8 Watermelon Cocktails. Because Summer

Basically synonymous with picnics, pool parties, and summer in general, Citrullus lanatus, also known as watermelon, is an African native whose cousins include cucumbers and pumpkins. Loved by many for its tastiness, its cooling and hydrating properties, and its low-calorie, phytonutrient-rich red, pink or yellow flesh, it makes a damn fine agua fresca and is a great friend to home mixologists.

In celebration of this dog-day’s mainstay, here are some delightful cocktails to try. As always, if you have specific spirit brand allegiances you should feel free to run with them. (We did learn SKYY Vodka has a new watermelon infused bevvie so in that case the recommendations are specific.)

As for actual watermelons… We recommend seedless. And for food-waste hawks, Aaron Polsky of Harvard and Stone has a cool DIY infused vodka using the rinds.

SKYY Watermelon Martini

Ingredients
1 part SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon
1 part Watermelon juice or Club soda
0.25 parts simple syrup
0.25 parts lime juice

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

Watermelon Delight Soda

Ingredients
1.5 parts SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon
Fill with Club Soda

Directions: Build over ice. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and frozen watermelon ice cubes.

Watermelon Rose Refresher

Ingredients
1 part SKYY Infusions Sun-Ripened Watermelon
1 part Aperol
3 parts Sparkling Rosé
1 part Soda or Tonic Water

Directions: Build in a large wine glass over ice. Garnish with watermelon balls, lime wheels and a cucumber ribbon.

Spicy Seed-to-Rind Gimlet

Recipe by Aaron Polsky of Harvard and Stone

Ingredients
2 oz. watermelon rind-infused vodka
1 oz. fresh lime juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes TABASCO® Sauce
1 infused watermelon rind, trimmed, for garnish

Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a trimmed infused watermelon rind. Makes 1 cocktail.

Directions for infusing watermelon rind: Take 1.25 pounds watermelon rinds (cut into 2-inch squares) and stuff into a quart jar. Add vodka to the rim, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Spicy Seedless Martini

Recipe by Aaron Polsky of Harvard and Stone

Ingredients
2 oz. watermelon rind-infused vodka
1 oz. dry vermouth
2 dashes TABASCO® Sauce
1 infused watermelon rind, trimmed, for garnish

Directions: Fill a pint glass with ice. Combine ingredients and stir well until chilled. Strain into a martini glass.

Silver Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients
1.5 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
.5 oz. Elderflower Liqueur
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
.5 cup Fresh Watermelon
4 Basil Leaves

Directions: Muddle basil and watermelon in the bottom of a shaker. Add ice and all other ingredients to the shaker. Shake and strain into a goblet. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Silver Watermelon Sparkler

Ingredients
750 ml. NOLET’S Silver Gin
750 ml. Sparkling Sake
24 oz. Watermelon Juice & Fresh Watermelon Cubes
375 ml. Fresh Lemon Juice
375 ml. Agave Nectar

Directions: Stir all contents well in a punchbowl. Make sure agave liquefies properly with the other ingredients. Add watermelon cubes and a block of ice five minutes before serving.

Whistlin’ Watermelon

Ingredients
2 oz. Dixie Southern Vodka
5 cups cut up watermelon—remove seeds
2 cups ice
3 oz. margarita mix

Directions: Put all in blender, serve in glass with salted rim.