Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris

By Lidey Heuck

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris
Nico Schinco for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
20 minutes, plus 3 hours’ freezing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes, plus 3 hours’ freezing
Rating
4(67)
Notes
Read community notes

Fresh watermelon juice is one of summer’s most refreshing treats, and is arguably even more of a treat when used to make specialty summer cocktails. Its fresh, sweet flavor pairs well with everything from vodka to tequila to gin, and, in this case, white rum. Inspired by the ingredients in a classic daiquiri, this recipe uses frozen cubes of watermelon in place of ice for a potent, full-flavored drink. Along with freshly squeezed lime juice, a generous pour of rum and a splash of simple syrup to round things out, this is the ultimate summer party cocktail. If you think to freeze some watermelon ahead of time, you can have a pitcher of watermelon daiquiris ready in ten minutes, any day you like.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 drinks
  • 10cups 1-inch-cubed seedless watermelon (3½ pounds, from a watermelon that is at least 7 pounds)
  • 1½cups white rum, plus more if desired
  • ⅔cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 6 limes), plus lime wedges for garnish
  • ½cup simple syrup or light agave syrup
  • ½teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

284 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 36 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 176 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Spread the watermelon cubes on a sheet pan or other tray and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. Once the cubes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 1 week.

  2. Step 2

    Place 5 cups of the frozen watermelon cubes in a blender. Blend on low to crush some of the watermelon cubes. (It’s OK if they aren’t uniformly crushed.) Add ¾ cup rum, ⅓ cup lime juice, ¼ simple syrup and ¼ teaspoon salt. Blend on low, raising the speed and pausing to stir if necessary, until thick and slushy in texture.

  3. Step 3

    Pour the mixture into 3 glasses and repeat with the remaining 5 cups watermelon, ¾ cup rum, ⅓ cup lime juice, ¼ cup simple syrup and ¼ teaspoon salt to make a second batch.

  4. Step 4

    Serve the drinks cold, finished with an additional splash of rum if desired and garnished with lime wedges.

Ratings

4 out of 5
67 user ratings
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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Liz

If the watermelon is sweet enough, you don’t need the simple syrup. It’s outstanding when you can find a sweet enough melon and you just need to add the alcohol. A sprig of mint makes the drink divine.

LC

I've never commented on a recipe before, but I just made watermelon juice using my food processor and not my blender. Even seedless watermelons have some seeds. Rather than putting the watermelon in my blender, I used my food processor so the seeds were not chopped up. In the food processor most of the seeds stayed whole, just spinning around, and were easily strained out while retaining the pulp. The pulpy strained liquid could then be frozen in ice cube trays or enjoyed fresh like we did.

JF

Made with frozen strawberries in place of watermelon. Fabulous!

Kate

Replace rum with tequila and add a Midori float on top.

suzeshoes

Use tequila and make a frozen marg instead—-yum

Nicole

This is great with some Canada Dry or Sprite mixed in. We use diet for less sugar

Katie

Same technique for a pina colada—frozen fresh pineapple, coconut milk, rum!

Joyce

Very refreshing! A friend made a batch of these for an outdoor symphony event yesterday and they were just delightful. I plan on making these regularly this summer.

Nadia

I made this with a slightly under ripe melon that wasn't super sweet and it turned out excellent! Reminded me of Jolly Ranchers. Didn't change a thing, but if I had a sweeter melon I'd reduce the simple syrup (might need to add a bit of water or blend longer to get a good consistency if so).

Katie

Same technique for a pina colada—frozen fresh pineapple, coconut milk, rum!

suzeshoes

Use tequila and make a frozen marg instead—-yum

Nicole

This is great with some Canada Dry or Sprite mixed in. We use diet for less sugar

JF

Made with frozen strawberries in place of watermelon. Fabulous!

Kate

Replace rum with tequila and add a Midori float on top.

LC

I've never commented on a recipe before, but I just made watermelon juice using my food processor and not my blender. Even seedless watermelons have some seeds. Rather than putting the watermelon in my blender, I used my food processor so the seeds were not chopped up. In the food processor most of the seeds stayed whole, just spinning around, and were easily strained out while retaining the pulp. The pulpy strained liquid could then be frozen in ice cube trays or enjoyed fresh like we did.

Liz

If the watermelon is sweet enough, you don’t need the simple syrup. It’s outstanding when you can find a sweet enough melon and you just need to add the alcohol. A sprig of mint makes the drink divine.

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