Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail
This watermelon cosmo cocktail brings a refreshing twist to a classic drink. With its beautiful hue and bright, fruity flavor, it’s as lovely to look at as it is to sip. Just be sure to plan ahead as this drink starts with homemade watermelon-infused vodka that takes a little time but delivers delicious results.
Once you sip this delightful watermelon cosmo, you will want it to have a starring role in your cocktail rotation! So, take advantage of watermelon season and make a big batch of watermelon infused vodka. That way you can have this delicious cocktail even when watermelon season is over.
Although nowadays you can get watermelon almost year-round, nothing is as good as vodka infused with in season fresh watermelon.
If you’re hosting a party and plan to serve this drink, be aware that watermelon vodka requires a week to infuse properly. Don’t be intimidated by alcohol infusions. They are incredibly easy to make and taste significantly better than the flavored versions you can buy in the liquor store.
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The cosmopolitan grows up
I remember the day when a cosmopolitan was made one way and one way only. Vodka, triple sec, lime and a splash of cranberry. Today, we have so many variations of the classic drink, it’s mind boggling. But in a good and delicious way.
What type of cosmo do you like? Do you like the original or do you like the ‘newfangled’ ones?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Watermelon infused vodka – I really recommend infusing your own, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble, some brands are acceptable in this cocktail.
- Cointreau – It is a delightfully delicious orange liquor. I’m very vocal about using mid-level to premium ingredients in cocktails. I use Cointreau because the taste is superior to triple sec. I suggest you buy Cointreau because once you do, you’ll never go back to a cheaper brand. Since most cocktails take just a small amount of Cointreau, it’s a great investment and one bottle goes quite far. But if you are budget conscious, triple sec will do.
- Lime juice – Always squeeze your own limes. There is no substitute to freshly squeezed juice.
- Cranberry juice – I stated in the notes that I use an unsweetened juice. I prefer to control the sweetness in cocktails and not leave it up these brands to determine how much sugar goes into my creations.
- Simple syrup – Use only if you use unsweetened cranberry juice, otherwise it will be too sweet. See helpful tip above on how to make your own.
- Fresh watermelon – Perfect for garnish.
How to make the watermelon cosmo cocktail
Pre-step
Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice and get two martini glasses. Divide six watermelon chunks between two martini picks and set aside.
After measuring out each ingredient, pour into the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – watermelon-infused vodka, Cointreau, lime, cranberry juice, and simple syrup. (A)
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of watermelon-infused vodka. (B)
Step three
Measure 1.5 ounces of Cointreau or triple sec. (C)
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Step four
Measure 1.5 ounces of lime juice. (D)
Step five
Measure 3/4 ounce of simple syrup. (E)
Step six
Measure 1.5 ounces of cranberry juice. (F)
Step seven
Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Strain, pour, and divide the watermelon drink between the two glasses. Place a skewer of watermelon in each cocktail.
I love how robust and dark it is. That’s what I was talking about earlier. Here is the old photo where I used sweetened cranberry juice.
Yum, right? It is so delicious!
I hope you enjoyed this watermelon cosmo recipe!
Other popular cosmos
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
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Watermelon Cosmo Cocktail
Ingredients
What’s in this?
- 4 ounces watermelon vodka
- 1.5 ounces Cointreau (or triple sec)
- 1.5 ounces lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1.5 ounces cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- .75 ounce simple syrup (ONLY IF USING UNSWEETENED CRANBERRY JUICE)
Garnish
- 6 chunks watermelon
Instructions
Make it Don’t Break it
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice and place 3 watermelon chunks on each martini pick.6 chunks watermelon
- Add vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup4 ounces watermelon vodka, 1.5 ounces Cointreau, 1.5 ounces lime juice, 1.5 ounces cranberry juice, .75 ounce simple syrup
- Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain, pour, and divide the cocktail between the two martini glasses. Add watermelon chunks to the glasses for garnish.
- Sip, smile, and enjoy.
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Helpful Tips:
- Originally, I made this cocktail with a popular, pre-sweetened brand of cranberry juice, BUT… now I use a natural non-sweetened juice, so if you use the popular brand, your drink will not be as dark as the one I make here. It is because the juice I use is a more robust, purer juice. I’ll keep the photo of my original watermelon cosmo at the bottom of this post so you can see what to expect.
- If you opt to use pre-sweetened cranberry juice, OMIT the simple syrup as it would make it too sweet.
- If you don’t want to infuse your own vodka, you can usually find different brands that make a watermelon vodka like Veil, Skyy and Smirnoff in the liquor store.
- Although the vodka in the old photo below is pinkish, if you infuse your own vodka, you won’t always get that result. The vodka I infused for the new photos has a different tinge. Don’t be alarmed, it all tastes delicious.
- If you are just washing a few limes, use a natural, unscented hand soap and rub your hands with the soap over the fruit. Run cold water over the limes as you use a vegetable brush on the skin.
- Make your own simple syrup as it is easy. Here’s how: measure equal parts of water and white sugar and place in a sauce pan, turn the heat on medium and bring the mixture to a boil, stir, then lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. Cool completely before using.
Nutrition
Originally published in June of 2017.
This is my ultimate cocktail! I’m a cosmo girl through and through and this watermelon twist was amazing!
Thanks Cliona. One of my cousins love, loves, loves cosmos. So, I’m always trying to figure out a different drink for her!
woohoo~ Loved this! Watermelon and citruses are fantastic together. Happy Friday! 😀
Hehe Joyce!
What a delicious, not to mention ‘pretty’ drink! Perfect for this season when watermelons abound the supermarkets! Perfection!
Thank you Tina!
Watermelon and Cosmo – what a combo! Loved this drink and will drink it all summer long.
It’s so refreshing Edyta!
Ingenious! Loved this cocktail. Beautiful photos too!
Thanks Chris!
This is the perfect cocktail for the summer now that watermelon is in season! I love this and made it for my girlfriends and it was a hit.
Thanks Katie! It is pretty perfect!!
The weather is just starting to warm up here and this really hit the spot and was smooth and delicious like it would go down a treat!
Hehe. Thanks Sarah! It goes down smooth!! 🙂
The cosmo has always been a favourite of mine (thanks to Carrie Bradshaw!) I love this new and delicious version. Looks and tastes great!
Thanks so much Alexandra!
Awesome color and awesome drink too. Love your presentation.
Thank you Veena!
Love a sweet cocktail with a kick! This refreshing cosmo didn’t disappoint. Delish!
Awesome, Beth! I hope you enjoy it!
Hi,
What are the measurements if making for a large gathering?
I’m sorry I didn’t see this comment, MoVan. In the recipe card there is a slider where it says servings. You can adjust the servings there and set it for how many people will be enjoying the drink. Hope that helped.