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Watermelon Vodkarita in a rocks glass next to a bottle of Absolut Watermelon.

Watermelon Vodkarita

Written by: Scott van Dort
SV
Skill Level

Average

Taste

Fruity, Fresh & Sour

Preparation Time

4 Minutes

Glass Type

Rocks Glass

Ingredients

Parts ml
Number of Servings
1

The Watermelon Vodkarita is a summer vodka cocktail that’s absolutely bursting with watermelon flavor. 

A vodkarita is essentially a margarita cocktail made with vodka instead of tequila. The Watermelon Vodkarita is an easy to make shaken cocktail that combines watermelon vodka, fresh watermelon juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and a splash of orange liqueur. 

Served in a salt-rimmed rocks glass and garnished with both a lime wedge and a watermelon wedge, it’s the taste of Mexico with a watermelon-flavored vodka twist!

How To Make a watermelon vodkarita

Bar tools you’ll need

Jigger

Boston Shaker

Citrus Press

Fine Strainer

Knife

Mixing Glass

How to Mix

  • Use a Paring Knife to cut a Watermelon in half, then into medium-sized pieces, saving a Watermelon Wedge to garnish later.
  • Blend the Watermelon pieces until liquefied.
  • Remove the pulp by pouring the Watermelon Juice through a Sieve into a Mixing Glass (or Pitcher).
  • Use a Paring Knife to cut a Lime in half, then juice both halves using a Citrus Press.
  • Pour Kosher Salt onto a small plate.
  • Rub a Lime half along the rim of a Rocks Glass, then dip the rim into the Kosher Salt to create a Salt-Rimmed Glass.
  • Use a Jigger to measure and pour Simple Syrup into the larger tin of a Boston Shaker.
  • Measure and pour Lime Juice into the Shaker, followed by Orange Liqueur.
  • Measure and pour Watermelon Juice into the Shaker, followed by Absolut Watermelon.
  • Fill the Shaker with ice Cubes, then shake vigorously until ice-cold and condensation forms on the outside.
  • Separate the Boston Shaker and place a Hawthorne Strainer over the top of the larger tin, pouring the cocktail directly into your Glass.
  • Use a Paring Knife to cut another Lime into Lime Wedges and place one Wedge directly in your Glass to garnish.
  • Place the Watermelon Wedge you saved earlier on the rim of your Glass to garnish.

Watch Rico and Hedda Bruce create the Watermelon Vodkarita:

Rate this recipe

4.2 from 75 votes

What is a Watermelon Vodkarita?

You could say a Watermelon Vodkarita is a twist on a classic Margarita cocktail that uses watermelon-flavored vodka instead of tequila. It was created by award-winning Swedish bartender Hedda Bruce and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan.

What Does a Watermelon Vodkarita Taste Like?

Mixing watermelon-flavored vodka and fresh watermelon, the Absolut Watermelon Vodkarita is bursting with watermelon flavor. The fresh lime juice gives it a wonderful zesty zing and the salt-rim adds a whole other element, rounding off an incredible drink experience.

The History of the Watermelon Vodkarita

To understand the history of the Watermelon Vodkarita, we need to look back at the origins of the Margarita – one of the most popular cocktails on the planet. Unfortunately, nobody really knows who invented the Margarita! 

Most stories suggest it originated in the 1930s or 1940s in Mexico, often involving a beautiful woman. What we do know is that the Margarita has always been made with Tequila.

So, when was the Margarita first made with Vodka instead of Tequila? That’s another mystery.

However, Absolut Watermelon hit the market in 2021, and the Watermelon Vodkarita was invented by Award-Winning Swedish Bartender Hedda Bruce and Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, for an episode of Absolut Drinks with Rico in the summer of 2021.

Tips for Making the Perfect Watermelon Vodkarita

  • Salt-Rimmed Glass
    Although you could just strain this Cocktail into a Rocks Glass, to add a whole new dimension to the drinking experience, we recommend rubbing the rim of your Rocks Glass first with Lime, then dip the rim in Kosher Salt. A Margarita, anyone?

  • Firm up those limes
    If your limes are on the firmer side, soften them by rolling them under your palm before cutting them in half and juicing them either with a citrus press or citrus elbow.

Variations of a Watermelon Vodkarita

Watermelon Frozen Vodkarita
As if the Watermelon Vodkarita wasn’t summery enough! If you love a Frozen Margarita – and let’s be honest, who doesn’t – then you’re going to love this. 

It follows the exact same recipe as the Watermelon Vodkarita on this page, but with lots and lots of Ice! Here’s how to make an Watermelon Frozen Vodkarita.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Watermelon Vodkarita

  • Serve the Watermelon Vodkarita in a Salt-Rimmed Rocks Glass for the best experience. We suggest a double garnish – a Lime Wedge and a Watermelon Wedge.

  • There are no rules here, so feel free to place your Wedges directly into the Glass or perch them on the side. It’s completely up to you!

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