These watermelon margaritas are made from scratch, right down to the fun watermelon rind garnish. Follow the easy tutorial below to make your drinks extra pretty while saving the rind from the trash can!
When it’s crazy hot outside, fresh watermelon makes the sweetest, most cooling margaritas. Best part is that these watermelon margaritas are trimmed with garnish made from the rind! So clever and tasty!
It’s been so, incredibly, miserably hot lately. And not just here in West Virginia!
July has been busy… a wedding in Virginia, a week in the Outer Banks visiting lighthouses and time with friends in Washington DC… and the heat followed me everywhere I went!
I hate to complain, but when the thermometer hovers in the upper 90s for weeks, its exhausting. But luckily, watermelon season is in full force!
Watermelon makes the hot weather bearable. Not only is it a quintessential summer treat, watermelon has numerous health benefits which are great for hydration. But don’t let all that lycopene and vitamin C deter you from using it liberally in cocktails!
Traditional margaritas are great, in fact all margarita flavors are great, but Watermelon Margaritas are my favorite. They are less acidic, fruity and thirst-quenching. Perfect for those continuous 90 degree days!
I wish I had a video of how quickly the ice melted for this photo shoot! It was so humid that the gorgeous Black Hawaiian Sea Salt ran off the glass in a pool of condensation…and I was taking the pictures INSIDE!!! Do you see the how even the garnish is dripping?
But after taking the photos, I drank one of these ice cold watermelon margaritas! What a sweet, icy way to cool down!
So delicious, but I have to say that these cocktails are as dashing as they are tasty! That’s not just because of the fun watermelon rind garnish or the beautiful watermelon color…the glassware is particularly festive.
Of course, there’s a story behind these Early American Pattern Glasses. I’m always searching for vintage glassware for my food photography, so a couple months ago I was browsing in an antique mall for new props. I came across glasses very similar to these which I figured were restaurant freebies since they were obviously pressed glass in a goblet shape. But they were $25 a glass… so yeah, that wasn’t about to happen.
About a week later I saw three similar glasses in a thrift store for $.99 EACH! No chips, great condition, so yes, I snatched them up and planned to do research later to see what they were. Turns out they are antique EAPG goblets. They’re different patterns, which I think adds to the charm.
I love to mix and match my antique and vintage glassware and juxtapose them with modern pieces. This galvanized aluminum tray came with a gardening set but it’s perfect for casual cocktails.
But no matter how you serve your watermelon margaritas, they will be totes adorbs when you serve them with these watermelon rind cutouts! Take these drinks to the next level by following the tutorial below!
Watermelon Rind Cocktail Garnishes
Materials:
Toothpicks
Mallet
Metal cookie cutters (flowers, stars or whatever shapes you like)
Watermelon rinds, cut to 1/4 inch thick with pink flesh removed
Instructions:
- Place a metal cookie cutter on the watermelon rind and gently tap it with the mallet to cut out the shape.
- Repeat with a smaller cookie cutter.
- Attach the cutouts together with a toothpick and break off the excess.
- With a paring knife, cut a notch in the garnish so it can slide over the glass edge.
Watermelon Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Watermelon Juice
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
Watermelon Margarita
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz watermelon juice
- 1 oz silver tequila
- 1 oz triple sec
- Black sea salt
Instructions
Simple Syrup
- Combine sugar and water together in a medium sauce pan and heat over low heat until sugar crystals have dissolved.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Watermelon Juice
- Puree watermelon in a blender until smooth.
- If desired, strain pulp from juice using a fine mesh sieve or a metal coffee filter.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Watermelon Margarita
- Wet the top of a glass with a wedge of lime and dip in sea salt.
- Combine simple syrup, tequila, lime juice, triple sec and watermelon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously and pour into prepared glass.
- Garnish with watermelon rind or lime wedges.
Nutrition
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marla says
Such beautiful margs! Love the garnish :)
Ben Myhre says
These look beautiful and how meticulous you are on the garnish!!! Fantastic!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks for noticing my garnish skillz!
Erika says
Your gorgeous garnishes are an inspiration, lady! I endeavor to make my next batch of cocktails have even a smidge of your charm.
Vintage Kitty says
Aw thanks Erika! I do have a thing for flair!
Anne says
These are almost too pretty to drink! I love your garnish idea and can’t wait to try it for a party. I could totally go for that Watermelon Margarita right about now :D
Vintage Kitty says
Awwww thanks Anne! OMG your guests will love it!
Rachel says
Your watermelon rind garnishes are fabulous! I’m definitely going to have to have a party just so I can impress my guests with these garnishes! Your cocktail sounds so refreshing too! I love the combo of tequila and watermelon plus the citrus elements sounds awesome!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Rachel! These garnishes are party worthy! Great excuse to have friends over!
Shanna Jones says
Those cutouts are so fantastic! I need to fancy up my cocktails with this idea. Watermelon and margaritas are the perfect combo and with this Houston heat, I would love one right now!
Vintage Kitty says
I hear ya! We’ve been having days of heat warns and all I want to do is drink juice….and margaritas!
Karyl Henry says
There’s a restaurant we go to that puts black sea salt on their margaritas. I’d never heard of it until then, but now I’m on a mission to find some! I also love that you’re using watermelon for these margaritas. I love regular, but you’re right, watermelon is much more mild
Vintage Kitty says
We were gifted black salt… think it may have been a set from Williams-Sonoma? Isn’t it fun to try different salts?
Lauren says
I absolutely love these, they’re so beautiful. They sounds positively delicious too. Watermelon is one of my favorite flavors to pair with tequila.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Lauren! I think every flavor is my favorite flavor to pair with tequila! Hahaha… never enough margaritas!
Marisa Franca says
I love, love, love this!!! The drink looks so good and you are a wonder with the garnish. That is so clever of you! This is a recipe I’ve got to make. And it is crazy hot here too.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Marisa! It’s either make garnish or watermelon rind pickles… I just hate being wasteful. Although worms do love watermelon rinds, so if I’m feeling lazy I’ll put them in the worm bin.
prasanna hede says
Those rind garnishes are too pretty!Perfect drink for summer,this will be perfect for party.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Prasanna! Go have yourself a par-tay!
Julie says
Those garnishes are amazing! I love drinks with a good presentation and this is truly spectacular. I’d never think of using a cookie cutter on a rind because it’s so thick – such a good idea to use the mallet.
Vintage Kitty says
If there’s a will there’s a way… I’m not afraid to put on a toolbelt in the kitchen. #girlpower
elcitrakale says
Love your photos and presentation! And how genius you garnish it..gorgeous.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks! I’ve always told my husband I’m a genius..now I have more than my opinion to prove it! ;-)
Sam says
Wow these look amazing! And just in time for 4th of July! I don’t drink so I am going to try to make a non-alcoholic version
Vintage Kitty says
The garnish is perfect for a watermelon mocktail!
Sri Mallya says
Wow! This looks so gorgeous and refreshing. Perfect for summer!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Sri!
Heather says
Yes please!!! These look refreshing and absolutely delicious. Perfect for summer and those garnishes!!! EEEK … Too cute and very creative
Vintage Kitty says
Awww thanks Heather. I have trouble not being creative! My mind is always churning on new ways to do things.
Laura says
Very refreshing
Vintage Kitty says
So glad you liked it Laura! Cheers!