Watermelon Margaritas

I have so much fun picking out watermelons that I have been buying a lot of watermelons.  Yes, I typically cut the oblong-ical (what’s the oval word for spherical?!) right in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. That’s because the melon half makes a perfect bowl. And I live by myself. It’s a No-Bowl dessert!

But I recently bought so many melons that I had to get a little more creative (apologies in advance for the number of watermelon recipes you’re going to see this summer).  First up isn’t eating watermelon, but drinking it.

I debated on doing an “agua fresca,” something I experienced a number of times on gloriously “Sunny and 72” days in Los Angeles (I lived there for seven years). But ultimately decided on a different drink with Mexican heritage—the margarita. 

I am not an avid cocktail maker, but I am an avid cocktail drinker. And drinking margaritas are one of my specialties! I enjoyed both making this and drinking this, so here we are! (Of course that “If I can make it, you can make it” 100% applies here.)

I chose not to strain my blended watermelon because I am looking for shortcuts more times than not. Plus, a little watermelon pulp doesn’t bother me! But, you can choose to strain the blended pulp for a smoother, more liquidy beverage. Also, my family protested “we can’t taste the tequila!” It’s there. 1 ounce per cocktail. You can just sit the bottle of tequila next to the cocktails like I did. Or wedges of lime to adjust to your taste!

Batch Watermelon Margarita Recipe

Makes 4 cocktails

Watermelon Margarita Ingredients

2 pounds cubed seedless watermelon, cold (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup (about 4 limes) fresh-squeezed lime juice + more for the glasses’ rims
1/2 cup good white tequila
salt (optional, for the rims)*

*Note: I added a teaspoon of creole seasoning along with the salt for some kick. Cayenne pepper would work great, too. But folks like my mom don’t want a salt rim on such a bright cocktail, so a sugar rim or no rim works great too!

Watermelon Margarita Method

1. Add the watermelon and lime juice to a blender. Blend the watermelon to a fine pulp. (Be sure to remove any black seeds—the tiny, thin white seeds are fine).

2. Pour the watermelon juice into a pitcher. If straining, strain the watermelon pulp through a sieve to get rid of the foam and fleshy bits.

3. Stir in the tequila.

4. If salting or sugaring the glass rims, do that now. Fill the glasses with ice.

5. Pour, dividing equally among four glasses. Enjoy this refreshing, boozy summer beverage!