Watermelon Basil Cocktail

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Fresh watermelon and basil come together to create this bright and refreshing Watermelon Basil Cocktail. Perfect for warm weather sipping, this unique and flavorful martini recipe is one you’ll want to be making again and again. 

Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass with watermelon and basil garnish.

You’re in for a treat! I’m teaching you how to make this watermelon basil cocktail. Served up in a martini glass, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious. If summer had a flavor, this might be it! 

The base of the cocktail is watermelon juice muddled with fresh basil. To achieve this, you mash up a few pieces of watermelon with a couple of basil leaves and then strain it to remove the pulp and seeds. What you end up with is a delicious juice that tastes like a summer melon with just a hint of basil.

I love herb and fruit cocktails like this Strawberry Thyme Martini, Strawberry Basil Martini, or Pineapple Basil Sangria! Yum!

Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass with watermelon and basil garnish.

I saw this cocktail on a menu a few months ago and have been dying to give it try. I wasn’t quite sure what the restaurant used to make its version, but as soon I read the name, a few ingredient ideas were dancing in my head. 

After lots of testing, I’m pleased to tell you that the resulting libation is quite delicious. I think you’re going to love this watermelon basil cocktail as much as I do! 

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail

  • It’s unique but familiar. While you’ve probably never had a watermelon and basil cocktail before, I assume you are familiar with both of its ingredients. Therefore, it’s approachable but still special. 
  • You only need four ingredients. I love a drink recipe that’s not overly complicated. With a limited amount of ingredients, this cocktail couldn’t get much easier to make. 
  • It’s ideal for summer, but you can enjoy it whenever. I think this is a delightful recipe to enjoy during warmer weather months when watermelon and basil are both in season. However, you can certainly enjoy this cocktail any time of the year. I think it would be lovely for a bridal/baby shower or even to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day
Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass with watermelon and basil garnish.

Ingredients

  • fresh watermelon – This is where a lot of the flavor comes from in this cocktail recipe. Be sure to use a watermelon that’s fresh and full of flavor. 
  • basil leaves – Fresh basil leaves are a must here. Pick them up at the store or grab them out of your cocktail garden. 
  • vodka – To make sure the watermelon basil flavor stood out in this cocktail, I relied on vodka for the main liquor. (When you’re making any martini, go with a top-shelf vodka for the best results. As of late, my brand of choice is Tito’s.)
  • St-Germain liqueur – This sweet liqueur, with flavors reminiscent of pear and lychee, perfectly complements everything else that’s happening in this martini.
Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass with watermelon and basil garnish.

How to Make

With these simple steps, you can shake up this watermelon and basil cocktail in minutes. I’ve also provided a printable recipe card below for a full rundown of the ingredients and instructions.

  1. In a large glass, muddle the watermelon with two basil leaves to release as much juice as possible. 
watermelon and basil being muddled in cocktail shaker.
  1. Strain through a fine sieve and reserve the juice.
  2. To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2.5 ounces of watermelon juice, vodka, and St-Germain. 
  3. Shake vigorously. 
gold cocktail shaker pouring drink in martini glass.
  1. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a watermelon slice and basil leaf.

Sip, serve, and enjoy! Cheers!

Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass with watermelon and basil garnish.

Recipe Tips and Variations

If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, feel free to add an extra splash of St-Germain (or even some simple syrup) when you’re shaking up your martini.

Not a fan of vodka, try this recipe with rum

While I’ve made this cocktail with watermelon and basil, you could get creative and try it with other fruits and herbs

Some tasty options might include: 

  • pineapple
  • mango
  • strawberry
  • thyme
  • lemongrass
  • rosemary

Have fun experimenting and making it your own! 

Watermelon Basil Cocktail in martini glass.

More Summer Cocktails to Enjoy

Join me in savoring these last days of summer with one (or two) of these Watermelon Basil Cocktails. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebookand Pinterest

This Watermlon Basil Martini is a fresh and herby cocktail perfect for summer sipping! | Inspired by Charm

Watermelon Basil Cocktail

This Watermelon Basil Cocktail is a fresh and herby cocktail perfect for warm weather sipping!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: basil, martini, summer cocktail, watermelon
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 313kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh watermelon chopped
  • 2 large basil leaves
  • 2.5 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce St. Germain Liqueur
  • small watermelon slice and basil leaf for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large glass, muddle the watermelon with two basil leaves to release as much juice as possible.
  • Strain through a fine sieve and reserve the juice.
  • To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2.5 ounces of the watermelon juice, vodka, and St. Germain.
  • Shake vigorously.
  • Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a watermelon slice and basil leaf.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 907IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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