The flavor of watermelon is designed for summer delights, from watermelon slices to summer cocktails with watermelon juice. The watermelon daiquiri is the perfect example of a timeless summer cocktail. Whether you serve it up frozen or on the rocks, or simply in a chilled glass, it’s among the best daiquiri options.
Of course, that doesn’t discount the classic daiquiri recipe. Additionally, you’ll find great cocktails with a banana daiquiri recipe or a strawberry daiquiri recipe. The best rum for daiquiri drinks can also change the flavor of a daiquiri, and works differently with the variety of daiquiri flavors.
All that’s to say there are many excellent daiquiri options. However, every bartender, mixologist, or home-brewed mixed drink maker needs to have the watermelon daiquiri on their drinks list. Having the cocktail ingredients for this drink will keep you prepared for every summer drink occasion.
Recipe for Watermelon Daiquiri Options
There are several ways you can mix up a watermelon daiquiri. Some questions to ask yourself are:
- How much watermelon flavor do you want?
- Do you prefer a slushy drink or something on the rocks? Would you rather have a chilled glass?
- Do you prefer light rum or dark rum?
- Will you make your own bitters to mix with it?
- Do you want to mix it with other flavors? Perhaps with a garnish?
Once you’ve answered those questions, you’ll have a good idea of your recipe. If you find yourself leaning towards a few different options, that’s a great reason to try several watermelon daiquiri recipes. You can host a party to sample them, or have a limited menu at your bar for the different options.
Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri: 5 Varieties
Of all the options above, any cocktail ingredients you end up choosing can be used to mix up frozen watermelon daiquiri options. You can mix and match, or stick with tried and true recipes. The brilliant trick of a daiquiri is once it’s blended, it all works together.
These five frozen watermelon daiquiris are some classics you can never go wrong with. Once you mix them up and find your favorite, you can stick with it. You can also get creative and find new ingredients to add.
The daiquiri is a drink that has been altered through the years to find new flavor combinations. From Hemingway’s contributions to the DTO shot it's been through a lot. The tradition of mixing up new flavors is passed on to every daiquiri bartender.
"Key Takeaway: The watermelon daiquiri is the perfect example of a timeless summer cocktail."
5. Watermelon Orange Juice Daiquiri
Orange juice is a consistent addition to many daiquiri recipes. It works well with rum and so many other flavors, that it makes sense it would work well with watermelon:
- 4 cups of frozen seedless watermelon cubes
- 4 ounces of light rum
- 2 ounces of fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces of orange juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of simple syrup
This is a sweet, refreshing version of the watermelon daiquiri. If you want to do responsible day drinking, the orange juice makes it work as part of a brunch menu as well.
4. Malibu Rum Watermelon Daiquiri
The types of rum you choose to use can make a big difference for your daiquiri recipe. This watermelon daiquiri option calls for Malibu rum, which makes for an extra smooth experience:
- 4 cups of watermelon, chopped and frozen
- ½ cup of Malibu rum
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar to taste
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
Of course, any types of rum, light or dark, can make for a great daiquiri. For watermelon daiquiris that venture into a dark rum variety, you should also use a rich sweetener to make the drink a dessert treat.
3. Watermelon Agave Daiquiri
In addition to making a watermelon daiquiri extra sweet with dark rum, there’s also this tasty option that uses agave syrup. It’s an easy mix, but it’s guaranteed to delight your taste buds:
- 4 heaping cups of frozen watermelon cubes
- 1 cup of light rum
- 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons of agave syrup
- Lime wedges and watermelon slices as a garnish
You can experiment with different agave options or even local honey. This watermelon daiquiri will work nicely with any of those sweet flavors.
2. Watermelon Mint Daiquiri
Of all the flavors that pair well with watermelon, mint is one of the most refreshing. It adds a light flavor that gives a nice kick to your watermelon daiquiri:
- 4 cups of watermelon cubes
- 1 cup of light rum
- 5 mint leaves, to be muddled then added to the cocktail shaker to mix the drink
- ¼ cup of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of simple syrup
- Mint leaves as a garnish
This option works well as a shaken drink. However, it can also be blended with ice cubes after you mix it up, to make it a frozen delight.
1. Blackberry Watermelon Daiquiri
Blackberry is another flavor that brings out something special in a watermelon daiquiri. The flavors combine to create something sweet and decadent:
- 4 cups of watermelon cubes
- ½ an ounce of blackberry liqueur–or add to taste
- 1 cup of light rum
- ¼ cup of lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of simple syrup
- A skewer of blackberries as a garnish
The blackberry flavor is strong. You can experiment with these ingredient levels to find the taste that suits you best. You never know what you might stumble upon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watermelon Daiquiris
The intriguing flavor of a watermelon daiquiri brings questions alongside its place in the world of popular cocktail recipes. Whether you’re learning for yourself or you want to serve up information with drinks in your bar, learning more is always beneficial.
Is There a Watermelon Liqueur?
Yes, there are watermelon liqueurs. There are a range of brands that sell watermelon liqueurs, all of which are rich, sweet watermelon additions for cocktails. There are brands from Bols to DeKuyper. Your local liquor store is sure to carry several options. You can also learn to make your own if you have the time.
Is Watermelon Good Frozen?
Watermelon–both the fruit and the flavor–is well-suited to being frozen. Of course, if you’re eating watermelon pieces, it’s best to stick them in the refrigerator to keep it easy on the teeth. For mixing drinks, however, putting watermelon pieces in ice cubes or letting your cocktails freeze for a while before serving makes it extra refreshing.
What Alcohol Pairs Well With Watermelon?
The versatility of watermelon means it pairs well with any alcohol. From tequila to rum to vodka, there are plenty of watermelon drink options. You can make a watermelon daiquiri or cosmopolitan. You can also use a cocktail muddler with watermelon pieces with any liquor to create something simple and flavorful.
What Flavor Mixes Well With Watermelon?
Some flavors, both food- and drink-wise that mix well with watermelon include:
- Cheese
- Honey
- Salt
- Spice
- Lemon
- Cucumber
- Salmon
- Coconut
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Watermelon is quite a versatile flavor. It can be sweet, light, rich, or decadent depending on what you pair with it. It’s well worth experimenting with pairings to see what you enjoy with watermelon.
Watermelon Daiquiris: Some Water, Some Melon, Some Rum
A watermelon daiquiri, no matter which recipe you choose, is a must for any bar, restaurant, or home setup. If you’re looking to master your inventory to always have what you need for this drink, check out BinWise for your inventory program. BinWise Pro, paired with the BinScan mobile app, can help you keep watermelon, rum, and everything in between well-stocked.