Watermelon Mint Cooler
This Watermelon Mint Cooler is a refreshing summer BBQ drink made with fresh watermelon, lime juice, mint, and sparkling water. Serve it alcohol-free for a family-friendly cookout drink, or add vodka, white rum, or tequila blanco for an easy adult version.
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine mesh strainer, optional
- Large pitcher
- Cutting board
- Chef knife
- Citrus juicer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Serving glasses
- Long spoon
Ingredients
For the Watermelon Mint Cooler:
- 6 cups seedless watermelon cubed and chilled
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey agave, or simple syrup, optional
- 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups sparkling water chilled
- Ice for serving
For Garnish:
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Lime wheels
- Small watermelon wedges or cubes
Alcohol Option:
- Vodka white rum, or tequila blanco
- Use 1 1/2 ounces per glass or 1 to 1 1/2 cups per pitcher
Instructions
- Prep the watermelon. Cut the seedless watermelon into cubes and chill if needed.
- Blend the base. Add watermelon cubes, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, optional honey or simple syrup, and a pinch of salt to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Strain if desired. Pour the blended watermelon mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher for a smoother drink. Skip this step if you like a thicker fruit-style cooler.
- Chill the base. Refrigerate the watermelon mixture for 30 minutes if you want it extra cold.
- Add sparkling water. Right before serving, stir in chilled sparkling water.
- Serve over ice. Fill glasses with ice, pour in the Watermelon Mint Cooler, and garnish with mint, lime wheels, and watermelon cubes.
- Make it boozy, optional. For an adult version, add 1 1/2 ounces of vodka, white rum, or tequila blanco to each glass, or stir 1 to 1 1/2 cups into the full pitcher.
Notes
Use cold watermelon for the best flavor.
Fresh lime juice works better than bottled lime juice.
Do not add sparkling water until right before serving or the drink will lose its fizz.
Strain the watermelon base for a smoother drink.
Leave it unstrained for more body and fresh fruit texture.
A tiny pinch of salt makes the watermelon taste sweeter.
Taste before serving and adjust with more lime juice or sweetener as needed.
Vodka keeps the adult version clean and simple.
White rum gives it a tropical flavor.
Tequila Blanco turns it into a watermelon margarita-style cooler.
For a frozen version, use frozen watermelon cubes and blend with a splash of water or lime juice.
For parties, make the watermelon base ahead and add sparkling water right before guests arrive.