Watermelon Cosmopolitan
Average
Fruity & Sour
4 Minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
A Watermelon Cosmopolitan is a variation of the classic Cosmopolitan Cocktail. While similar to the classic Cosmo, its bright, fruit-forward flavor sets this cocktail apart.
Just like the iconic cocktail it’s based on, this Watermelon Cosmo recipe features lime juice, triple sec and cranberry juice but replaces the lemon-flavored vodka with watermelon-flavored vodka. It also features a lime twist instead of orange zest.
Ready to give the Watermelon Cosmopolitan a try? Mix up this Watermelon Cosmo cocktail in no time, regardless of your experience with these handy tips.
How To Make a watermelon cosmopolitan cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Knife
Citrus Elbow
How to Mix
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Fill a Boston Shaker with Ice Cubes.
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Use a Knife to cut a lime in half then use a Citrus Elbow to juice the Lime. Save some Lime Peel for garnishing.
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Use a Jigger to measure and pour Lime Juice into the smaller tin of the shaker.
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Measure and pour Cranberry Juice into the shaker.
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Measure and pour Triple Sec, followed by Absolut Vodka into the shaker.
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Connect the two tins together and shake vigorously until the shaker is frosty to touch.
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Separate your shaker, then place a Hawthorne Strainer over the top of the larger tin of the shaker.
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Pour the cocktail through both the Hawthorne Strainer and Fine Mesh Strainer into your Cocktail Glass.
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Cut a thin strip of Lime Peel using a Peeler or Knife. Then, use a Straw to wrap the peel around for a few seconds to form a spiral or twist.
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Place the Lime Twist directly into your glass to garnish.
What is a Watermelon Cosmopolitan Cocktail?
A Watermelon Cosmopolitan is a variant of the classic Cosmopolitan Cocktail – an iconic drink, popular the world over. Just like the classic Cosmo, a Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail is shaken with ice and best served in a Martini Glass. While the color of the Watermelon Cosmo is similar to the original, its delicious, fresh watermelon flavor sets it apart.
What does a Watermelon Cosmopolitan taste like?
The Watermelon Cosmopolitan tastes like the classic Cosmo, but it features a slightly sweeter, fruitier taste, thanks to the watermelon-flavored vodka. The cocktail can be best described as fruity, bright and citrusy.
The History of the Watermelon Cosmopolitan
The Watermelon Cosmopolitan is a vibrant variation of the iconic Cosmopolitan cocktail – though its roots are often debated. References to similar concoctions appear in cocktail books from the 1920s and 1930s, though the ingredients differ from the modern Cosmo we recognize today.
Some believe the Cosmopolitan was created by a head bartender in Miami in the 1980s, inspired by the then-newly released Absolut Citron. However, it wasn’t until the 90s that the Cosmo truly rose to fame, gaining popularity in trendy bars and fashionable social circles thanks to its striking pink hue and delicious citrus flavor.
Today, the classic Cosmo continues to hold its esteemed status and is enjoyed in a variety of social settings. Numerous variations have emerged over time, including the visually striking Blue Cosmo, the citrusy Blood Orange Cosmo and this pink and delicious watermelon version.
Tips for making a Perfect Watermelon Cosmopolitan
Fixing the perfect Watermelon Cosmopolitan starts with a few important tips.
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Always Use Fresh Lime Juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice offers more aromatic sharpness than bottled lime juice, which can impact the overall flavor of the cocktail. Fresh is best – always.
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Chill Your Cocktail Glass
A Watermelon Cosmopolitan is best served cold, really cold. The balance of sweet and tart flavors in a Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail is best expressed when the drink is nicely chilled, as it allows the citrus and fruit flavors to be more pronounced.
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Shake, and Then Shake Some More
Shaking cocktails for 10–15 seconds is essential to achieve the right balance of dilution, chilling, and emulsification. This process ensures the ingredients are well combined, the drink is properly chilled, and the texture is smooth and consistent. You can tell when a Cosmo is shaken enough when the outside of the shaker becomes frosted.
Variations of a Watermelon Cosmopolitan
Like most classic cocktails, the Cosmopolitan has inspired a range of spin-offs and variations you can try at home.
- Want to double down on the orange flavor from triple sec? Try mixing with Absolut Mandrin for twice the citrus.
- Fully embrace the pink and replace the Lime Juice for 10ml of grapefruit juice – and add grapefruit peel for garnish.
- Go frozen. Fill a blender with ice cubes, add all the ingredients, with 50 ml watermelon juice, blend and pour into a rocks glass.
- Create a fizzy, celebratory drink by adding 50ml of Champagne for a Watermelon Sparkly Cosmo recipe.
Discover more about different Cosmopolitan variations.
Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Watermelon Cosmopolitan
Now that you’ve perfected your Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail, it’s time to serve it up. Here are some top tips.
- Chill your glass in the freezer for 30 minutes to two hours before serving.
This will keep your Watermelon Cosmopolitan cold for longer, and you might get the added appeal of some frosting on the outside of the glass. - Make a classic lime zest twist with a peeler.
Express some of the natural oils over the glass and then rub it around the rim to enhance the citrus notes. Alternatively, you can slice a wheel of citrus fruit and rest it on the rim of the glass for a simple yet decorative touch. - Watermelon’s sweet, vibrant flavor pairs well with spice and salt.
For a chili-lime rim, rub a lime wedge around the glass and dip it in a mix of 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp mild chili powder.
Watermelon Cosmopolitan FAQ
Watermelon gives a sweet freshness to many cocktails, so lends itself to a range of spirits. Try mixing yours with vodka, gin or even tequila.
Even though watermelon has a unique taste, it can still be paired nicely with other fruit flavors. If you’re feeling like an extra hit of fruit, you could add the pulp from blueberries or raspberries – and also the likes of pomegranate or cranberry.
