A watermelon mojito is summer in a glass: fresh melon juice, mint, lime, and a little white rum, topped with club soda. Instead of using bottled juice or syrup, you blend real watermelon and strain it, so the drink tastes clean and bright, and the color is a gorgeous deep pink.
This recipe makes four drinks from one small seedless watermelon, which makes it ideal for a barbecue or a hot afternoon with friends. The juice can be made ahead, and you build each glass to order, so serving is quick and easy.
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Why This Watermelon Mojito Recipe Works
This watermelon mojito works because watermelon is almost pure water and sugar, which means it dilutes rum gently and gives you sweetness without any added syrup. Lime juice sharpens the flavor, and a little sugar muddled with the mint makes sure the drink does not taste flat.
Blending and straining the melon also matters. The strained juice is silky and clear, so you get a cocktail that pours smoothly and does not clog a straw. Making a batch of juice first means each glass takes about a minute to assemble, which is ideal when you are entertaining.
Ingredients for Watermelon Mojito
- 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon (from 1 small personal size watermelon)
- 2 tbsp whole mint leaves (about 20 medium leaves), plus 4 sprigs for garnish
- 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 6 oz white rum (1 1/2 oz per drink)
- Club soda, to top
- 4 small watermelon wedges, for garnish
Watermelon: pick a heavy melon with a deep yellow spot where it sat on the ground. Seedless saves you from picking out seeds before blending.
Mint: fresh leaves release the ideal aroma. Spearmint is milder and sweeter than peppermint.
Lime juice: squeeze it fresh, since it balances the sweet melon. Lemon juice also works in a pinch.
White rum: light and neutral so the fruit stays the star. Skip it entirely for a family friendly drink.
Sugar: start with the amount listed and add more only if your melon is not very sweet.
How to Make Watermelon Mojito
1. Prep the melon. Cut the watermelon in half, remove the skin and pith from one half, and cut it into cubes. Slice the other half into wedges for garnish.
2. Blend. Blend 4 cups of cubes on high for about 30 seconds until completely liquid with no chunks left.
3. Strain. Pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. Press lightly and discard the pulp. You should have about 2 cups of juice.
4. Muddle in each glass. In a tall collins glass, combine 5 mint leaves, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tsp sugar. Muddle gently until the sugar dissolves.
5. Add rum and ice. Pour in 1 1/2 oz white rum, then fill the glass with ice.
6. Add juice. Pour in 4 oz of watermelon juice and stir with a bar spoon until the color is even.
7. Top and garnish. Add club soda to fill, then garnish with mint and a watermelon wedge. Repeat for the other glasses.
How to Serve Watermelon Mojito
Serve a watermelon mojito in a tall glass with a paper straw and a wedge on the rim. It is a natural partner for grilled burgers, spicy skewers, and salty chips with a cool dip.
For a full drink menu, add the strawberry pineapple mojito, the blueberry mojito pitcher, the creamy coconut mojito, or the easy mango mojito.
How to Store and Reheat Watermelon Mojito
Store leftover watermelon juice in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shake or stir it before using, since fresh juice separates. Do not store mixed mojitos, because the club soda goes flat and the mint turns dark and bitter.
If you want to freeze the juice, pour it into an ice cube tray and use the cubes later in a slushy version of this watermelon mojito. There is no reheating needed.
Tips and Variations for Watermelon Mojito
Chill everything. Cold melon makes a cold drink without dilution from extra ice.
Do not over muddle. Press mint lightly, just enough to release oils.
Make it frozen. Blend cubes with rum, lime, and mint for a slushy.
Try a spicy kick. Muddle a thin slice of jalapeno with the mint.
Batch for a gathering. Mix the juice, lime, and rum in a pitcher and add mint and soda in each glass.
Make it alcohol free. Skip the rum and add extra club soda and a splash of lime.
Store smart. University of Minnesota Extension offers general guidance on refrigerating cut fruit and leftovers promptly, which is helpful for the juice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watermelon Mojito
Can I make a watermelon mojito ahead of time?
Make the juice ahead and keep it in the fridge. Mix each glass just before serving so the mint and soda stay fresh.
How much juice does one watermelon make?
4 cups of cubes makes about 2 cups of juice, enough for four drinks at 4 oz each.
What type of watermelon is ideal for a watermelon mojito?
A small, sweet seedless variety. It blends smoothly and gives the deepest color.
Can I use bottled watermelon juice?
You can, but fresh juice tastes brighter and has no added sugar. Taste first and reduce the sugar if the bottled juice is sweet.
Do I need a strainer?
A fine strainer gives the smoothest drink. Without one, the foam and pulp make the glass cloudy.
Watermelon Mojito
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Muddler
- Collins glass
- Bar spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cup cubed seedless watermelon from 1 small personal size watermelon
- 2 tbsp whole mint leaves about 20 leaves, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
- 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice about 2 limes
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 6 oz white rum 1 1/2 oz per drink, skip for non alcoholic
- ¼ cup club soda to top
- 4 small watermelon wedges for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Blend. Blend the watermelon cubes on high for about 30 seconds until completely liquid.
- Strain. Pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl and discard the pulp. You should have about 2 cups of juice.
- Muddle each glass. In a tall glass, gently muddle 5 mint leaves, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tsp sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Add rum and ice. Pour in 1 1/2 oz rum and fill the glass with ice.
- Add juice. Pour in 4 oz watermelon juice and stir until evenly pink.
- Top and garnish. Add club soda to fill, then garnish with mint and a watermelon wedge. Repeat for each glass.
