Thirst-Quenching Watermelon-Infused Vodka Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups watermelon or one medium watermelon, cubed
• 750mL vodka
• Two large, clean bottles or jars
• Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
• Funnel

Instructions

1. Cube the watermelon, making sure to remove all seeds.
2. In a large clean bottle or jar, add the prepared watermelon and vodka.
3. After sealing, give the container a firm shake for a few seconds to mix.
4. Store the watermelon infusion in a cool, dark place for approximately three to four days, giving the container a firm shake each day.
5. After the third or fourth day, sample by pouring it into a glass. If you want more watermelon flavor, allow it to steep longer.
6. Carefully remove the cubed watermelon and discard it. Alternatively, you can use it as a garnish.
7. Pour the watermelon vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
8. Carefully seal and store in a cool, dark place for up to two years.

You can use the watermelon-infused vodka right away. Otherwise, store the unused vodka in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the quality of flavor decreases. Discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."

Variations of Watermelon-infused Vodka

Give your watermelon vodka some added complex layers of flavors with herbs and other fruits.

• Give your vodka some herbaceous notes by adding three to four sprigs of basil or mint. Or, go with spiced notes and add two to three whole cinnamon sticks.
• Create soft, sweet flavors with a vanilla bean pod sliced in half lengthwise. Sweeten it up a bit more with a pinch or two of white or brown sugar, or a half cup of honey.
• Make your vodka burst with berry flavor by adding a cup of sliced berries, such as blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
• Make it a bit fruitier with two to three whole sliced lemons or limes, or a whole, sliced orange.
• If you're a person who loves a little spice, add a tablespoon of slightly cracked black peppercorns, or a single whole jalapeño cut into slices with seeds removed.
• For a vodka that screams refreshing, include a sliced cucumber.

Watermelon-infused Vodka Cocktails

Put your summer flavor in a bottle to good use by shaking up watermelon vodka cocktails.

Watermelon Vodka Martini

While there are many ways to make a watermelon martini, isn't it the best when you don't have to bother with muddling?

Ingredients

• 2 ounces watermelon-infused vodka
• ¾ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ ounce cranberry juice
• Ice
• Watermelon wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, watermelon vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with watermelon wedge.

Melon Vodka Mojito

Skip the rum in favor of watermelon vodka in this mojito; with double the refreshing flavors, that means double the relaxation with a bit of sun and a book in hand.

Ingredients

• Three to six fresh mint leaves
• Two to three watermelon cubes
• 2 ounces watermelon-infused vodka
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Club soda to top off
• Mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves and watermelon cubes with a splash of simple syrup.
2. Add ice, watermelon vodka, lime juice, and remaining simple syrup.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Pour -- do not strain -- into highball glass.
5. Garnish with mint sprig and lime wedge.

Watermelon Limeade

If lime isn't the right flavor for you, go ahead and make this a watermelon lemonade instead.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces watermelon-infused vodka
• ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
• 4 ounces limeade
• Ice
• Lime slice and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, watermelon vodka, elderflower liqueur, and limeade.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with lime slice and mint sprig.

Queen Watermelon Fizz

Add a little bubbly to your watermelon cocktail to take the flavors from average to positively royal.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce watermelon-infused vodka
• ¾ ounce watermelon juice
• ¾ ounce honey liqueur
• Ice
• Prosecco to top off
• Citrus wheels for garnish

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass, add ice, watermelon vodka, watermelon juice, and honey liqueur.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Top off with prosecco.
4. Garnish with citrus wheels.

Mixers for Watermelon Vodka Drinks

Somedays, you just don't have the patience to make a full cocktail, so turn to these mixers for a quick and easy drink.

• Coconut water
• Tonic water
• Plain club soda
• Flavored club soda, such as lemon, lime, berry, vanilla, or coconut
• Lime juice
• Lemon juice
• Orange juice
• Simple syrup
• Pomegranate juice
• Limeade
• Lemonade
• Honey
• Tequila
• Orange liqueur
• Simple syrup

Watermelon-infused Vodka to Delight and Surprise

Make your cocktail one filled with sunshine by using homemade watermelon-infused vodka. With such a crisp and refreshing flavor, your cocktails will never be the same. And while you wait for the infusion to steep, just think of all the stunning pictures you can flash on social media.