The Best Ina Garten Watermelon Cosmopolitans Recipe for Summer

Watermelon cocktails blend summer’s most vibrant flavors into liquid celebration.

These refreshing drinks capture sunshine and festivity in a single glass.

Sweet, tangy watermelon transforms ordinary martinis into extraordinary experiences that dance across your palate.

Sophisticated yet playful, such cocktails invite relaxation and spontaneous gatherings with friends.

Mixologists love experimenting with this juicy fruit’s natural sweetness and subtle complexity.

Crisp ingredients mingle to create a beverage that feels both elegant and carefree.

Sip and savor this delightful concoction that promises pure liquid joy:

Why Watermelon Cosmopolitans Taste Like Summer

• Unleash Refreshing Summer Vibes: This watermelon cosmopolitan bursts with cool, vibrant flavors that instantly transport you to a breezy beach party, making every sip feel like a mini summer vacation.
• Craft Cocktail Simplicity: The recipe offers an elegant drink that looks impressive but requires minimal effort, perfect for home bartenders who want to create professional-quality cocktails without complicated techniques.
• Transform Fresh Watermelon Magic: By using a food mill to extract pure watermelon juice, the drink captures the fruit's natural sweetness and creates a stunning pink color that's visually irresistible and incredibly fresh.
• Chill Factor Perfection: Freezing the martini glasses beforehand ensures an extra-cold drink that stays crisp and refreshing from the first sip to the last, elevating the entire drinking experience with a professional touch.

What You’ll Need for Watermelon Cosmos

• Vodka: Smooth, clean spirit that forms the strong foundation of the cocktail.
• Cointreau: Classic orange liqueur that adds sweet and citrusy depth to the drink.

• Watermelon Juice: Fresh, sweet core ingredient with vibrant summer flavor, best from ripe, red watermelon.
• Lime Juice: Bright, tangy element that balances the sweetness and adds refreshing zest.

• Mint Sprig: Fresh herb that provides aromatic garnish and elegant visual appeal.
• Ice: Crucial for chilling and diluting the cocktail to perfect serving temperature.

Mixing Up a Round of Watermelon Cosmopolitans

Step 1: Chill Martini Glasses

Place four martini glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to create a frosty surface.

Step 2: Extract Watermelon Juice

• Dice ripe watermelon
• Press through food mill
• Collect approximately 2 cups of juice
• Remove seeds and pulp

Step 3: Create Cocktail Mixture

• Freshly extracted watermelon juice
• Vodka
• Cointreau
• Freshly squeezed lime juice

Step 4: Shake and Chill

• Pour entire cocktail mixture into shaker
• Shake vigorously for 30 seconds
• Ensure ingredients are well combined and chilled

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

• Fresh mint sprig for each glass
• Serve immediately while ice cold

Tip: Select ripe, sweet watermelon for the most flavorful cocktail experience.

Tips to Balance Sweetness and Tartness

• Chill Glasses Strategically: Stick the martini glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving to keep the cocktail frosty and refreshing from the first sip.
• Select Watermelon Wisely: Pick a watermelon that's deep red, heavy for its size, and has a sweet, fragrant aroma to guarantee maximum flavor in your cosmopolitan.
• Master the Shake Technique: Shake the cocktail vigorously with plenty of ice, using a rhythmic up-and-down motion for a full 30 seconds to properly chill and blend all ingredients.
• Strain Like a Pro: Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth when juicing the watermelon to eliminate seeds and pulp, ensuring a silky-smooth cocktail experience.
• Squeeze Fresh Citrus: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice right before mixing, as it provides a bright, zesty kick that bottled versions simply can't match.

