into chunks to make juicing easier. It is also better if the watermelon was chilled ahead of time. If the watermelon is cooler when shaking or mixing the cocktail it will help prevent the ice from melting too quickly and watering the drink down. If it is not possible to chill the watermelon ahead of time then don't worry about it.


There is no need to measure the vodka and Cointreau individually into small bowls. I only did it for the photos, you can save yourself the effort and extra dishes and just measure them straight into a cocktail shaker or glass.



watermelon being juiced in a handheld juicer for fresh watermelon juice

Juice the watermelon and lime with either a juicer or a fork. Strain the juice into a cocktail shaker or glass. As mentioned in the pro tip, the type of handheld juicer in this photograph works really well for juicing watermelon. Juice them one chunk as a time though, don't crowd them as tight as possible in the juicer. The one chunk at a time goes very rapidly anyway. You can save the leftover watermelon flesh for a smoothie!



pink watermelon martini next to watermelon both whole and freshly cut

Add the ice, vodka, and Cointreau. Shake or stir until combined and chilled, then strain it into a martini glass. Don't shake or stir it for too long or the ice will start to melt too rapidly and water down the cocktail, so as soon as the drink is combined and cold move on to straining it.


How to garnish this cocktail: This drink doesn't require any garnish, but if you want to garnish it I suggest using a crushed mint leaf floating in the top or a curl of orange peel. The problem with garnishing it with watermelon pieces on a toothpick is that the watermelon pieces float and become unruly, so it is not very attractive.


Enjoy with friends while relaxing in the warm summer weather!



What can I serve with this Watermelon Cosmopolitan recipe?

This is a great cocktail for a hot summer cookout, during an elegant brunch, or for sipping poolside! Really, any sort of friendly, warm-weather enjoyment is perfect for refreshing watermelon drinks. Perhaps you have an upcoming party and you want to serve this watermelon cocktail, but need more ideas for what to serve with it as food? I recommend any kind of recipe for cookouts or picnics, but if you need some specific examples I suggest;

This would also be a really nice aperitif served with a summer appropriate appetizer, such as a selection of fresh fruit and crackers, or perhaps cheeses. It also pairs very nicely with strawberry, raspberry, and chocolate desserts and truffles. Or you can always just enjoy sipping it plain with no accoutrement! It is so sweet and tasty that it can stand up on its own without any accessories.



Storage.

This watermelon cosmo recipe will last in the fridge in an airtight container for 24 hours before is starts to degrade. Watermelon juice itself will last in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days, and whole watermelon chunks will last for several days in the fridge as long as they are covered.


Can I make it ahead of time? Since it does a pretty good job of lasting, it is possible to make a pitcher of this summery cosmo a few hours before a party, cutting down any time you might need to spend bartending. If you do make it ahead of time, be sure you stir the pitcher before serving to ensure everything is evenly distributed. If you make a pitcher also be sure to not overpour people's drinks too quickly, it has alcohol in it after all.



What about you?

Well, what do you think? Is this drink a watermelon cosmopolitan or a watermelon martini? I'm a firm believer that use of a martini glass does not a martini make, but my older sister thinks it is a better catch-all phrase for drinks outside the classics. In our group chat my dad sided with my older sister, my husband sided with me (of course, since he was the one to create and name the cocktail), and my younger sister simply posted a gif of Angela Lansbury excitedly stuffing popcorn into her mouth, ha! So we can decide this with managed democracy! Vote in the poll below in support of your preferred cocktail term!



What kind of cocktail is this watermelon mixed drink?

  • 0%Watermelon Cosmopolitan

  • 0%Watermelon Martini


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