Cool off with Refreshing Watermelon Slushie Cocktails & Mocktails

Celebrate watermelon season by incorporating the ruby red, juicy fruit into delicious drinks! One of our favorites? A watermelon slushie! This delightful drink is easy to make with a blender and you can add a variety of other fruits (and alcohol!) for an extra tasty treat.

“Watermelon slushies are the perfect way to beat the heat on hot summer days. The sweet melon pairs perfectly with any type of citrus, fruit juices and fresh berries,” says Woman’s World food editor, Charles Grayauskie. (Click through to our sister publication to see how opting for a cool mocktail over a cocktail can help fight hot flashes.)

“For an adults-only kick, try adding a splash of your favorite spirit or even wine, like rosé or Sauvignon Blanc, to your Slushie.” His secret to cutting down on prep work? Start with seedless watermelon! “That way I can easily cut it up into cubes, pop them in the blender with ice, or freeze them for later use.” (Click through for how to pick the perfect watermelon)

Read on for six different varieties of a watermelon slushie, including some with a boozy twist!

Berry-Watermelon Gin Slushie

Strawberry and watermelon come together in this cocktail, which also gets a hint of tartness from lime.

• 1 cup diced strawberries
• 1 cup diced seedless watermelon
• 2 cups ice
• 3 cups limeade
• ½ cup gin
• 1 Tbs. lime juice
• ¼ tsp. grated lime zest

In a blender, puree strawberries and watermelon until almost smooth, about 30 sec., strain. Discard pulp. In a blender, combine ice, half of the strained fruit puree and next 4 ingredients. Cover, blend ingredients until slushy. Divide among 4 glasses. Garnish with mint, watermelon slices and cocktail umbrellas. Makes 4 drinks.

Watermelon-Tequila Slushie

Tart cherry flavoring perfectly balances out the sweet watermelon in this cocktail.

• 2 cups cubed watermelon
• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 (16 oz.) envelope of watermelon-cherry flavored unsweetened Kool-Aid mix
• ¼ cup tequila
• 3 cups ice

In blender, process first five ingredients until smooth. With motor running, gradually add ice and process until thick and slushy. Pour into four glasses. If desired, garnish with a watermelon slice. Makes 4 drinks.

Melon-Berry Daiquiri Slushie

Strawberries + watermelon + rum = yum!

• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 cup chopped seedless watermelon
• Juice of half a lime
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 3 oz. white rum
• Ice

Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend. Pour in glass and garnish with a lime if desired. Makes 1 drink.

Watermelon Basil Blast

“I like to pair sweet watermelon with bright herbs like basil,” shares Grayauskie. “The fresh herb adds a surprising peppery note to the fruit that really makes it shine.” (Check out these creative ways to use up leftover basil)

• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• 1 cup cubed seedless watermelon
• 1 cup halved strawberries
• Ice cubes

In small pot, simmer ¼ cup of water with sugar and basil for 5 min.; strain and chill. Add to blender with remaining ingredients and 1 cup ice cubes; blend until slushy.  Makes 2 drinks.

Watermelon-Citrus Frosty

Two types of fresh-squeezed citrus juice give a watermelon slushie a tropical twist!

• 1 cup frozen cubed watermelon
• ¾ cup orange juice
• 1 ½ tsp. lime juice

Puree all ingredients and 2 ice cubes 30 sec. Serve immediately. Makes 1 drink.

Watermelon Frosé Slushie

We swapped out the go-to strawberries for watermelon in the ever-popular frosé (frozen rose) for a unique twist.

• 1 bottle rosé
• 1 cup cubed watermelon
• 3 Tbs. honey

Blend ingredients together. Pour into ice cube trays, then freeze. To serve, pop cubes in a blender and mix until slushy.

Want more summer cocktail ideas? Check out these delicious sips!

A Spiked Key Lime Margarita Cupcake and Cocktail Combination to Cool You Off This Summer

3 Delicious Summer Cocktail Recipes That Also Improve Your Heart Health

Don’t Discard Mint or Basil! Use ‘Em To Make Herb-Infused Cocktails