Watermelon Gin Spritzer
This watermelon gin spritzer is light, fizzy, and built for warm afternoons. Fresh watermelon juice, lime, gin, and club soda make a bright drink that is easy to scale for a small gathering.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 drinks
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 15mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
A spritzer is a bubbly drink made by mixing wine or spirits with sparkling water. This version uses fresh watermelon juice as the base, so it tastes fruity without being heavy.
The recipe is simple: blend ripe watermelon, add lime and a little simple syrup, then stir in gin and top with club soda. Straining the juice keeps the drink smooth, but you can skip that step if you like a thicker, pulpier texture.
Serve these right away while the bubbles are lively and the drink is very cold. If you are making them for guests, prepare the watermelon-lime mixture ahead and add the gin and soda just before pouring.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 4 drinks
- 6 cups chilled cubed seedless watermelon, about 910 g
- 6 ounces gin
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup, plus more to taste if needed
- 2 cups chilled club soda or plain seltzer
- Ice, for serving
- Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
- Small watermelon wedges or lime wheels, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the serving pieces
Place 4 glasses in the refrigerator or freezer while you make the drink. Cold glasses help the ice melt more slowly and keep the spritzer crisp.
2. Blend the watermelon
Add the cubed watermelon to a blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 to 45 seconds. If your blender is small, work in two batches.
3. Strain the juice
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large measuring cup or pitcher. Pour in the blended watermelon and let the juice drain through. Press gently with a spoon to help it along. You should have about 3 cups watermelon juice.
4. Mix the citrus and sweetener
Add the lime juice and simple syrup to the watermelon juice. Stir well, then taste. If the watermelon is not very sweet, add another teaspoon or two of simple syrup.
5. Add the gin
Pour the gin into the watermelon mixture and stir gently. Keep the mixture cold until you are ready to serve.
6. Fill the glasses
Fill each chilled glass with ice. Divide the watermelon-gin mixture evenly among the glasses.
7. Top with bubbles
Pour about 1/2 cup chilled club soda into each glass. Stir once or twice with a long spoon. Do not over-stir, or you will lose some of the fizz.
8. Garnish and serve
Add a mint sprig and a small watermelon wedge or lime wheel to each glass. Serve right away while the drink is cold and sparkling.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Blend and strain the watermelon up to 24 hours ahead. Stir in the lime juice and simple syrup, then refrigerate. Add the gin and club soda just before serving.
- Storage: Once mixed with club soda, the spritzer is best enjoyed right away. Leftovers will lose their bubbles, but you can refrigerate them for a few hours and serve over fresh ice.
- Sweetness tip: Watermelons vary a lot. Taste the juice before adding more syrup. A very ripe watermelon may need little or no extra sweetener.
- Gin swap: Vodka works well for a cleaner flavor. Blanco tequila also works if you like a sharper, more citrusy drink.
- No simple syrup? Stir 2 tablespoons sugar with 2 tablespoons hot water until dissolved, then cool before using. Honey syrup can also work, but it will add a stronger flavor.
- Nonalcoholic version: Leave out the gin and add an extra 1/2 cup club soda or sparkling water. A splash of alcohol-free gin can add botanical flavor if you have it.
Cook's note
For the smoothest drink, use seedless watermelon and strain the juice. If you prefer a more rustic spritzer with body, skip the straining and shake or stir the mixture well before pouring.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use bottled watermelon juice?
Yes. Use about 3 cups chilled bottled watermelon juice in place of the blended fresh watermelon. Choose unsweetened juice if possible, then adjust the simple syrup to taste.
What kind of gin works best?
A dry gin with citrus or herbal notes is a good fit. Very floral gins can also work, but they may make the drink taste perfumed, so use one you already enjoy.
Do I have to strain the watermelon?
No. Straining gives the spritzer a cleaner texture, but unstrained watermelon juice is fine. The drink will be thicker and may separate as it sits, so stir before serving.
Can I make this in a pitcher?
Yes. Mix the watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and gin in a pitcher and chill. Add the club soda right before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
How do I pick a good watermelon for this drink?
Look for a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow field spot where it rested on the ground. The fruit should smell fresh and feel firm, not soft.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
4 drinks
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium3 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate24 g
- 9%
- Dietary Fiber1 g
- 4%
- Total Sugars19 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium18 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.6 mg
- 3%
- Potassium273 mg
- 6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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