Transforming classic cocktails and fruity favorites into everyone's drink of choice isn't particularly easy, and making watermelon drinks non alcoholic can challenge even the best of mixologists. However, by substituting alcohol for a few pantry staples, and adding herbs and spices, you can create your family's next favorite summertime sipper.
Watermelon Drinks Non Alcoholic Mojito
Thankfully, its incredibly easy to make substitutions to transform a watermelon mojito into a virgin drink. Simply let your favorite juices or mixers - like white grape juice, apple juice, apple cider, and even ginger ale - take the rum's place. So, whether you're pregnant just in time for watermelon season, or you're not a fan of alcohol's side-effects, this refreshing watermelon drink might become your new found favorite.
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ounces juice of choice (or try a non-alcoholic cane spirit)
- 2 to 4 ounces club soda
- Ice
- Mint sprig and small watermelon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In the bottom of a Collins, muddle the mint, lime juice, and sugar.
- Add the juice and ice. Stir.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a small watermelon wedge.
Cape Cod Watermelon Mocktail
Perhaps a lesser-known cocktail, the Cape Cod (or Cape Codder) is an absolutely no-fuss drink which mixes cranberry juice and vodka. This virgin recipe adds watermelon to the mix to create a pitcher's worth of this lightly fruit flavored mocktail. This makes 2 cocktails.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup grenadine
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup cubed seedless watermelon
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- Seltzer
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, puree the grenadine, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and watermelon.
- Strain out any leftover rind or lingering seeds into a separate glass.
- Add ice into a tall glass and pour in about ¾ cup of the mixture.
- Top off with seltzer and stir. Garnish with a ilme wheel.
Virgin Watermelon Mint Margarita
This virgin watermelon margarita recipe is incredibly similar to the summertime classic, but substitutes the tequila for sparkling water. With this recipe, you can quickly whip out a refreshing option for non alcohol drinkers, and alcohol drinkers can add a splash of their favorite silver tequila to take it up a notch.
Ingredients
- 2 lime wedges, divided
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 cup seedless watermelon, cubed
- 10 mint leaves plus 1 sprig of mint, divided
- ¾ ounce freshly squeeze lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Sparkling water
- 1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
- Run one of the lime wedges around the rim of a margarita glass. Spread the salt on a small plate and dip the rim into the salt.
- In a blender, blend the watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice, syrup, and ice. Stir in the sparkling water.
- Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with the remaining lime wedge and a mint sprig.
Watermelon Nonalcoholic Sangria
This nonalcoholic watermelon sangria is a great option to fill up poolside punchbowls with. This recipe in particular serves about five to six people and can be transformed into a typical sangria by substituting the sparkling grape juice with prosecco or a similar wine. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon, cubed
- 1 lime, sliced
- 10 mint leaves
- 3 ½ cups sparkling grape juice
- 1 cup blackberries
- Ice
Instructions
- Freeze the watermelon cubes.
- Once the watermelon is ready, add the lime and mint into a glass.
- Add the blackberries, frozen watermelon cubes, and ice.
- Pour the sparkling grape juice over the ingredients and stir.
Coconut Watermelon Mocktail
For those who love the fresh taste of coconut but aren't always in the mood for a pina colada, marrying watermelon to the beachfront drink is a great option. Combine seedless watermelons with the refreshing taste of coconut juice to create this watermelon-coconut mocktail. This serves 6.
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut juice
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, diced
- Sugar, to taste
- Ice
- 1 mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, puree the diced watermelon and coconut juice until thoroughly mixed. Taste and if needed, add sugar for extra sweetness.
- Add ice to a glass and pour your mixed drink on top.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a tall straw.
Put Your Leftover Watermelon to Good Use
Unfortunately, the bountiful abundance of summertime fruits like watermelons doesn't always last, and while the urge may be great to purchase those last few watermelons in the box at your local farmer's market, it'll leave you asking yourself what else you can do with it to help you choke down those last bits of the pink fruit. Of course, these mocktails are the perfect balm for those watermelon blues and will help you get rid of the last bits of melon lingering in your pantry in time for the the season's change.
