Juicy chunks of watermelon infused with margarita cocktail ingredients make for a refreshing, tequila-spiked summertime treat!
I will go ahead and say that I was not always that into watermelon. I mean, it's better than cantaloupe for sure but I didn't typically keep it in my fridge unless I'm entertaining. The first time I made this recipe, I needed a contribution for a pool party and got creative in the kitchen. The result was a juicy, boozy batch of margarita-infused watermelon. This is something you will absolutely want to make as soon as summer hits. It's quite amazing.
If you like watermelon, you'll love my Frozen Watermelon Mint Lemonade and Watermelon Rosé Snow Cones too!
What is Margarita-Infused Watermelon?
Margarita-infused watermelon is basically pieces of watermelon soaked in a mixture of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and a little sugar. To make it, you simply pour the mixture over the watermelon and let it chill in the fridge for a while. The result is an almost effortless spiked fruit snack that you'll definitely want to try for your next cookout, pool party, picnic or whatever.
Ice cold watermelon is the ultimate summertime treat and adding this easy twist will make it even more popular at a gathering. I've served it several times over the years and it's a consistent hit. Even my non-watermelon-eating self enjoys margarita-infused watermelon. Must be the booze.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Fresh Watermelon is the star of this show. Frozen watermelon won't work. Be sure to grab the ripest, sweetest juiciest watermelon you can find. Check out my tips for making sure you get the best of the best down below.
Tequila quality is important here so don't skimp. Go for one you would enjoy drinking because the flavor will come through. That's one of my top tips for infusing fruit with liquor.
Orange Liqueur adds to the watermelon flavored margarita vibe. Triple Sec and Cointreau are common options or you could get fancy with Grand Marnier.
Lime Juice rounds out the cocktail flavor profile as with a liquid marg. Juice from fresh limes is best but you can substitute with concentrated or frozen lime juice, if needed.
Sugar is optional but can help balance this recipe if it gets too boozy, especially if your watermelon is not perfectly ripe and naturally sweet.
Fresh Mint is optional but adds a refreshing twist that I recommend you try at least once! It might even combat tequila breath? I can't make any promises.
Juneteenth Cookout Collaboration
Join me in celebrating Juneteenth with more than 30 other Black culinary creators. Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day, signifying the final emancipation of those enslaved in the US announced in 1865.
This year, we are celebrating "Freedom Day" by offering a delightful selection of mains, sides, desserts, and refreshing drinks that are perfect for backyard barbecues and summer gatherings with friends and family.
Join us in honoring the legacy of progress and freedom by cooking and sharing these recipes. Additionally, you can easily follow each participant by using the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2023 on Instagram.
Build Your "Bad & Boujee" Southern Decadence Juneteenth Menu
These dishes offer a luxurious twist on traditional cookout recipes. Gourmet options, including Beef Ribs with Blackberry Whiskey BBQ Sauce, my Margarita Infused Watermelon, and Blood Orange, Beetroot, Walnut, Feta Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, ensure a lavish and indulgent culinary experience for all who gather around your Juneteenth table.
Dash of Jazz - Deviled Egg Dip
Sense and Edibility® - Guava BBQ Party Meatballs
Cooks with Soul - Beef Ribs with Blackberry Whiskey BBQ Sauce
Gimme From Scratch - Blood Orange, Pickled Beets & Feta Salad
Her Mise En Place - Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
Flights and Foods - Hibiscus Spritzer
Kenneth Temple - Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Butter Pecan Sauce
You can find a list of all recipes from the 2023 Juneteenth Virtual Cookout on the Eat the Culture website.
Tips & Tools
Grab a sharp knife and cutting board to prepare the watermelon. I cut mine into chunks but you can do the same with slices or even melon balls. You'll also need a full sheet pan to soak the watermelon in margarita mix.
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. This is a spiked summer fruit dish that gets better with time. Make it up to one day in advance and keep it in the fridge.
How to store tequila watermelon? Keep it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It should keep for up to three days.
How to Serve
This is a very non-fussy watermelon dish made for outdoor easy eating (as long as everyone is of legal drinking age). Serve in a bowl, on a platter, or even out of the same sheet pan used for soaking. If you want to step up the presentation, portion the melon out in cocktail glasses and serve with spoons. Bad and bougie recipe yet beautifully simple.
More Favorite Ice Cold Treats
How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon
To make the best margarita-infused watermelon, you'll want an exceptionally sweet and juicy watermelon. There are few tricks to picking a good watermelon, which I've included below. Keep this list in your back pocket for summertime because knowing how to pick a good watermelon is useful regardless of how you plan to eat it.
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- Thump it. Then listen. The sound should be hollow.
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- Look for the "field" spot. This is where the melon sat on the ground while growing and it should be yellow to golden orange in color.
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- Look for brown "webbing" on the skin of the melon. It may not be pretty but is a sign of more pollination when the melon was a flower and, thus, more sweetness.
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- Look at the "tail" or remnant of the vine. It should be brown. A green one indicates the melon was picked too early.
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- Hold it. The melon should feel heavy for its size.
I hope these tips help you pick a few winners this summer. And sharing is caring so pin this boozy watermelon recipe on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
How to Make Tequila-Infused Watermelon
Margarita-Infused Watermelon
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 sheet pan
- 1 whisk
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 12 cups watermelon cut into cubes
- 2 cups agave tequila
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons sugar optional
- 10 mint leaves chopped
Instructions
- Arrange watermelon in a single layer on a sheet pan.
- Whisk together tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Pour liquid mixture over watermelon.
- Transfer pan to refrigerate and chill for at least one hour up to overnight (the longer the better). Serve cold.
Kaluhi says
So so refreshing and the kick of booziness really elevated the flavors!
Shanna Jones says
You had me at watermelon, then I saw "margarita," and I was sold! I made this for a small gathering last weekend, and everyone was asking for the recipe; so easy and so good!
Marta says
Working on our yard had us sweating! These bites of cool watermelon certainly helped us enjoy the fruits of our labor. Delicious!
Robin says
Like you, I was never a watermelon enthusiast until I tried this recipe. You definitely changed the game!
Chenee says
I had to try this boozy watermelon to contribute to a barbecue this weekend, and it was a huge hit! Your tips on picking the best watermelon helped so much -- the one we picked was SO good!
Lilly says
Watermelon is already my all-time favorite fruit and tequila is my drink of choice, so I was super excited to try this recipe! I used your tips and found the perfect watermelon! The recipe was so easy to make and I had boozy watermelon slices ready in no time! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Jazz says
You're so welcome, Lilly. Thanks for your feedback.
Jen says
I've been meaning to make infused watermelons for ages so this recipe has come just in time! Thanks so much, I look forward to serving this at my next BBQ.