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Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon sangria is a blush-pink summer sangria made by blending fresh watermelon into a smooth juice base, then chilling a rose-tinted pitcher with citrus slices. Stir in sparkling water right before serving for a light, refreshing watermelon cocktail that feels like an easy white or rosé sangria recipe.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Watermelon sangria base
  • 4 cup fresh watermelon cubed and seeded
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry rosé or white wine
  • 0.5 cup watermelon vodka or plain vodka
  • 0.25 cup triple sec
  • 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
  • 1 lime thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
  • fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Blend watermelon juice
  1. Blend 2 cups of the cubed, seeded fresh watermelon until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 1 cup fresh watermelon juice.
Build the pitcher
  1. In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon juice with the rosé or white wine, vodka, triple sec, and honey or simple syrup, then stir to combine.
  2. Add the remaining watermelon cubes, then add the thinly sliced lime and lemon to the pitcher.
Chill and meld flavors
  1. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow flavors to meld.
Serve
  1. Right before serving, top with sparkling water or club soda, stir gently, and pour into ice-filled glasses.
  2. Garnish each glass with fresh mint sprigs.

Notes

For the clearest pitcher, strain the blended watermelon juice through a fine mesh sieve so the base stays smooth. Refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours (add sparkling water just before serving for best effervescence). Freezing is not recommended because citrus and watermelon texture will soften. If you want a lighter profile, use dry rosé or a lower-sugar simple syrup (or reduce honey to 1 tablespoon) to cut sweetness.