Since National Watermelon Day is August 3, we had to feature it and, of course, celebrate it, right?  

So while you’re picking up that super sweet and delicious watermelon, why don’t we turn that into refreshing cocktails and mocktails so we have something for everyone.

Watermelon beverages, the perfect summer drink

There has been a whole lot of talk this summer about high sugar bubbly, in fact, I did a whole blog post to address it and the misconceptions, but adding a naturally sweet fruit to your drink will definitely cut out the need to add any additional sugars like simple syrup or soda.  

And since we’re talking about making cocktails healthier, did you know that watermelon is both a fruit and a vegetable?  So right there, you’re getting a serving of each in your watermelon cocktails or mocktails…doesn’t get better than that, right? 😉

Watermelon Cocktails

Watermelon is called that for a reason…it’s 92% water which definitely made it a bit challenging when we started making these cocktails and mocktails.  

First we tried to freeze the fruit because if you know me at all, I love using frozen fruit in all of my bubbly cocktails and mocktails to keep it naturally cold.  But we didn’t have much luck with this…we’re guessing because of how much water there is.  So, we recommend fresh watermelon for these cocktails and mocktails.

Watermelon Manarita With Bubbly

If you have joined me at any of the Happy Hours I’ve co-hosted, you know I discovered and love Dwayne Johnson’s tequila, Teremana.  I am not a big tequila drinker, but I do love a Paloma (probably because it has bubbles) and a margarita on occasion.  

I typically don’t even keep tequila at my house because I really only drink it when out eating Mexican food, but I bought The Rock’s tequila and it really is that good!

If you follow the Rock on Instagram, he’s always making cocktails with his Teremana Tequila and a few weeks ago he made the Watermelon Manarita.  Now of course, he was missing a key ingredient, the bubbly, in his version, so I had to make one of my own.  Take a look.

To make this Watermelon Bubbly Margarita:

  • 1/3 cup Fresh Watermelon
  • 1.5 oz Tequila
  • .25-.50 oz Agave (depending how sweet you like it)
  • 1/4 Lime
  • Bubbly

Put all ingredients (except bubbly) into a cocktail shaker and muddle well.  Give it a shake and then strain it into a glass…of course, I love a coupe for this. 

Top with bubbly. 

Garnish with a triangle of watermelon and a lime.

TIP:  When you’re just making 1-2 cocktails, use a can of bubbly which is the perfect amount for about 2 drinks. If you’re looking for canned bubbly recommendations, we’ve been sharing them every Thursday on our @bubblysideoflife on Instagram…be sure to follow us there.

The perfect watermelon cocktail with bubbly, of course

Watermelon Mocktails

Now, if you’ve been around a while, you know that my bubblyologist is my 14 year old nephew and we love to create drinks for those who can’t (or don’t want alcohol).  But our #1 criterial is that the drink must have bubbles, whether it be sparkling water or soda, it must have bubbles.  

And here’s what’s great about the mocktails we create together, all you have to do is add a shot of your favorite liquor and swap out the bubbly and you have a matching bubbly cocktail!  Easy as that. 

The Bubbling Watermelon 

  • 1/4 c Fresh Watermelon
  • 1/2 c Honest Watermelon Lemonade
  • 2 t Lime Juice
  • Sprite Lymonade or AHA Lime + Watermelon Sparkling Water

Combine everything (except your bubbly beverage) in a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Give it a quick shake and strain into a glass.

Top with about 1/4 cup of Sprite or sparkling water.

Garnish with watermelon and a lime.

Watermelon mocktails

I found this Honest Watermelon Lemonade at Whole Foods Market, but this drink tastes just as good with regular lemonade.  If you only have regular lemonade and want more of the watermelon flavor, then definitely pick up the AHA Lime + Watermelon Sparkling water.  

Turning the Bubbling Watermelon into a Bubbly Watermelon Cocktail

We, of course, had to test this as cocktail as well so we grabbed our favorite vodka and added 1 oz to the drink.  Depending on your love of vodka, feel free to add a bit more. We also tried this with Aviation Gin and it was good as well.

But that’s not all….since we like to turn all cocktails into bubbly cocktails we also eliminated the non-alcoholic bubbly and topped with Watermelon Sparkling Wine from Wilson Creek Winery.   This watermelon sparkling wine is too sweet for me by itself, but mixing it in a watermelon cocktail or with some brut, is perfect.

Wilson Creek Sparkling Watermelon wine perfect for all of your Watermelon Cocktails

Now, if you can’t get your hands on Watermelon Sparkling Wine, add any brut bubbly.  If you like sweeter drinks, feel free to add an extra dry or dry bubbly.  

Exclusive Bubbly Cocktails

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So while you’re picking up that super sweet and delicious watermelon, why don’t we turn that into refreshing cocktails and mocktails so we have something for everyone. Recipes on the blog! Bubbly Cocktail Recipes | Champagne Recipes | Prosecco Recipes | Mocktails | Cocktails | Bubbly Drinks | Bubbly Cocktails | Bubbly Mocktails | Sparkling Wine | Champagne | Rose all day | Prosecco | Wine | Bubbly Side of Life