Watermelon Pitcher Margaritas

Showstopper pitcher drinks for your Labor Day party

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When it comes to cocktails, the situation determines the drink. When you’re having a fancy steak dinner, that’s a martini type meal.

But when the weather hits triple digits and I’m floating in the pool on a raft, then it’s time for something juicier and far more thirst-quenching. Enter the watermelon margarita.

How to cut a watermelon

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For the most part, this is a classic margarita with a shot of tequila and lots of fresh watermelon. The resulting cocktail is fruitier than the original and its strength will creep up on you, but in this case I call that a good thing.

Want to know which is the best tequila to buy? Check out our tequila guide!

This is also a margarita you should eat with salt, even if you don’t usually mind. It adds a necessary balance to all the sweetness.

More summery cocktails!

Classic margarita
Blueberry Pitcher Margaritas
Frozen Strawberry Daiquri
Mixed berry sangria
Mojito with mint and lime

preparation time
15 minutes

total time
15 minutes

portions
5
up to 6 servings

Buy tequila aged for two months and labeled 100% de Agave. Tequilas not marked with it are usually cut with fermented cane juice, resulting in a lower quality tequila. (See our Tequila Guide for more information.)

VARIANTS:

Swap tequila for mezcal, tequila’s smokier, wilder cousin.
For a frosty, thicker treat, freeze the watermelon before throwing it in the blender and skip the strainer.

1 1/2 cups White tequila (also called Plato or Silver Tequila)
1/2 Cup Orange liqueurlike Triple Sec or Cointreau
1/2 Cup lime juice
4 cups chopped Seedless watermelon
simple syrup agave nectarsweeten if necessary
Kosher or other high quality Saltfor garnish
lime wedges, for garnish

Mix the ingredients:

In a blender, combine tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and seedless watermelon and mix well. (You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your blender.)

Note: If you happen to have a juicer, just juice the watermelon and stir it in a pitcher with the other ingredients.
Strain the watermelon solids:

Pour the ingredients through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, squeezing the solids to get out as much of the liquid as possible.
Prepare glasses:

Assuming you’re drinking with flair, grab a small plate or bowl and fill it with the salt. Next, rub the rim of a cocktail or coupe glass (or a jar) with a lime wedge. Dip the jar in the salt and turn it once or twice.
Serve and garnish:

Pour the cocktail into the prepared glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.