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This Spicy Watermelon Margarita is the perfect summertime sipper made with smoky smooth mezcal, fresh watermelon chunks, lime juice, sliced jalapeños, and bubbly seltzer. Fix yourself this refreshing cocktail for a poolside hang or make a batch for an outdoor get-together with family and friends!
This recipe was written on July 3, 2015. It was updated with additional recipe information on April 21, 2024.
Quench your thirst and spice up your summer with this light and refreshing watermelon mezcal margarita! This fun cocktail is bursting with vibrant flavors and a festive spicy kick, and you just need six simple ingredients to make it! Juicy watermelon chunks are blended until smooth, combined with zesty lime juice and sparkling seltzer water, and topped off with smoky mezcal. Sliced jalapeños add a fiery essence that balances the sweet fresh fruit and the robust liquor.
The result is a harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, and spiced watermelon mezcal flavors – the ultimate vibrant libation for any occasion! Fix yourself a smoky watermelon margarita to enjoy while lounging poolside. Or, whip one up any time you need a getaway and you’ll be instantly transported to a fruity paradise. This recipe is also a great cocktail to serve if you’re hosting a backyard fiesta!
For more fun cocktail recipes, try my pomegranate margarita, strawberry rose bramble gin cocktail, or pineapple rose white wine sangria.
Ingredients
Watermelon: Fresh watermelon provides a juicy and naturally sweet base for this watermelon mezcal cocktail. Choose a ripe watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a deep, hollow sound when tapped.
Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the margarita. Choose firm ripe limes and roll them on a hard surface before juicing to extract the most juice!
Seltzer Water: Choose plain seltzer water to add effervescence and lightness to the spicy watermelon cocktail without adding extra calories or sugar.
Mezcal: This smoky spirit is distilled from agave plants and adds depth and character to this margarita. Look for a quality mezcal brand for the best cocktail experience.
Jalapeños: Thinly sliced jalapeño peppers put the ‘spicy’ in this spicy mezcal margarita. If you prefer things on the milder side, just omit the pepper from the drink.
Ice: This is an essential ingredient for chilling the mezcal margarita and keeps it refreshing. Alternatively, you can freeze watermelon chunks and use them as ice cubes for added flavor.
Lime Wheels: Garnish your mixed drink with a fresh lemon wheel or wedge to add visual appeal and a hint of citrus aroma to each sip.
How to Make a Spicy Watermelon Margarita
- Blend Watermelon. Add the watermelon chunks to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and liquified.
- Strain Watermelon Juice. Strain the watermelon juice through a sieve, cheesecloth, or nut bag. If desired, reserve the pulp and freeze it for watermelon ice cubes.
- Build Cocktail. Fill two glasses with ice. Divide the watermelon juice and fresh lime juice between the two glasses. Add jalapeño slices and seltzer water to each glass. Top the glasses with mezcal, then stir lightly to combine. Serve cold!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality mezcal. Choose a high-quality mezcal made from 100% agave, without added sugars or artificial flavors, for the smoothest, best-tasting margarita.
- Chill ingredients. Before making the cocktail, chill the prepared watermelon juice, lime juice, and seltzer water before combining in a chilled glass to ensure the cocktail is ice-cold and refreshing.
- Adjust to taste. Customize this recipe to suit your taste – add more spice by including more jalapeño slices, tartness by increasing the amount of lime juice, or sweetness by adding more watermelon juice.
- Muddle the jalapeños. Instead of adding jalapeño slices to each cocktail, you can muddle the jalapeño to extract a more concentrated flavor for a spicier margarita.
- Use watermelon ice cubes. Elevate the flavor of this watermelon spicy margarita by freezing the leftover watermelon pulp in an ice cube tray and using them instead of ice in each drink. They will enhance the flavor as they melt!
- Flavor the cocktail rim. To add some extra flair and flavor to this mezcal margarita recipe, run a lime wedge along the rim of the glass before serving. You can also make this a salted watermelon margarita by dipping the lime-rimmed glass in sea salt.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to make this smoky mezcal margarita to your preferences.
- Watermelon: Use frozen watermelon chunks instead of fresh for a slushy-like consistency served as a refreshing frozen treat.
