Growing up in Louisiana many summer days involved eating watermelon. Since my grandfather and uncles were farmers and had several acres of watermelon, we had access to as much watermelon as we could eat or put up. Anything we couldn’t eat was juiced, then used for sorbet, drank over ice, or frozen for later. The rind became watermelon rind preserves. When I moved to New Mexico, I lost access to an unlimited supply of watermelon, but it’s still readily available; therefore, when I can get a good watermelon, I’ll juice at least half and make these watermelon coolers. These make a hot day feel much cooler.
The instructions below explain my method of juicing a watermelon and how to make a watermelon cooler. Be forewarned that one watermelon yields A LOT of juice; therefore, you’ll have lots of juice for sorbets, coolers and freezing. You can also use some of the juice for watermelon ice cubes. Watermelon ice cubes can be used in a glass of sparkling water, making a very beautiful beverage.
If watermelons are plentiful where you are, I would highly recommend buying one to juice. If it’s large enough, make this watermelon and preserved lemon salad first, then juice the rest. The pulp can be used in a sorbet with some juice or as a hot topping for ice cream. Save the rind and make these Watermelon Rind Candies. And the juice? If you are like me, you’ll be having watermelon juice for breakfast, a watermelon cooler for a midafternoon break, then a watermelon cocktail after 5 p.m. No juice leftover to freeze in this house.
Watermelon Coolers Recipe
The perfect cooler for a hot summer’s day. It’s watermelon in a glass. Can be served with or without the vodka.
NOTE: The amount of juice you get depends on the size of the watermelon.
*See Kitchen Notes for more information on ingredients and methods.
- 1 medium to large seedless watermelon
- 1.5 ounces 1 jigger vodka* (optional)
- Several fresh mint leaves
- Lime wedges*, 1/2 lime cut into 4 pieces
You’ll need an immersion blender or regular blender, or do it the old fashion way and use a colander.
Cut the watermelon in half, then into wedges.
- Using a large spoon, scoop out the flesh of the melon, break into pieces, and transfer the pieces to a tall vertical container. (Remove any black seeds that may be in the melon.)
When the container is about 3/4 full, juice the flesh using an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and blend.
Strain the juice by pouring it through a strainer into a large bowl. Use a spatula to move the pulp around so as much of the juice as possible can strain through.
- Use the juice for coolers, cocktails, just juice, and watermelon ice cubes. Refrigerate or freeze the extracted pulp for another use.
- Place a sprig of mint in the bottom of an 8 ounce glass. Top with a few ice cubes.
- Move the cubes around the glass, bruising the mint.
- Add more ice cubes until the glass is half full. Watermelon ice cubes work great.
- Add the vodka (optional).
Fill the glass with watermelon juice*.
- Squeeze a wedge of lime into the juice and stir.
- Garnish with another sprig of mint.
- If you have a cocktail shaker, just put all of the ingredients in a shaker and give it a shake.
- Pour some of the juice into an ice tray and freeze.
The juice keeps in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can always freeze what you don’t use.
The lime – In some cases, lemon can be substituted for lime; however, this is not one of those cases. We’ve tried these with lemon as well as preserved lemon and neither worked. So stick with lime.
The vodka – For a watermelon cocktail, vodka works quite well. If you’ve ever spiked a whole watermelon by cutting a small hole in the rind, and inserting a bottle of vodka upside down, then you already know this. 
I’m not sure if another alcohol like gin, tequila, or rum would work, but you could always give one of those a try. If you do, please let me know how it works.
Sweetener – If the watermelon you pick is ripe, the juice should be plenty sweet; therefore, no sweetener is needed. However, if the watermelon is not quite ripe, then you might choose to add a little of your preferred sweetener.
Watermelon ice cubes – If you get a chance, make the ice cubes. The cubes keep the cocktail from becoming watered down as you sip it. For the cooler (the non-alcoholic version), it really doesn’t matter. The coolers go down so quickly that the ice doesn’t have a chance to melt.
Variations – These coolers are very intensely watermelon. Here are other ways to use the juice:
- If you want to stretch out the juice or lighten up the drink a bit, then use half juice and half sparkling water, but don’t forget the lime!
- For more of a watermelon flavored cooler, just pour some sparkling water over the watermelon ice cubes.
- You could also make a watermelon slushy and blend the watermelon and some lime juice with ice. For a slushy, you wouldn’t have to juice. Just use the flesh OR use the pulp that’s leftover from juicing.
There aren’t many cocktails on my website, but if you’d like to see more, check these out:
MJ, these watermelon coolers look so refreshing! Just the thing for a hot summer’s day. The color is so pretty. I’m going to grab an extra watermelon next time I’m at the market!
