Treat yourself to a the BEST Watermelon Mojito … this refreshing fresh watermelon cocktail is the perfect summer drink!
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I don’t know about you, but I LOVE watermelon … there’s nothing better than a juicy slice on a hot summer day.
There’s just one problem with this wonderful fruit. Watermelons are huge! Sometimes eating the whole thing is a challenge, especially for a small household like mine. So when I commit to buying one, I have to have a game plan!
There are many ways to use a watermelon, but it’s hard to beat this Watermelon Mojito! It has all the flavor of the classic cocktail with a sweet, fruity twist.
This gorgeous drink is the ultimate summer cocktail. Best of all, this fresh watermelon cocktail couldn’t be easier to make (you only need a few minutes), and the payoff is super delish!
Ingredients
This fresh Watermelon Mojito recipe takes basic ingredients, and turns them into something special. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh Watermelon
- Fresh Lime
- Sugar
- Club Soda
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- White Rum
You’ll start with the classic mojito ingredients—lime juice, sugar, club soda, mint, and rum—then add a chunks of fresh watermelon for that fruity twist. Yum!
It’s important to use high quality ingredients here. Avoid bottled lime juice, and choose the sweetest watermelon you can find, and you’ll really notice a difference in the finished drink.
If you already have it on hand, you could substitute homemade watermelon juice for the fresh fruit. I’d use 1/2 cup juice and add it along with the rum. For best results, I wouldn’t recommend substituting store bought juice.
How to Pick a Watermelon
Choosing a watermelon can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are three simple tips to help you choose the best one:
- Pick it up. It should feel heavy for its size.
- Look for a yellow spot. This is where the watermelon rested on the ground, and a creamy, yellow spot (versus a pale, white one) indicates that it was allowed to fully ripen before picking.
- Give it a thump. The surface should be firm, and a juicy watermelon should have a deep hollow sound.
What rum is best for a Mojito?
Bacardí Carta Blanca (Superior) is a classic choice for a mojito. It’s very easy to find, and it’s affordable. Any white rum will work though, so feel free to substitute your favorite rum. You should avoid dark, spiced, and flavored rums for this drink.
You’ll Also Need
To make this Watermelon Mint Mojito, you’ll want to gather a muddler, jigger, and bar spoon. If you don’t have any of these items, I’d recommend purchasing a cocktail making kit, which should have everything you need for this drink (and any future cocktails). You’ll also need a Collins glass (or large highball), plus plenty of ice, to serve the finished drink.
How to Make a Watermelon Mojito
This drink is simple and quick to make, so let’s get started.
Begin by cutting your lime into eight wedges. You’ll only use four of the wedges for this cocktail, so you’ll have enough for another drink later … or for a friend if you want to share!
Squeeze four lime wedges into a Collins glass (or large highball), then drop the wedges into the glass. Add three level bar spoons of sugar, one ounce club soda, and 1/2 cup diced watermelon.
Grab your muddler, then press and twist the ingredients together a few times. Watermelon breaks apart easily, and you’re simply trying to extract more juice and combine everything a bit, so don’t go overboard. There should still be small pieces of fruit when you’re done (see below).
Tip: make sure to cut the watermelon into small pieces (see picture below for reference) before measuring. If you use large chunks, you’ll end up using less melon, and it will take longer to muddle.
Next, you’re going to add the mint, and I have a cool hack for doing it!
Most Mojito recipes require you to muddle the mint along with the other ingredients. If you’re not careful though, this can leave your drink tasting bitter. Plus, all those little mint pieces have to go somewhere, and they’ll probably end up in your teeth. Not pretty.
On one of my recent trips to Puerto Rico, I took a mixology class at Casa Bacardí. Not only was it super fun, but they also showed us a clever trick for adding mint to mojitos.
Simply stack the leaves in your hand, then smack the leaves with your other hand about five to six times … or until they’re fragrant. Doing this brings out all the flavor of the mint without pulverizing it or making it taste bitter.
When you smell that wonderful mint fragrance, rub the leaves over the rim of your glass. Then, drop them into your drink.
After you drop in the mint, you’ll add two ounces of rum. Then, fill the glass with ice, and top off the drink with club soda.
Take your bar spoon and mix the drink vigorously, combining all the ingredients well.
And that’s really all there is to it! Wasn’t that simple?
With a drink this beautiful, you don’t really need a garnish. I couldn’t resist though.
To create this pretty garnish, add a thin slice of lime and a sprig of mint to your glass. A mini watermelon wedge is the perfect finishing touch … cut a small slit on one end so it fits on the rim.
And with that, your Watermelon Mojito looks just as gorgeous as it tastes. Cheers to that!
Tip: want to make this drink extra special? Serve it in a Watermelon Punch Bowl. This would be such a fun party idea!
More Mojito Recipes
Now that you know mastered this refreshing watermelon rum drink, check out these other delicious flavors:
Looking for more rum cocktail ideas? Then, you’ll want to try my Cuba Libre and Rum Old Fashioned recipes, as well! You can also find more watermelon recipes here.
Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients
- 1 medium lime, cut into 8 wedges
- sugar
- club soda
- 1/2 cup diced watermelon
- 12 mint leaves
- 2 ounces Bacardí Carta Blanca (Superior) Rum, or other white rum
Equipment
Instructions
- Squeeze 4 lime wedges into a Collins glass (or large highball), then drop into glass. Add 3 level bar spoons sugar, 1 ounce club soda, and watermelon.
- Use muddler to press and twist the ingredients together a few times. (Do not pulverize ingredients ... there should still be some small chunks.)
- Stack mint leaves in the palm of your hand. Smack leaves with your other hand, 5 to 6 times, or until fragrant.
- Rub mint over glass rim, then drop into drink.
- Add rum to drink, then fill glass with ice. Top off drink with club soda.
- Mix drink well, using bar spoon.
- Serve immediately, garnished with a sprig of mint, lime slice, and watermelon wedge, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
