Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita.

This Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita is my favorite quick and easy, but oh so refreshing summer mezcal margarita. Smoky mezcal (or tequila) mixed with a splash of orange liquor, sweet watermelon cider, a touch of citrusy lemon, mint, and spicy jalapeños. This summery garden-inspired margarita is a fruity, smoky, and spicy take on the classic. The perfect mezcal cocktail to sip on with friends and family all summer long. Finish this cocktail off with a salty chili lemon rimmed glass, fresh herbs, and a watermelon wedge for that extra special touch.

I told myself I was going to skip this Saturday’s cocktail. It’s a Saturday in the summer…people have other things to do…but then I had some ideas. And not just one idea, a few ideas. And then? Well, I just had to create this summertime margarita. So, here we are today!

Another Saturday, another cocktail. And I’m so happy and excited about it. I LOVE being overly excited about new recipes.

The truth is that summer in the cooking/blogging world is much slower. Therefore, I try to take a few more days off than say, the fall. But I hate breaking tradition and I’ve come to love Cocktail Saturdays. I don’t know, maybe I’ll continue doing them all summer long. Maybe we’ll do a new cocktail every other week. Or even once a month, then kick things up a notch come fall. Who knows, I’m playing it by year and just letting this wonderful summer season inspire me.

Which brings me to this margarita. It’s yet another recipe inspired by our herb garden and fresh lilac trees. I had juicy watermelon on the counter, lemons in the fridge, and Mezcal in the pantry. So this one really just made itself. It’s the perfect summer cocktail. It’s a touch of sweetness, a little bit spicy, hinted with smokiness, and so refreshing too!

The very quick details…

This margarita is easy.

First, make some fresh watermelon juice. How do you do this? It’s EASY. Blend a whole bunch of cubed watermelon, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. Or don’t strain it, and make your cocktail more of a “smoothie” situation. Either way, it works and it’s going to be good.

Now, the rim. I LOVE a rimmed cocktail, as I’m sure you all have noticed. This one is delicious, just salt, chipotle chili powder, a pinch of sugar, and lots of lemon zest. If you want to go the extra mile, add finely crushed rose petals to the mix too.

Next, find your favorite bottle of smoky mezcal. Or if you can’t stand mezcal (some love it, some hate it), use your favorite blanco tequila. But the mezcal is what gives this margarita its smokiness.

Now, add a splash of orange liqueur, a good amount of that watermelon juice, a little citrusy lemon, fresh mint and or lemon, and spice it up with a couple of jalapeño slices. Shake and strain into glasses. Then top with some bubbly sparkling water.

Easy, with so much flavor.

If you want to make this margarita “extra” special. Add the garnishes…

Meaning, a watermelon wedge and a sprig of mint or basil. If you have edible flowers around you, like lilacs, could add those too…you know I did.

And that’s it. Serve this up tonight, tomorrow, or for Father’s day this Sunday. Or, if you’re already planning out your Fourth of July menu, this makes for a pretty great 4th of July margarita too!

And speaking of Father’s Day…

Here is my Father’s Day menu so far…

Starting the morning off with my baked blackberry ricotta French toast, to really show dad how much I love him.

For dinner, we’ll be kicking the night off with this smoky watermelon lemon margarita…of course. Tip: while you sip, snack on some homemade Goldfish (a little random, but my dad loves these baked cheesy snacks the most).

For dinner, I’m grilling up my sweet potato fry steak salad and serving it alongside this marinated goat cheese crostini.

And for dessert? Last year’s 6 ingredient chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake…because it’s my dad’s all-time favorite dessert.

What’s on your menus? I’m excited to (hopefully) see everyone recreating this drink over the weekend! Enjoy!

Looking for other margarita recipes? Here are some favorites:

Blackberry Thyme Margarita

Strawberry Hibiscus Margarita

Spicy Mango Margarita

Spicy Cucumber Margarita

Lastly, if you make this smoky watermelon lemon margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita

4.64 from 33 votes

1

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 379kcal

Print Email

See More HBH on Google

Prep10 minutes mins

Total10 minutes mins

A quick, easy, and refreshing summer margarita...finish with a salty chili lemon rimmed glass, herbs, and a watermelon wedge for that extra special touch!

Save this recipe!

Enter your email and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

Email Title Post

Email *

Save

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2-3 cups cubed watermelon
• ▢ 2 ounces mezcal or silver tequila
• ▢ 1/2 ounce Cointreau , (orange liquor)
• ▢ juice from 1/2 lemon
• ▢ 4 fresh basil and or mint leaves, torn
• ▢ 1-2 jalapeño slices
• ▢ 1/4 cup sparkling water, for topping

Chili Lemon Salt

• ▢ 1/4 cup flaky sea salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• ▢ 1 pinch granulated sugar
• ▢ zest from 1 lemon

Instructions 

• 1. To make the watermelon juice, blend 2 cups cubed watermelon in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

  2. To make the chili salt. Combine all the ingredients on a shallow plate. Rim your glass in salt.

  3. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add 1/4 cup watermelon juice, Mezcal, Cointreau, lemon juice, mint/basil, and jalapeño slices. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute. The longer you shake, the spicier it will be.

  4. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with sparkling water, if desired. Garnish as desired with a watermelon wedge and fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Notes

If a Sweeter Drink is Desired: stir in 1-2 teaspoons honey or granulated sugar. 

Orange Liquor: if you don't have orange liquor at home, you can either omit (I often do) or use 2 teaspoons orange zest or a splash of orange juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

Smoky Watermelon Lemon Margarita

4.69 from 22 votes

4

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 300kcal

Print Email

See More HBH on Google

Prep10 minutes mins

Total10 minutes mins

A quick, easy, and refreshing summer margarita...finish with a salty chili lemon rimmed glass, herbs, and a watermelon wedge for that extra special touch!

Save this recipe!

Enter your email and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

Email Post Post

Email *

Save

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 cups cubed watermelon
• ▢ 8 ounces (1 cup) mezcal or silver tequila
• ▢ 4 ounces (1/2 cup) Cointreau , (orange liquor)
• ▢ juice from 2 lemons,  (about 1/2 cup)
• ▢ 1/4 cup fresh basil and or mint leaves, torn
• ▢ 1 jalapeño, sliced
• ▢ 3-4 (12 ounce) cans sparkling water, for topping

CHILI Lemon SALT

• ▢ 1/4 cup flaky sea salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• ▢ 1 pinch granulated sugar
• ▢ zest from 1 lemon

Instructions 

• 1. To make the watermelon juice, blend 2 cups cubed watermelon in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

  2. Combine 2 cups watermelon juice, the Mezcal, Cointreau, lemon juice, mint/basil, and jalapeños in a large pitcher. Stir to combine and chill for 2 hours. The longer the jalapeños sit, the spicier the drink will be. Strain out the jalapeños and discard. Return the drink to the pitcher and chill until ready to serve.

  3. To make the chili salt. Combine all the ingredients on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in salt.

  4. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice. Pour into glasses and top off each glass with sparkling water. Garnish as desired with a watermelon wedge and fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Notes

If a Sweeter Drink is Desired: stir in 2-4 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar. 

Orange Liquor: if you don't have orange liquor at home, you either omit (I often do) or use 2 teaspoons orange zest or a splash of orange juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.