Thanks Kelly! Hope you enjoy! My husband came home yesterday with another watermelon, so another juicing coming up. 🙂
Over here, there are watermelons wherever you turn to. I have never made a cooler or rind preserves and it seems tasty and so perfect to cool a bit while it’s super hot like these days … Also, it is so frugal since the rind could be used too and that’s what I like the most : use everything that could possible be used while the season is on. Thank you so much MJ !
And a big thanks to you as well Darlin! My mother’s middle name was frugal and it all rubbed off. I’m sure your mom is the same way. 🙂 Hope you enjoy both the coolers and the rind candies.
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I will definitely try to make it! Looks great!
Wow, what beautiful coolers! I bet these are extremely refreshing in this hot, humid weather. Yum!
Thanks Jennie! It was definitely the hot, dry weather here that inspired me to make these. 🙂
Peach Lady thanks for this timely post. Now I know what to do with the not so sweet watermelon in my fridge. 🙂
This is definitely the way to go with a not so sweet watermelon! Also works for mushy, overripe ones. Hope you’re doing well!
After a stay in the freezer, cubes of watermelon become “ice” for this margarita, which gets an herbal edge from basil-infused tequila.
Sounds good! Thanks!
These sounds wonderful, MJ. Sometimes it isn’t the flavor but the texture of a watermelon that can be off putting, so it goes in the compost. Love the idea of juicing it for drinks. 🙂
Thanks Judy! Oh – sounds like you’ve been getting some overripe melons. They are definitely mushy which yes – can be quite off putting. Those are the melons that are perfect for juicing.
Delicious and colorful watermelon cooler’s nobody can resist, Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop.
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I love watermelon in the summer. We grew up drinking the juice or as is called in Mexico, ague de sandia. Your alcoholic version sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing the juicing and freezing tip, never occurred to me. Thanks for being a part of the YBR this month:)
Thanks Nancy! One of the first Spanish words that I learned when I moved to NM was “sandia”. The Sandia Mountains form the east boundary of my fair city and in the winter they turn watermelon red or “Sandia red” at sunset. Thanks for reminding me that watermelon juice is actually “aque de sandia”!
I love your watermelon story too, MJ! You must be an expert in picking great watermelons as you love them very much. I need to brush up my skills. 🙂 Love your watermelon cooler. When I posted the watermelon juice, some readers suggested putting alcohol which I had never thought of! =P (you can tell I’m not much of a drinker to begin with). I would love to drink fruit and alcohol together than strong alcohol taste. 😉 Thanks for this recipe. I’ll give this version a try this summer!
Thanks Nami! We do have very similar stories. I was smiling the whole time I was reading it. I do have to admit that I am pretty good about picking out a watermelon. Just listen for the low frequency thump. 🙂
I made watermelon margaritas once and watermelon cocktails are wonderful! I love your Watermelon Coolers, and this is a great tutorial on how to juice the watermelon as well. Thank you for sharing this refreshing summer drink with the Hearth and Soul Hop, MJ 🙂
Thanks April! Watermelon margaritas sound awesome! Definitely will have to try that one next. Thank you for hosting Hearth & Soul each week. 🙂
YUM. This looks amazing and I love the idea of watermelon ice cubes!!
You’ve got me really excited over watermelon, MJ! Fresh watermelon juice, nutmeg juice, & pineapple juice are the elixirs that keep us alive throughout the year in my tropical country. I miss them so much but cannot find the excuses to enjoy them until summer hits Minnesota. Now it’s the time! We have two types of watermelon growing in the garden right now. Can’t wait! Love your watermelon ice cubes idea.
Thanks so much Reese! I didn’t realize that watermelon was popular in Asian countries until I posted this. I read a post over at Nami’s yesterday and her experience was similar to mine as well. Nutmeg juice? Now that sounds quite interesting. Have never heard of it! Have a wonderful weekend!
So you know that this Mississippi boy loves watermelon. And I know you’re a southern girl because you like salt on watermelon! It’s the only way we ate it when i was growing up. This post takes me back to those summer days on my grandmother’s porch with newsprint spread out and watermelon seeds everywhere. Thank God for seedless watermelons these days! Watermelon, vodka, and lime. What’s not to love about that??
Thanks Bill! Yep – us Grits love our salted watermelon! 🙂 I’ve noticed that watermelon brings back a lot of memories for people. And I’m with you -I don’t miss the seeds!
Well, that just looks spectacular! And it’s perfect for a hot afternoon. Thanks!
