Watermelon Smash
A Watermelon Smash is the ultimate summer cocktail. Vodka, fresh watermelon, mint, and lime combine for a super refreshing drink that is sure to become your new favorite for beating the summer heat.
For more refreshing Drink Recipes, be sure to check out my Strawberry Pineapple Mojitos, Peach Sweet Tea, and Watermelon Lemonade.
Temperatures have been soaring here in Texas over the past few weeks. It’s the kind of hot where you’re already sweating in the 30 seconds it takes to walk to the car.
If you’re dealing with sweltering temps too, then I’ve got the perfect drink to keep you cool!
Oh yes, this Watermelon Smash is so refreshing, y’all. It is my favorite drink for summer!
Fresh juicy watermelon, lime, and mint are one of my favorite combos already. Muddle it all together with some simple syrup and a generous splash of some good vodka, and you’ll have the perfect cocktail that you’ll want to make all summer long!
Ingredients for a Watermelon Smash (See measurements in recipe card below!)
- vodka
- fresh watermelon
- mint leaves
- lime juice
- simple syrup
How to Make a Watermelon Smash – Step by Step
Step 1: Muddle
Place the chopped watermelon and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker and muddle them together.
Step 2: Add vodka
Add in the vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Step 3: Shake
Fill the shaker with ice. Place the lid on top and shake.
Step 4: Strain and serve
Strain your watermelon smash into a glass filled with ice. Top with a sprig of mint and a slice of watermelon.
Watermelon Smash – Tips and Notes
- Use crushed ice or nugget ice! I love to serve this with either crushed ice or nugget ice, like the kind you get from Sonic. If you don’t have access to either type of ice, just put some regular ice cubes in a blender and pulse a few times to make your own!
- Liquor variations: watermelon blends well with so many types of liquors, so feel free to try this out with something else if you don’t have vodka on hand. I recommend this Watermelon Smash with white rum, tequila, or gin.
- If you’d like to make a frozen watermelon smash, you will need to freeze your watermelon beforehand. Once it’s frozen, blend all of the ingredients with ½ a cup of ice in a blender until smooth.
- For a nonalcoholic mocktail, swap out the vodka for water, seltzer, or club soda!
FAQs
You can purchase bottled simple syrup at liquor stores or grocery stores that carry mixers. I found some at the grocery stores in my area including HEB, Kroger, and Walmart. I actually recommend making your own, though. It’s really easy!
If you’d like to make your own simple syrup at home, it’s really simple (ha!) In a small saucepan, combine one cup of water and one cup of sugar and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool before using.
Yes! This Watermelon Smash recipe is written for one glass, but you can easily make a pitcher and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it, up to 6 hours in advance.
More Summer Recipes You Should Try!
- Old Bay Shrimp Boil
- Strawberry Crunch Cake
- Caprese Salad
- Blueberry Sour Cream Pie
- Pineapple Sunshine Cake
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Watermelon Smash
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon, cut into cubes
- 3 mint leaves
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
Instructions
- Place the chopped watermelon and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker, and muddle them together really well. If you don't have a muddler, use a wooden spoon or a fork to really mash them together, and get as much juice out of the watermelon as possible.
- Add in the vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice. Place the lid on top and shake.
- Strain the drink into a glass filled with ice. Top with a sprig of mint and a slice of watermelon. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use crushed ice or nugget ice! I love to serve this with either crushed ice or nugget ice, like the kind you get from Sonic. If you don’t have access to either type of ice, just put some regular ice cubes in a blender and pulse a few times to make your own!
- Liquor variations: watermelon blends well with so many types of liquors, so feel free to try this out with something else if you don’t have vodka on hand. I recommend making this Watermelon Smash with vodka, white rum, tequila, or gin.
- If you’d like to make a frozen watermelon smash, you will need to freeze your watermelon beforehand. Once it’s frozen, blend all of the ingredients with ½ a cup of ice in a blender until smooth.
- For a nonalcoholic mocktail, swap out the vodka for water, seltzer, or club soda!
So refreshing! The watermelon and mint is such a great combo.
I think this will be my ultimate summer cocktail! It’s so refreshing!
This is definitely going in my summer cocktail rotation! It’s so good and was a huge hit at my pool party!
This drink was a crowd favorite! So delicious and very refreshing!
I tried the Watermelon Smash, and it was fantastic! I’ll definitely be making this again for our next summer gathering.
This sounds SO refreshing! Can’t wait to try it.
This is so bright, fresh and delish! What a perfect drink for summer. Can’t wait to make it again.
Though I don’t drink alcohol at all, I have a few girlfriends who might enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
Ooo I would love to sip on this during the summer. It looks incredible.