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Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade…the refreshing pitcher cocktail we’re all looking for this summer. Fresh watermelon juice and vodka mixed with lemon juice, sweet thyme-infused honey, and topped off with sparkling water for a bit of a fizzy punch. It’s a touch of sweet, balanced with a good lemony kick, and is so refreshing too! Perfect for hot the summer days ahead. Finish this cocktail off with a wedge of watermelon and a sprig of fresh mint. This vodka spiked watermelon lemonade is easy to mix up, uses minimal ingredients, and is oh so very good! The perfect to drink to celebrate the first week of June and the lazy days of summer ahead!

side angled photo of Lemon-Thyme Vodka Watermelon Lemonade

With Memorial Day behind us, and the first day of June just one day away, I’ve officially entered summer mode. It’s time for the return of things like running barefoot through the grass, sipping lemonade, and snacking on cold watermelon all day long. The ideal (midwest) summer day…for me anyway.

Summers in Colorado are very, very different than summers in Ohio. Here we have beautiful mountains, wildflowers, and mild temperatures (where we live anyway). A Cleveland summer is filled with lush green grass, days spent on the lake, and hot-hot humid temperatures. Both versions of summer are so different, but both are just as enjoyable and fun.

An in both locations, lemonade, especially watermelon lemonade, is still a summer essential. No matter what area of the country you live in. It’s just that good and pretty much loved by all.

overhead prep photo of Watermelon

The only way to make watermelon lemonade better?

Add vodka. Stir in a sweet lemon thyme honey syrup plus a sprig of fresh mint too. Then pour it all over finely crushed ice and top with fizzy water. Perfect summer cocktail.

If you couldn’t already tell, I’m pretty excited about this one, it just screams summer. And with everything that’s happened these last few months, and even just within this past week, I’m happy to have such a light-hearted fun drink to share. I know this is only a simple cocktail recipe, but it gives off cool relaxed vibes.

And for me personally, this drink brings back memories of summers spent in Cleveland, just loving life and sipping on lemonade with my brothers…minus the vodka, of course.

side photo of thyme syrup

Here are the details…

This pink vodka watermelon lemonade is simple as can be. First, make some fresh watermelon juice. Just how do you do this you ask? It’s EASY, simply blend up a whole bunch of cubed watermelon, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve.

Once you have the watermelon juice, make sweet lemon thyme-infused honey syrup. It’s an easy mix of water, honey, and lots of fresh thyme. Bring the syrup to a boil, simmer for a few minutes, then remove from the heat. At this point, add the honey syrup to the watermelon juice. Then stir in plenty of fresh mint (I used the petite mint lemon), lemon juice, and a good amount of vodka too.

side angled photo of Lemon-Thyme Vodka Watermelon Lemonade

Make it fancyish…

If you want to go the extra mile, you could rim your glass with a lemon sugar or flaky salt. I went with salt, but lemon sugar would be so good too.

And for the garnishes, I like to add a little wedge of watermelon and fresh thyme, but use what you have on hand. As I’ve mentioned over and over now, I’ve been ordering my flowers and herbs from Gourmet Sweet Botanicals. They’ll last all week and they make recipes just a little bit sweeter…and prettier!

And that’s it, this lemonade is SIMPLE but so GOOD.

I mean, watermelon, lemon, sweet honey, and vodka all together? Plus fizzy sparkling water? Yes, yes, yes, this drink has all the good things that the last Saturday of May is begging for.

side angled photo of Lemon-Thyme Vodka Watermelon Lemonade

Notes…

I want to note that if you prefer to not use any kind of alcohol, you can, of course, simply omit the vodka from the lemonade. You’ll just have good ole lemonade hinted with thyme and mint.

Also, if you have kids, make half the lemonade vodka free. Then just add a good splash of vodka to the other half for yourself. A little for you, a little for them. Delicious either way you serve it up, this drink makes everyone happy! My suggestion…enjoy this vodka lemonade while sitting on the porch watching the sunset. It’s the best way to end a summer night.

PS. I’m giving you directions to make this into a frozen cocktail too…

Enjoy, and have so much fun with this one!!

photo of watermelon cubes

Looking for other vodka cocktails. Some favorites… 

The Hermione Granger Cocktail

Blackberry Champagne Mule

Whipped Coffee White Russian

Lastly, if you make this Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade, 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!

Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 225 kcal

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

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. To make the watermelon juice, blend the watermelon in a blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. 
    2. In a medium pot, bring 1 cup water, the honey, and thyme to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Pour in the watermelon juice. Stir in the mint, lemon juice, and vodka. Chill until cold. If desired, strain out the thyme and mint.
    3. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice. Pour into glasses and top off each glass with sparkling water. Garnish as desired with watermelon and thyme. Enjoy!

Notes

To Make This A Frozen Drink: Strain the watermelon lemonade into a blender. Fill with ice and blend. Pour into chilled glasses. Top with sparkling water, if desired. Enjoy!
To Make This Alcohol-Free: simply omit the vodka from the recipe. No other adjustments need to be made.
To Make Lemon Sugar To Rim The Glass:
  • zest of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
Combine the lemon zest, sugar, and thyme on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in the sugar mix.
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Lemon-Thyme Vodka Watermelon Lemonade | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

    1. Hey Shirley,
      You bet! You can actually adjust the serving size and the list of ingredients will manually adjust for you. I hope you love the recipe. Cheers! xTieghan

  1. I am making this for a 4 day river trip. Should I make the watermelon juice and the syrup and combine in a couple days? Ir could I combine the watermelon juice, syrup and vodka before I leave and serve in a couple days?

    1. Hi Erin,
      I would do the watermelon juice and syrup ahead of time and then mix when you are ready to enjoy. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  2. 5 stars
    We loved this drink both with the vodka and without! For a socially distant party, I served these in individual mason jars for people to keep and I had multiple requests for the recipe! Per Tieghan’s recommendation, I did use a bit over 4 cups of watermelon juice as our grocery store sells it freshly squeezed. Saved me from cleaning extra dishes which was great! It is so summery and would definitely recommend this recipe!

    1. That sounds awesome! I am really glad you all enjoyed this recipe, Maddie! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan

  3. If I wanted to use fresh watermelon juice instead of blending/straining watermelon cubes, how many cups of liquid does 7 cups of watermelon cubes make? Thanks!

    1. Hi Maddie,
      It would be about 4-5 cups. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

    1. Hi Laura,
      Sorry for the confusion, yes it is 3/4 cup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  4. Your recipes are amazing!! The photography is stunning, I’ve never seen food so well done.
    Thanks

  5. 5 stars
    I was wanting to make a watermelon drink for a get together that I was having today, and it really hit the spot! Thanks so much for sharing!