Oh YUM! I love this refreshing and delicious cocktail:-) I have mint growing, and Grey Goose waiting to be enjoyed! I am soaking pineapple in vodka, tequila, and rum. I read that watermelon is a great fruit to soak in alcohol too, now I NEED to try it! Your cocktail really is beautiful, Hugs, Terra
Gorgeous, MJ!
No such thing as optional vodka for me. But then again I’m a glutton. 😉 Seriously though sounds very refreshing and ideal right about now as the heat is rising here in DC.
…thanks for the visit to my site and I’ll be sure to place you in my reader. Cheers!
I’m with you on the vodka thing Jed! 🙂 I hope you get a chance to try them. Thanks for stopping by!
Love the colour! This watermelon cooler will definitely bring some relief from heat. Wonderful recipe!
This would really go well during summer, well I still have to wait for 5 more months 🙂
Wow MJ,
This recipe is a keeper for me. I love the addition of vodka. So refreshing!
I love the combo of watermelon and mint! So refreshing!
Nice cooler 🙂
I have never juiced a watermelon but that drink looks so good! Next time they are cheap I will have to give it a go. Cheers
Love the color of these! So gorgeous.
MJ, this is without any doubts the most beautiful of all your posts! And I don’t say this because I love watermelon! Your photos are breathtaking. I mean it.
Did you know that watermelon is looked down on by many French people? I don’t live in France, but my French family cannot understand how I can prefer it from orange melon… the French favourite.
This cocktail not only looks gorgeous, but it sounds so luscious! I must test it very soon.
In the meantime I bought some rhubarb and will be making a rhubarb drink tonight. Probably the last chance this year. Luckily new exciting fruits and vegetables arrive soon.
You are SO SWEET Sissi! Thanks for the comment about the pictures! The color of the juice and remembering that I needed fresh watermelon for the picture made it easy. It was fun! I did NOT know that French people looked down on it! That’s quite interesting. But that’s o.k. – just leaves more for the rest of us. 🙂 A rhubarb drink! Sounds yummy! Hope you post it. Have a fabulous weekend my friend!
This is a first for me, I’ve never seen watermelon juiced and used as a beverage for summer.. and with vodka, I can see these being a big hit! I love your idea of using the juice for ice cubes as well.. you’ve got so many uses for watermelon I’ve never considered before!! Love it! xx
Thanks Barbara! Watermelon was a HUGE part of my life growing up, so I learned a lot about it’s benefits and possibilities. I’ve got a couple more ideas I need to try. 🙂
Your watermelon coolers look gorgeous MJ. I have never juiced a watermelon so I find this post both inspiring and helpful. I do know watermelons are primarily water but I’m glad you confirmed that one will usually do the trick in terms of creating lots of juice. We haven’t really hit our stride in terms of warm weather here (any time now ;-)), but I hear you, this beautiful drink would be so refreshing and do a great job of cooling the ambient temperatures. Lovely. Very nice photos MJ!
Thanks Kelly! Yes, they are mostly water and GOOD water at that! 🙂 If the juice sets overnight it will separate and you’ll see that it’s water and very fine pulp particles. But once it’s stirred again, it makes a fabulous drink! Have a great weekend!
It sounds super refreshing and I can see you carrying this big watermelon 🙂
Thanks Marta! I let the husband get it out of the car for me. 🙂
I’m surprised you don’t remember juicing out watermelons for the freezer when we were kids. Besides peas and corn, when we would come home from the country in the summer we would usually have a trunk load of watermelon. I remember lining them up against the wall in the kitchen and attacking them one-by-one. Sometimes the last one or two would be over-ripe by the time we got to eating them. Besides the not so flavorful ones, juicing is a good use for over-ripe melons. Daddy LOVED watermelon juice! On his deathbed he asked for watermelon juice. Since it was October, there weren’t many around, but I found one in Minden. Watermelon juice is really good for upset stomachs. I gave it to my kids for tummy aches when they were little. Watermelon juice and hot and sour soup would cure almost anything. I have had watermelon juice with Vodka before but always felt it needed a little punch, so this year I’ll add the lime juice and mint. Watermelon coolers and Salty Dogs – bring it on Summer time. I’m ready.
Good morning Sis! Oh I do remember y’all juicing watermelon and how Mama and Dad both loved it, but I don’t remember it to the extent that you are describing. I guess I was out on the street curb with Larry selling watermelon for 25 cents a piece. 🙂 Aunt F was having some problems while I was there and the watermelon certainly seemed to have helped her out. I’ve used it for stomach aches as well. The lime and mint do add that punch your looking for so I hope you enjoy it. Bobby loves these cocktails and he’s usually not a fan of sweet alcoholic drinks, but since these aren’t too sweet and have the lime, he loves them. We finished off the juice last night, so I’ve been asked to get another watermelon before the weekend. 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful comment as always!
