This watermelon punch cocktail is perfect for a summer cookout! Made with simple ingredients and tequila, it’s sure to cool you down!
If you love watermelon, you’ll want to try my watermelon piña colada, easy watermelon frosé, and watermelon popsicles with tequila!
Watermelon Punch
Watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit. As soon as watermelons hit the stores, I snag a few! Not only are they beneficial to your health, but there are also so many amazing recipes you can make with watermelon, sweet or savory!
This cocktail is an easy, sweet watermelon cocktail punch that everyone will love. It’s perfect for a summer gathering and BBQ!
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Punch
Refreshingly Simple: When summer heat hits its peak, this watermelon punch is my go-to refreshment that takes just minutes to prepare with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor!
Party Perfect: Every time I serve this at backyard BBQs or pool parties, guests can’t stop raving about it – the vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor make it an instant crowd-pleaser!
Customizable Kick: What I love most about this punch is how easily you can adjust the tequila level to make it stronger for an adults-only gathering or alcohol-free for a family-friendly version. This is also an excellent base for a signature summer cocktail!
Watermelon Punch Ingredients
Watermelon Juice – We use fresh watermelon juice made from a ripe, seedless watermelon. Making it yourself ensures the freshest flavor and beautiful color that store-bought just can’t match.
Fresh Lemon and Lime Juice – These citrus juices add the perfect tangy balance to the sweet watermelon. Always use freshly squeezed for the brightest flavor – it makes a huge difference in the final taste!
Simple Syrup – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to complement the natural sweetness of the watermelon. It’s super easy to make at home by combining equal parts sugar and water.
Tequila – Use a good quality silver tequila that won’t overpower the watermelon flavor.
Cointreau – This orange liqueur adds a subtle citrus flavor that ties all the flavors together beautifully. It’s worth investing in a bottle as it can be used in many other cocktails like my hibiscus margarita, fig sidecar, and my cosmopolitan.
Ice and Watermelon Slices – Essential for serving! The ice keeps everything perfectly chilled, while watermelon slices make an edible garnish that hints at what’s in the glass.
How to Make Watermelon Punch
Prepare the watermelon juice: Blend fresh watermelon chunks and strain through a cheesecloth to get silky smooth juice – this is the key to a perfect punch! Check out our guide to making Homemade Watermelon Juice.
Make simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool completely before using.
Mix your punch: Pour the watermelon juice into a large punch bowl, then add fresh lemon juice, lime juice, cooled simple syrup, tequila, and Cointreau. Stir gently to combine all the flavors.
Garnish and serve: Just before guests arrive, add plenty of ice and float fresh watermelon slices on top for a beautiful presentation. Serve with a ladle and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Make it Bubbly: Add a splash of sparkling water or prosecco just before serving for a fizzy twist that makes this punch even more refreshing on hot summer days.
Switch the Spirit: While tequila is my favorite with watermelon, you can easily substitute white rum or vodka. Each spirit brings its own unique character to the punch!
Non-Alcoholic Version: Skip the spirits entirely and add a bit more citrus juice and a splash of ginger ale for a family-friendly version that’s just as delicious. Perfect for gatherings with kids or guests who don’t drink alcohol.
Eden’s Tips
Chill Everything: Make sure all your ingredients, especially the watermelon juice, are thoroughly chilled before mixing. Room temperature punch warms up quickly outdoors!
Watermelon Selection: For the sweetest flavor, choose a ripe watermelon with a deep yellow (not white) spot where it rested on the ground while growing.
Strain Thoroughly: Take your time with the straining process – a smooth juice makes all the difference between an okay punch and a fantastic one.
How to Pick Out the Perfect Watermelon
We go through many watermelons in our house, and I’ve gotten good at choosing a watermelon! Here are my best tips for picking the perfect watermelon:
- A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow resting spot on it. This is called the field spot, and is the place where it rests on the ground. You want a watermelon with a yellow spot (not white) this means it is ripe.
- The watermelon should sound hollow.
- A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size.
How to Make Watermelon Juice
Prepare the watermelon: Slice a whole, seedless watermelon and remove the rind completely.
Blend until smooth: Add the watermelon chunks into a powerful blender and puree until completely liquid.
Strain for smoothness: Place a cheesecloth in a strainer over a bowl, then pour the blended watermelon through to remove pulp and thickness.
Store properly: Keep your fresh watermelon juice refrigerated for up to three days.
Check out our guide to learn more about making Homemade Watermelon Juice.
More Uses for Watermelon Juice
Watermelon is a very versatile fruit. It can be used in savory or sweet dishes. If you have leftover watermelon juice, try these awesome ideas:
Make frozen treats: Try watermelon ice cubes for drinks, watermelon popsicles (our watermelon tequila pops are a hit!), or even refreshing watermelon ice cream floats.
Create other beverages: Watermelon juice makes amazing watermelon lemonade, or try it with a splash of vodka and club soda for a quick cocktail.
Health Benefits of Watermelon
Watermelon is a healthy fruit. It’s high in water content but still delivers
- Keeps you hydrated, which is always good when drinking alcohol.
- Contains antioxidants and vitamin C
- Lower inflammation
- Great for skin and hair!
More Watermelon Recipes
If you like watermelon as much as we do, try some of these fun watermelon recipes!
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Watermelon Piña Colada
- Tequila Popsicles
- Cold Pressed Watermelon Floats
- Watermelon Popsicles
- Hydrating Cucumber Cooler
- Watermelon Sherbet Bombe Cake
- Honeydew & Watermelon Sangria
- Easy Watermelon Frosé
You could even combine these ideas and have a whole watermelon-themed 4th of July party!
More Punch Recipes
Need more party punch ideas? Try these delicious punch recipes!
If you make this watermelon cocktail punch, let us know by leaving a comment and review below! Also, tag us on social @sugarandcharm! Cheers!
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Watermelon Punch
Ingredients
- 6 cups watermelon juice
- 3/4 cup lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1/4 cup lime juice fresh squeezed
- 6 1/2 ounces simple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 1/8 cup Cointreau
Instructions
- To make watermelon juice, cut a whole watermelon into chunks with the rind removed.
- Add the watermelon chunks into a blender and blend until liquid.
- Drape a cheesecloth over a strainer with a bowl below and pour the watermelon juice onto the cheesecloth. The bowl below will catch just the juice, leaving any thickness behind to throw away.
- Add all of the ingredients in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Add ice when ready to serve and garnish with watermelon slices.
Fantastic, easy recipe! I made it for movie night with friends and my fiancé begged me to make again the very next day. So, so good!
This looks so delicious, can’t wait to make it!
Where did you get the pitcher?
If you freeze this will it lose the flavor? are there any adjustments you would suggest for this? looking to put these in capri sun pouches and freeze.
This won’t freeze fully since the alcohol ration would be too much. It might become a slushy texture. With frozen drinks in general like our frozen gin and tonic we do add more sugar to it so you can taste the flavors better.
Thank you slushy is totally fine! Will reference the other frozen drinks for sugar content.
What could be substituted for Contreau?
You can try orange juice, but it won’t have the intensity. Should still be good though!