Basil Watermelon Margarita

Oh how I adore summertime! For me, summer means fresh juicy watermelons – and in turn, these watermelon basil margaritas. The flavor combo is a necessity, truly. 

Fresh watermelon juice with crushed basil, a tajin sugar rim for a kick of smoky spicy and sweet flavor, and then a little tequila, a splash of triple sec, and some simple syrup.

All of this comes together in the most delicious cocktail, ideal for cookouts, parties, or simply enjoyed at your leisure.

Why You’ll Love this Margarita

• Easy to make and easily customizable! 
• Refreshing and delicious take on a classic margarita! 
• Excellent drink for parties!

Equipment Needed 

Like most of my drink and cocktail recipes, you’ll need:

• Cocktail Shaker – if you don’t have cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar or any jar with a lid.
• Muddler – a wooden spoon works here too. 
• Strainer – a fine mesh sieve is a good sub for a strainer.
• Jigger – you can also use a tablespoon in place of a jigger. Rule of thumb – 1 tbsp is a 1/2 ounce. So, 1.5 oz is 3 tbsps. 
• Lemon Squeezer (not mandatory but recommended)

How to make Watermelon Margaritas

First, prep the glasses with the tajin sugar rim (you can use sea salt if you prefer a salty spin). Add sugar and tajin to a shallow bowl and mix together. Rub a lime across the rim of the glass and then dip the rim into the tajin mixture. Set aside.

In the cocktail shaker, add the watermelon chunks and fresh basil leaves. Use a muddle to crush the watermelon and basil together. Really crush everything together to release as much juice and flavor as possible. 

• Add in 1 ounce of lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup or agave nectar, 1/2 oz triple sec, and 1.5 oz tequila. Add a few ice cubes, place the cap onto the cocktail shaker and shake for 5-10 seconds, until the shaker turns cold.

• Use a strainer (a fine mesh strainer works well here too) to strain out the watermelon pulp and crushed basil. Strain into the prepared margarita glass, discard the pulp.

Add additional watermelon chunks and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and a wedge of watermelon.

Tips and Tricks

• Serve cold! 
• You’ll need quite a bit of basil for this recipe to be able to get good flavor. Be sure that you have enough on hand, especially if making for a crowd.
• If making a big batch for a crowd, simply multiply the recipe by the amount of people you’re preparing the cocktails for. 

Variations

• Use watermelon schnapps if you want a super punchy watermelon flavor! 
• Mocktail – omit the tequila and triple sec for a delicious mocktail.
• For a stronger basil flavor, use more basil leaves – just be sure to use fresh basil for the best flavor. 
• Add Jalapenos – I love a spicy marg. You can add a few slices of jalapenos while muddling the watermelon and basil for a little heat. 
• Frozen Margs – add watermelon juice to an ice tray and freeze. Add to a blender with the remainder of the ingredients and blend until smooth. 

What to serve with Margaritas

Margaritas pair wonderfully with a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes. Serve them alongside fresh crab guacamole and tortilla chips, mango habanero salsa, or Mango Shrimp Salad, .

For a heartier option, serve with cajun shrimp tacos, garlic parmesan chicken skewers, and a squeeze of lime. If you’re looking for a side, a light and tangy Mexican street pasta corn salad (elote) is a perfect match. These dishes complement the citrusy and refreshing notes of margaritas, creating a balanced and flavorful dining experience.