Vodka optional? Maybe at your house, MJ. 🙂
This sounds fantastic, I only wish I had seen it a few days ago. My neighbors gave me a half-watermelon to thank me for a favor. I ate it though it wasn’t the sweetest and a bit of a disappointment. Now even more so when I think I could be sipping one of your coolers right now. Not to worry. I will soon enough. Thanks for a great cocktail, MJ. Salute!
Thanks John! It is so disappointing to get bad tasting fruits and vegetables. You don’t know what to do them, so you eat them anyway. Well, now you have a solution for dull tasting watermelon. 🙂 Cheers!
So refreshing and perfect for summertime! I wish I had one right now. 🙂
This looks like the most refreshing drink in the existence of all drinks 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru! That’s sweet!
I would loooove this drink. Pity that here in central Europe watermelons are not so usual. But I think I have to try your drink. Love vodka and love watermelon. This would be perfect drink for me :).
Thanks Kadri! Sorry to hear that you don’t get watermelon where you are. I would have to have them shipping in. 🙂 Hope you can find one.
Love this. Lime and watermelon go so good together. Love the ice cube trick.
Un
So refreshing and beautiful!
Wow, that looks amazing. So refreshing, colorful and vibrant. Gorgeous photos too.
I’ve never juiced a watermelon! And I’ve had some that totally lacked flavor – now I’ll know what to do. 😉 This sounds like a lot of fun – I have to try this at some point. Plus I get to make a new cocktail! The vodka sounds good; some dark rum might be nice, too. Off topic, but the seedless watermelons we’ve been getting this year are all so small! I don’t know if it’s because it’s still relatively early in the season, but some of them look more like honeydews than watermelons, in terms of size at least. Anyway, good stuff – thanks so much.
You read my mind John! When I posted this I was hoping that you would come up with another version. I do happen to have some dark rum that I’ll try, but hopefully we’ll see what you come up with someday soon. 🙂 Last year we had the problem with the tiny watermelons, but this year I’ve been able to find medium to even large watermelon at Whole Foods and Costco. If you have one of those nearby, you might check them out. Have a great weekend!
Oh Mj, I am in love with your cooler…it looks so beautiful…you have captured it so perfectly….unfortunately watermelon season just got over…so bookmarking this to try out…
Thanks so much Nisa! Sorry that watermelon season is over whee you are. Next year. 🙂
Those glasses of watermelon coolers are so pretty. The ice cube itself is I think really a great idea and I would do the same thing. Thank you for this refreshing drink recipe especially for this coming hot summer weeks. I hope you and Bobby are enjoying the week. 🙂
Thanks Ray! It was hot again today here, but we still sat on the front porch and drank a couple of watermelon coolers. 🙂 What a great drink to beat the heat and yes, they are pretty. 🙂 Have a marvelous Friday and weekend!
Beautiful, MJ! I love that rich red color of a good watermelon. We grew up in NW Arkansas, and always had watermelons throughout the summer. In fact, it’s just not summer for us without a few ice cold watermelons. I want to buy one just to juice it now!
Thanks Nana! I’ve been quite lucky this year to find such good watermelon this early. Usually it’s August before they get good. Hope you find some good watermelons this season.
The color of your drink was inviting! First time I came across such a drink made with vodka. Thanks for sharing MJ….
Thanks! It is a pretty color isn’t it. I was lucky to find a good watermelon. 🙂
Your watermelon cooler is beautiful. I love watermelon but have to say it just isn’t at it’s peak yet. I had so e last night with dinner and it was marginal at best.
I love all your ideas and uses for this delicious fruit and now can’t wait to try them all. I think I might like it best with sparkling water with lime since I’m not much of a vodka fan. Looking forward to trying these.
Thanks Vicki! They are just coming in here to the big stores, but no local ones yet. That’s o.k. I want my watermelon whenever I can get it. 🙂 These are delicious without the vodka so no worries there.
Oh wow your watermelon juice looks so rich! Our watermelons here that they sell commercially don’t have much taste, so usually I don’t make juice that often and because of that I don’t order watermelon juice in the restaurants or shaks. Only if we get those watermelons from the southern ladies, then we make a whole lots of juice! My husband likes it with some salt. ^.^ So you have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time, in between time…? nice one MJ! =D
Thanks Helene! Sorry that you can’t get good watermelon except from the southern ladies. The best watermelons in the states usually comes from the south as well. 🙂 You can have been raised in the south and not like watermelon!
Love the addition of vodka… now that’s a way to sit and sip away the long hot summer. 🙂