- Sweeter: For a sweeter mezcal watermelon cocktail, add a splash of agave nectar to enhance the natural sweetness of the watermelon and balance the acidic lime juice.
- Mezcal: Swap the mezcal for tequila for a flavor variation that still offers a boozy buzz.
- Seltzer Water: Swap the seltzer for coconut water for a tropical twist and subtle sweetness.
- Mocktail: Replace the mezcal with additional seltzer water or a non-alcoholic tequila alternative for an alcohol-free version of this cocktail.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this refreshing cocktail as a stand-alone daytime or evening treat, or pair it with Mexican-inspired dishes like some of our favorite recipes below for a full-spread fiesta!
Storage Directions
Transfer leftover margarita mix to a pitcher or an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Store separately from the ice to avoid dilution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Removing the seeds is a matter of personal preference. You do not need to remove the seeds before blending the watermelon chunks because you will be straining the liquid, which will remove the pulp and any seed residue. However, you can remove the seeds if you prefer.
If you can’t find mezcal or prefer not to use it, swap it 1:1 with tequila. However, it is important to note that this will change the flavor profile of the watermelon jalapeño margarita. It won’t have the same smoky flavor, but it will still be tasty!
Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- ice
- juice of 1 lime, plus more to taste
- 4 thin slices of jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
- 1 cup plain seltzer water
- 1/2 cup mezcal
- lime wheels or wedges, to garnish
Instructions
- Add the watermelon to a blender or food processor. Blend until liquified.
- Strain the watermelon juice through a sieve, cheesecloth, or nut bag. If desired, reserve the pulp and freeze it for watermelon ice cubes.
- Fill two glasses with ice. Pour 3/4 cup of the watermelon juice into each glass. Next, divide the fresh lime juice between the two glasses.
- Add 2 jalapeño slices and 1/2 cup of seltzer water to each glass.
- Top the glasses with 1/4 cup of mezcal. Stir lightly to combine and serve cold!
Notes
- Use quality mezcal. Choose a high-quality mezcal made from 100% agave, without added sugars or artificial flavors, for the smoothed best-tasting margarita.
- Chill ingredients. Before making the cocktail, chill the prepared watermelon juice, lime juice, and seltzer water before combining in a chilled glass to ensure the cocktail is ice-cold and refreshing.
- Adjust to taste. Customize this recipe to suit your taste – add more spice by including more jalapeño slices, tartness by increasing the amount of lime juice, or sweetness by adding more watermelon juice.
- Muddle the jalapeños. Instead of adding jalapeño slices to each cocktail, you can muddle the jalapeño to extract a more concentrated flavor for a spicier margarita.
- Use watermelon ice cubes. Elevate the flavor of this watermelon spicy margarita by freezing the leftover watermelon pulp in an ice cube tray and using them instead of ice in each drink. They will enhance the flavor as they melt!
- Flavor the cocktail rim. To add some extra flair and flavor to this mezcal margarita recipe, run a lime wedge along the rim of the glass before serving. You can also make this a salted watermelon margarita by dipping the lime-rimmed glass in sea salt.
Liked this mezcal watermelon margarita? Comment below!
Any suggestions to make it alcohol free?
Ok I’m a man and I am eager to to try this drink, don’t judge me. 😉 Question, maybe a dumb one, but do you have to use Mezcal or can you use any other Mexican Flavorful Tequila? https://prendredelamassemusculaire.fr
No judgement at all 🙂
You can use any tequila in place.
Cheers!!
I am sooooo making this over the weekend. I am also going to make the cucumber avocado salad. I may leave out the peaches this time or maybe add it to half of the salad. I’m not a big fan of mixing my savory w/sweet, but I’ve had a few savory salads with fruit that were really tasty! Thank you so much Jenne’!! I am recommitted to a whole foods plant based diet, and I know you will be a HUGE help and inspiration to stay the course. Enjoy your weekend. Be well!
Hey Shelly!! Enjoy it 🙂 It’ll get ya tipsy!
Congratulations on recommitting to a plant based diet. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help along your journey. Happy 4th!!