Celebrate summer with this delicious Watermelon Punch! This refreshing drink is fun, festive, and super delicious. And best of all, it's easy to make ... perfect for all your summer parties!
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Ginnie's Take
Last week, I was lucky enough to tag along on my husband's business trip to Puerto Rico. It was so fun and relaxing (at least for me, ha), and the steamy weather and colorful sights definitely put me in a tropical mood. I've been trying to hold onto those tropical vibes ever since we returned home (Texas weather definitely helps). So when I spotted some mini watermelons at my grocery store, I knew I had to make this refreshing Watermelon Punch! This fun drink is super simple to make and so delicious.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fun + Delicious - With their tropical good looks, these adorable Mini Watermelon Punch Bowls are so cute and fun, and the simple punch is tasty and refreshing.
- Great for Parties - This simple Punch recipe is perfect for summer parties, and it can be made with (or without) alcohol, so everyone can enjoy it. Watermelon just screams summer, and you'll definitely get your guests talking with these show-stopping, creative punch bowls!
- Easy to Make - Best of all, it's so simple to make! The punch hardly even requires a recipe—it's just two ingredients—yet it tastes so summery and refreshing!
Jump to:
Ingredients
You can find the ingredients for this yummy watermelon drink at any grocery store! Here's what you'll need:
- Watermelons - You'll need mini watermelons for this recipe, and one watermelon will make two bowls. Make sure to refrigerate the melons ahead of time to ensure your drinks stay cold. If you're serving a crowd and want to keep things easy, you could also serve the punch in a regular-size watermelon.
- Lemonade or Soda - You can use homemade lemonade or store bought for this recipe. Lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite) also works great.
- Watermelon Juice - It's optional, but for more melon flavor you can mix the lemonade homemade Watermelon Juice. Make it using some of the fruit you scoop out of the watermelons.
- Vodka or Tequila (Optional) - This punch can be made non alcoholic or spiked, the choice is yours. The nice thing about this recipe is that it's flexible enough to serve everyone from kids to adults!
- Lemon - You'll use a fresh lemon to garnish the finished drinks.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a sharp knife and a melon baller (or a spoon) to prepare the melons. If you'd like to garnish the drinks like I did, you'll also need Drink Picks, Tropical Drink Umbrellas, and straws (these paper straws would be perfect).
How to Make Watermelon Punch
This recipe is so fun and easy to prepare (and serve)! You'll find a detailed recipe below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prepare the punch bowls. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a mini watermelon in half. If it won't sit flat, slice a little piece off the bottom. Then, remove as much of the fruit as possible using a melon baller (a round teaspoon works, too). Once you've removed most of the flesh, use a spoon to scrape out the rest. Be careful not to puncture the shell.
- Make the punch. To make the Watermelon Punch, simply fill the watermelon shells with lemonade (I used Minute Maid) or Sprite, leaving a little room at the top. If you wish, you can also add a splash of fresh Watermelon Juice for extra flavor and / or a shot of vodka or tequila.
- Add watermelon balls. After you fill the bowls with lemonade / Sprite, float a few watermelon balls in the punch.
- Garnish the drinks. Cut the lemon into thick slices, then cut the slices in half. Thread a drink pick with a watermelon ball, a slice of lemon, and then another watermelon ball. Gently press the pick and a paper umbrella into the side of the watermelon (be careful not to puncture the shell completely) to hold them in place. Add a straw and serve.
And that's all there is to it ... your Watermelon Punch is ready to serve! Aren't the mini watermelon bowls adorable? I really can't get over how cute they are!
This easy recipe is the ultimate summer party drink. It really doesn't get more fun or festive. So what are you waiting for? Invite your friends over and let the summer celebrations begin!
Tips + Variations
Here are a few tips to make this punch even more delicious, plus some easy variations you can try, too:
- Choosing the Perfect Melons - When shopping for watermelons, look for small, round ones with minimal blemishes. That way your individual punch bowls will be attractive and easy to hold.
- Serving a Crowd - To serve a crowd, simply make this recipe in a large watermelon. If you'd prefer to use mini melons, prep the melon shells ahead of time, then cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Making Frozen Watermelon Cubes - To keep the drinks extra cool, prep the watermelon shells ahead of time. Chill the shells, then freeze the watermelon balls on a foil-lined baking sheet. The frozen balls with keep your drinks cold when it's time to serve your watermelon punch.
- Varying the Punch - I kept the punch super simple here, but you can get creative. Try adding a small scoop of Watermelon Sorbet, or fill it with this delicious Watermelon Lemonade.
Related Recipes
Looking for more watermelon ideas? Then you'll love these recipes, too:
- Learn how to cute a watermelon into cubes, sticks, balls and more with my easy tips!
- Cool off with a delicious glass of Watermelon Juice.
- Looking for cocktail ideas? You'll love these Watermelon Mojitos and Watermelon Margaritas!
- Serve this Watermelon Quinoa Salad or this Watermelon Gazpacho for a light summer lunch or dinner.
- This yummy Watermelon Feta Salad makes a great side dish for any summer meal!
- Pair this Watermelon Salsa with chips for a refreshing summer snack.
- Cool off on a hot day with these Watermelon Popsicles!
If it's drinks you're searching for, try one of these summery recipes next: Strawberry Lemonade, Cherry Smash Cocktail, Beergaritas, Cuba Libre, Cheladas, and Lemonade Shandy.
Watermelon Punch
Ingredients
- 1 mini watermelon (refrigerated)
- lemonade (or Sprite)*
- watermelon juice, optional
- vodka or tequila, optional
- 1 lemon, cut into half moons
Instructions
- Cut watermelon in half, then use a melon baller or round teaspoon to scoop out flesh in round balls.
- Reserve the balls, then use a spoon to scrape out any remaining watermelon flesh.
- Fill mini watermelons with lemonade (or Sprite), as well as watermelon juice (about ⅓ cup each) and vodka (1 ½ to 2 ounces), if using. Add a few melon balls to punch.
- Thread a lemon slice and more melon balls on a cocktail pick, then use to garnish punch along with a drink umbrella, if desired.
- Serve punch immediately.
Notes
What an adorable idea for a nonalcoholic cocktail. I'm going to look for mini watermelons at Kroger.