Best Way to Store This Fruity Drink

• Freezer Method: Pour remaining cocktail into ice cube trays and freeze for future slushies or cocktail enhancers. These watermelon vodka cubes transform future drinks with intense flavor and prevent waste.
• Refrigeration Method: Store in a sealed glass pitcher with tight-fitting lid for maximum freshness. Glass containers preserve taste quality better than plastic and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Mason Jar Technique: Transfer liquid into clean mason jars with secure lids for compact storage. These versatile containers maintain drink integrity and create easy grab-and-go options for quick entertaining or personal enjoyment.

Flavor Options to Twist Up Your Cosmopolitan

• Summer Berry Fusion: Replace watermelon juice with a blend of strawberry and raspberry puree for a vibrant, berry-rich cocktail that bursts with fruity flavors.
• Spicy Watermelon Kick: Add a small amount of jalapeño-infused vodka or muddle a few fresh jalapeño slices to create a zesty, heat-packed cocktail with a spicy edge.
• Herbal Watermelon Refresher: Incorporate fresh basil or rosemary during muddling to introduce an aromatic herbal note that complements the watermelon's sweetness.
• Tropical Watermelon Escape: Mix in a splash of coconut rum and garnish with a pineapple wedge to transform the cocktail into a tropical paradise-inspired drink.

Quick Recap of Your New Favorite Cocktail

Watermelon Cosmopolitans blend summer’s essence with sophisticated cocktail artistry, creating liquid poetry from Ina Garten’s masterful recipe.

Classic mixology meets refreshing fruit through strategic ingredient harmony.

Professional bartenders would applaud this elegant libation’s balanced complexity.

Chilled glasses showcase ruby-red brilliance against crystalline surfaces, promising sensational sipping experiences.

Garden-fresh mint sprigs add sophisticated botanical whispers to each carefully crafted cocktail.

Passionate mixology enthusiasts: spread cocktail magic, share your spirited discoveries, and spark conversation around this delightful summer signature drink.

Ina Garten Watermelon Cosmopolitans Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s watermelon cosmopolitans blend refreshing summer flavors with sophisticated cocktail elegance. Crisp vodka and sweet watermelon juice create a perfect cocktail companion for warm evening gatherings where you can sip and savor this delightful pink drink.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (600g) red watermelon, diced
• 6 ounces (180 ml) vodka, such as Grey Goose

Liqueur and Citrus:

• 3 ounces (90 ml) Cointreau or triple sec
• 2 ounces (60 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)

Garnish:

• 4 large mint sprigs

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Instructions

1. Refrigerate four martini glasses for a minimum of 30 minutes to achieve a perfect frosty exterior, ensuring an ultra-chilled drinking experience.
2. Process ripe watermelon chunks through a food mill with a large disk, extracting approximately of pure juice. Carefully remove and discard any seeds and fibrous pulp.
3. Transfer the freshly extracted watermelon juice into a spacious pitcher, combining it with premium vodka, Cointreau (or triple sec), and freshly squeezed lime juice. Gently stir the ingredients to create a harmonious blend.
4. Load a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes, then pour the prepared watermelon cocktail mixture into the container. Vigorously shake the contents for 30 seconds to thoroughly chill and integrate the flavors.
5. Retrieve the pre-chilled martini glasses from the freezer and elegantly strain the shaken cocktail into each glass, dividing the liquid evenly.
6. Enhance the presentation by delicately placing a vibrant mint sprig atop each martini, creating a visually appealing and aromatic garnish. Serve immediately while the drink remains ice-cold and refreshing.

Notes

• Chill those martini glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to keep your watermelon cocktail refreshingly cool from the first sip to the last.
• Squeeze fresh lime juice right before mixing to guarantee a zesty, vibrant kick that bottled versions simply can’t match.
• Select ripe, juicy watermelon with deep red color and no mushy spots to extract the most incredible, sweet flavor for your drink.
• Strain watermelon juice through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate seeds and pulp, ensuring a silky-smooth cocktail experience.
• Shake the mixture vigorously for a full 30 seconds to perfectly blend ingredients, chill the liquid, and create a harmonious, well-mixed drink.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 5mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg