An easy Watermelon Margarita recipe made with tequila and a splash of Prosecco for a fizzy twist. This is the perfect margarita and a refreshing cocktail for summer and any festive occasion, especially on a hot day!
Hey there, Family! We’ve teamed up with our friend Chef Kate Ramos, cookbook author and blogger at ¡Hola! Jalapeño to bring you an easy summer cocktail recipe just in time for summer: Watermelon Prosecco Margaritas 🍉🍹 It’s a perfect recipe for a hot summer day and the best watermelon margarita ever!
Unlike Marrekus, I grew up on the west coast, so Cinco de Mayo was one of my favorite holidays to hang out with friends enjoy some fantastic food and margaritas. I’m a sucker for enchiladas and tacos.
Now that I’m a cheer mom, though, I’m usually in Orlando at a cheer competition during the first week of May. But, I still like to enjoy a cocktail or two to kick off the celebration. It’s refreshing, vibrant, and easy to make. Plus, who doesn’t love a good margarita?
This isn’t your average margarita, folks. It’s got a Southern twist (of course), using fresh watermelon juice for that beautiful pink color and natural sweetness. I also added a splash of Prosecco for some bubbly. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it all summer long, so, grab your glasses, a bottle of tequila, some Prosecco, and limes!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients
- Watermelon juice: One small ripe watermelon equals about 3-4 cups juice. Just cut watermelon chunks, blend, and strain.
- Lime juice: My favorite bottled lime juice is Santa Cruz Organic 100% Pure Lime Juice (not sponsored). You can also use fresh lime juice.
- Coarse sea salt: For the rim of your glass. If you don’t like a salted rim, use sugar instead. They also sell margarita salt at most grocery stores.
- Ice: To keep it cold.
- Silver (blanco) tequila: Pick your favorite brand of white tequila, make sure it’s high quality. You can also use reposado tequila, but it will have a different flavor profile.
- Agave syrup (agave nectar): Used as a sweetener to complement the tartness of the lime juice and the sharpness of the tequila. It’s also made from the agave plant, which is also used to produce tequila so it’s perfect for margs. Simple syrup is a great substitute if you’d rather use that.
- Prosecco: For topping your drink off. Substitute with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Lime wedges: For garnish.
Can I use store-bought watermelon juice?
Of course! Make sure it is 100% pure watermelon juice without added sugar or preservatives for the best watermelon flavor. Alternatively, you can go with a watermelon juice drink like Simply.
How do I make watermelon juice from fresh watermelon?
Blend fresh cubed watermelon in a high-speed blender until smooth, then strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp.
How to Make a Fresh Watermelon Margarita on the Rocks
- Rim the Glasses: Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of the glass for each of the 4 margarita glasses. Dip the rims into coarse salt or sugar, depending on your preference.
- Prepare the Glasses: Fill each glass with ice.
- Pour Watermelon Juice: Pour 3/4 cup watermelon juice into each glass.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in 1 ounce of lime juice, 1 ounce of silver tequila, and 1 ounce of agave syrup into each glass. For a sweeter drink, add more agave syrup to taste.
- Add Prosecco: Top off each glass with chilled Prosecco, gently stirring to combine.
- Garnish: Garnish each margarita with fresh lime wedges.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
How to Make a Frozen Watermelon Margarita
We get lots of requests for a frozen version of this watermelon margarita recipe that has a slushy, icy texture. It’s a perfect refreshing drink! Here you go:
- Blend the Frozen Margaritas: In a blender, combine the frozen watermelon juice cubes, 1/2 cup lime juice, 4 ounces silver tequila, and 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of agave syrup. Add a handful of ice to ensure the drink is thick and slushy. Blend until smooth and frosty.
- Serve: Pour the frozen margarita mixture into the prepared glasses.
- Add Prosecco: Top off each prepared glass with chilled Prosecco, gently stirring to combine. Serve with a fresh lime wedge.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Ensure the Prosecco is well-chilled before adding it to the margaritas for the best taste and effervescence.
- If using fresh watermelon for the juice, ensure it’s ripe and sweet for the best flavor. A ripe watermelon will have a deep green rind and a hollow sound when tapped.
- Use a good-quality silver (blanco) tequila for a smoother taste. Quality tequila enhances the overall flavor of the margarita.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the watermelon juice, lime juice, and agave syrup ahead of time. However, mix the ingredients and add the Prosecco just before serving to maintain freshness and carbonation.
Also, the longer it sits, fresh watermelon juice can separate. Basically the pulp and liquid parts separate into layers. This it totally normal. So, if preparing ahead of time, Before stir or shake juice with a cocktail shaker to recombine the layers. If you have already poured it into glasses, a quick stir with a spoon will mix it up again.
Can I make this recipe non-alcoholic?
Sure, you can make a non-alcoholic version by leaving out the tequila and Prosecco, and using sparkling water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Summary
Teaming up with ¡Hola! Jalapeño was a lot of fun because we don’t get to do collabs often.
Watermelon Prosecco Margaritas
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups watermelon juice
- 1/2 cup Santa Cruz Organic 100% Pure Lime Juice
- Coarse salt or sugar for rim
- Ice
- 4 ounces silver tequila
- Agave syrup
- Prosecco chilled
- 1 lime sliced into wedges
Instructions
- Moisten rims of 4 margarita glasses with a lime wedge. Dip rims into coarse salt or sugar. Fill each glass with ice.
- Pour 3/4 cup watermelon juice into each glass.
- Stir in 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce silver tequila, and 1 ounce agave syrup into each glass.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less agave syrup to taste.
- Top off each glass with chilled Prosecco. Gently stir to combine.
- Garnish each margarita with a lime wedge. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Wow, you guys these look incredible!! Thanks so much for participating in Margarita Week!!
Thank you, we had so much fun! Can’t wait to do it again next year 🙂
This is one of my favorite drink recipes! I love the fresh watermelon juice. I haven’t tried it frozen yet but we make this recipe all the time!