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Why You’ll Love This Frozen Watermelon Margarita
I don’t drink alcohol very often, but when I do, it’s almost always a margarita. Tequila has always been my drink of choice, and after a recent trip to Sayulita, you know I indulged in a margarita…or 5. As soon as I got home, I started experimenting until I landed on a version that tasted fresh, wasn’t overly sweet, and was simple enough to make anytime the weather heats up.
This frozen watermelon cocktail comes together with just 5 simple ingredients. I’ve made this frozen watermelon drink both with and without the tequila, and honestly, both versions disappear fast. The mocktail still has that bright watermelon-lime flavor, which makes it fun for kids, non-drinkers, or anyone who just wants something cold and refreshing. If we’re having friends over, I’ll usually blend up a batch to enjoy with my Instant Pot chicken fajitas because they make such an easy summer dinner together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Diced watermelon, frozen: Freeze seedless watermelon cubes overnight so they blend into a thick, naturally slushy drink without needing ice. Whenever I buy a watermelon, I usually save a few fresh cubes to make my watermelon cucumber salad, too. It’s another one of my favorite ways to enjoy watermelon during the summer.
- 100% agave tequila: Blanco tequila is the most common choice for margaritas, though reposado or añejo work just as well if that’s what you like.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Fresh lime juice gives the brightest flavor and balances the sweetness of the watermelon.
- Raw honey: Adds just enough natural sweetness. Depending on how ripe your watermelon is, you may not need quite as much.
- Sea salt: A salted rim adds the classic margarita finish and balances the sweet fruit.
- Optional: Lime and/or watermelon slices for garnish. An easy garnish that makes these feel extra festive for summer.
Recipe Variations
- Make it a mocktail: I’ve made this plenty of times without the tequila, and it’s just as refreshing. The watermelon and fresh lime still shine, making it a fun frozen drink for kids and anyone skipping the alcohol.
- Use agave instead of honey: If you already have agave syrup in the pantry, it works just as well here and blends in easily.
- Turn it into a watermelon margarita on the rocks: Skip freezing the watermelon and blend everything with fresh watermelon instead. Pour it over ice for a lighter, more traditional margarita.
- Add a little orange flavor: If you enjoy a more classic margarita, add a splash of triple sec or a little fresh orange juice. I usually leave it out because I love letting the watermelon be the star, but both are delicious options.
How to Make Watermelon Margaritas
Step 1: Pour the sea salt into a small dish. Run a lime wedge around the rims of 4 glasses to lightly moisten them, then dip each rim into the salt until evenly coated.
Step 2: Place the frozen watermelon, tequila (if using), lime juice, and honey in a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth and thick, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed. If the watermelon is frozen solid, let it sit on the counter for 3 to 5 minutes before blending. That little bit of thawing helps everything come together much more easily.
Step 3: Taste the mixture and add a little more honey if needed. Divide the frozen watermelon margarita between the prepared glasses, garnish with lime wedges or watermelon slices, and serve immediately while it’s nice and slushy.
Expert Tips
- Freeze the watermelon cubes in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer bag so they don’t freeze into one large block.
- Choose a ripe watermelon by looking for one with a creamy yellow field spot, which usually means it had more time to ripen on the vine and will be sweeter.
- Taste before adding more honey since every watermelon is naturally a little different.
- Use fresh lime juice for the brightest, freshest flavor.
- If your blender struggles, let the frozen watermelon sit at room temperature for 3 to 5 minutes before blending. A high-powered blender gives the smoothest texture, but this trick helps almost any blender without watering down the drink.
What to Serve With Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
These frozen watermelon margaritas pair especially well with grilled meats and Mexican-inspired dinners. They’re delicious with my chicken taquitos or grilled lemon curry shrimp skewers, or this favorite authentic pollo asado, especially on warm summer evenings when you want something fresh and easy.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- I love serving these with chips and homemade guacamole while everyone gathers because both can be prepped ahead of time.
- This frozen watermelon margarita is best enjoyed right after blending while it’s thick, icy, and slushy. If you do have leftovers, pour them into popsicle molds for a refreshing frozen treat instead of trying to save the drink for later.
- To get a head start, freeze the watermelon cubes several days in advance and keep them in a freezer-safe bag. Then all you have to do is toss everything into the blender whenever you’re ready to make a batch.
Recipe FAQs
The trick is freezing the watermelon instead of adding ice. As it blends, it creates a thick slushie texture that stays cold much longer without becoming diluted.
Absolutely! Just leave out the tequila for an easy frozen watermelon mocktail that’s just as refreshing.
Blanco tequila is the most common choice for margaritas because of its clean flavor, but reposado or añejo are both delicious options if you prefer them.
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Frozen Watermelon Margarita Recipe (5 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 5 cups diced watermelon, frozen
- 3/4 cup 100% agave tequila, omit for AIP or if avoiding alcohol
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp raw honey, or more, to taste
- Sea Salt
- Optional: lime and/or watermelon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour sea salt into a small dish. Run a lime wedge around the rims of 4 glasses to wet them, then dip them into sea salt.Sea Salt
- Place frozen watermelon, tequila (if using), lime juice, and honey in a high-powered blender, and blend until smooth.5 cups diced watermelon, 3/4 cup 100% agave tequila, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 tbsp raw honey
- Taste and add more honey, if needed.
- Divide the slushie into the prepared glasses, then garnish with lime wedges and watermelon slices before serving.Optional: lime and/or watermelon slices
Notes
- Freeze the watermelon cubes in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer bag so they don’t freeze into one large block.
- Choose a ripe watermelon by looking for one with a creamy yellow field spot, which usually means it had more time to ripen on the vine and will be sweeter.
- Taste before adding more honey since every watermelon is naturally a little different.
- Use fresh lime juice for the brightest, freshest flavor.
- If your blender struggles, let the frozen watermelon sit at room temperature for 3 to 5 minutes before blending. A high-powered blender gives the smoothest texture, but this trick helps almost any blender without watering down the drink.
- This frozen watermelon margarita is best enjoyed right after blending while it’s thick, icy, and slushy. If you do have leftovers, pour them into popsicle molds for a refreshing frozen treat instead of trying to save the drink for later.
- To get a head start, freeze the watermelon cubes several days in advance and keep them in a freezer-safe bag. Then all you have to do is toss everything into the blender whenever you’re ready to make a batch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
