A refreshing watermelon mojito recipe is the perfect way to cool off this summer! Made with fresh watermelon juice and simple syrup, it’s muddled with fresh mint for an incredible and easy summer cocktail.
If you love a classic mojito, you’re going to love this summertime spin on the traditional favorite. Don’t skip this fun, refreshing cocktail!
A mojito is one of my absolute favorite cocktails. It’s the quintessential summer drink. I was instantly hooked on mojitos after my first trip to Mexico. Since then, I realized that not all mojitos are created equal.
Watermelon mojitos are best made fresh, without a mix. Like all good things, a watermelon mojito requires just a few simple ingredients, yielding the most amazing summer flavor.
Why You’ll Love this Cocktail
The combination of watermelon juice and rum is irresistible for summer! It’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, barbecues, poolside or a day on the water.
This recipe shows you how to make a traditional version as well as a skinny option, a frozen one, a mocktail and even a pitcher!
Ingredients
- Pureed Watermelon – Or watermelon juice. Fresh juice is amazing here, but you can use bottled watermelon juice for a shortcut!
- Sparkling Water – Club soda works as well!
- Fresh Mint Leaves – This is perhaps the most important part of a mojito!
- Simple Syrup – Any kind of simple syrup will do, you can use a store bought bottle or make your own with our recipe.
- Rum – Choose a silver or blanco rum here, as there’s no need for a high end rum! Read our guide to the Best Rum for Mojitos.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is optional here, but so delicious!
Variations
Watermelon Mojito Mocktail
To make a mojito mocktail, substitute rum with white grape juice, pineapple juice, apple juice or apple cider. Follow the recipe from there.
You can also simply omit the rum and add more club soda or sparkling water and simple syrup to taste.
Make it Frozen
Just add ice to the watermelon puree in your food processor. Blend with rum and simple sugar and pour over mint.
Make a Pitcher (Serves 8)
- 4 cups seedless watermelon
- Mint
- Ice
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 ½ cups white rum
- 4 cups club soda or sparkling water
Make it Skinny
To lighten this cocktail up, simply eliminate club soda and simple syrup and use Sprite Zero instead!
Test Kitchen Tips
- Mojitos are best with white rum. Try Captain Morgan White Rum, Flora de Cana or Bacardi Silver.
- A muddler is inexpensive and great for making mojitos, guacamole and more! However, you can use any kitchen tool to mash the mint and release the flavor. The back of a wooden spoon makes a great alternative.
- You can make these ahead, too! Watermelon purée can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated for up to two days and simple syrup can be refrigerated for months!
- If you really want to mix it up, serve it with lime sorbet for a Mojito Float! Boozy floats are always a hit in summer!
Set up a Mojito Bar
Drinks
Mojito Bar
Creating a DIY mojito bar is the easiest way to relieve the burden of manning the bar at a party. Instead of endlessly creating craft cocktails all night, you’ll do the work ahead of time and leave the bartending to each guest so they can create a drink they’ll love! Read More
10 mins
Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients
- 2 chunks seedless watermelon (enough for ½ cup of puree)
- 1 mint sprig (4-5 leaves for muddling, reserving the top of stem for garnish)
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounces white rum
- ½ cup club soda or sparkling water
- ice crushed or cubed
- 1 lime wedge optional for a squeeze of fresh lime juice
Instructions
- In a food processor, puree watermelon. Remove any seeds with fine mesh sieve. Set aside.2 chunks seedless watermelon
- Muddle watermelon and lower leaves from sprig of mint {reserving others to garnish}.1 mint sprig
- Add crushed ice to glass.ice
- Add simple syrup, rum and club soda. Optional – top with a squeeze of a lime wedge!1 ounce simple syrup, 1½ ounces white rum, ½ cup club soda, 1 lime wedge
Julie’s Tips
- Mojitos are best with white rum. Try Captain Morgan White Rum, Flora de Cana or Bacardi Silver.
- A muddler is great, but the back of a wooden spoon makes a great alternative.
- You can make these ahead, too! Watermelon purée can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated for up to two days and simple syrup can be refrigerated for weeks.
- Make it Skinny – To lighten this cocktail up, simply eliminate club soda and simple syrup and use Sprite Zero instead!
- For a mocktail, substitute rum with white grape juice, pineapple juice, apple juice or apple cider.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute sugar for simple syrup.
- Substitute sparkling water for club soda.
For a Pitcher (Serves 8)
- 4 cups of seedless watermelon (for puree or juice)
- Mint
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1 ½ cups white rum
- 4 cups club soda or sparkling water
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Oh, my! I adore watermelon and these margaritas are as beautiful as delicious!!
These are the best! One of my favorites.
LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR BLOG and how simple you are. I love your simple recipes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just like your simple home. Thanks for the inspiration!
Please give a more exacting size of watermelon. “Chunk” is somewhat confusing.
2 square chunks from a standard slice. Enjoy!
I’ve always wanted to try this at home. The mint sprig is a darling touch!
Can this be made without any added sugar or simple syrup? Or is there a healthier alternative?
Sure! You can also use agave or a touch of sprite zero to make it “skinny”