Go Back

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon sangria is a blush-pink, pitcher-style watermelon cocktail made with fresh watermelon juice, rosé (or white wine), and vodka. Blend, mix, then chill so the fruit and citrus meld for a refreshing party drink with mint and floating lime/lemon slices.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Watermelon sangria base
  • 4 cup fresh watermelon cubed and seeded
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry rosé or white wine
  • 0.5 cup watermelon vodka or plain vodka
  • 0.25 cup triple sec
  • 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
  • 1 lime thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
  • 1 fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer

Method
 

Blend and strain watermelon juice
  1. Blend 2 cups of cubed and seeded watermelon until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 1 cup of fresh watermelon juice. Stop when the juice is smooth and the pulp is left behind.
Mix the pitcher
  1. Combine the watermelon juice, dry rosé or white wine, watermelon vodka (or plain vodka), triple sec, and honey (or simple syrup) in a large pitcher and stir to combine. Mix until the honey/syrup dissolves and the base looks evenly tinted.
Add fruit and chill
  1. Add the remaining watermelon cubes, thinly sliced lime, and thinly sliced lemon to the pitcher. Stir gently so the citrus slices float throughout the pink base.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow flavors to meld. Chill until very cold before serving.
Finish and serve
  1. Right before serving, add sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher and stir gently. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish each with fresh mint sprigs.

Notes

For the best texture, blend only enough watermelon to reach a smooth puree, then strain so the sangria stays silky rather than pulpy. Refrigerate covered up to 24 hours (add sparkling water just before serving); freezing is not recommended. For a lighter option, swap the vodka with additional rosé/white wine or use a non-alcoholic rosé and skip the vodka for a lower-proof version.