I paired gin and tonic with Tajin-dusted watermelon to create a Cucumber Watermelon Cocktail that begs a closer look.

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I love when watermelon season starts, it makes me do silly things with gin. My Watermelon Lime Gin and Tonic is a playful twist on a classic, bright and a little cheeky, with a dusting of Tajín that makes each sip pop like summer in your mouth.

It’s the kind of drink that sits between those Boozy Drinks I reach for on a patio and lighter pours like Watermelon Fizz Cocktail, but still has enough swagger to surprise you. I won’t pretend I always nail the balance, sometimes I get carried away, other times it’s perfect, and that’s the fun.

Ingredients

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Watermelon gives juicy sweetness and hydration, little fiber, mostly fast carbs, very refreshing.
Lime adds bright tangy acid, vitamin C, low calories, makes drink pop with citrus bite.
Gin brings botanical aromatics and alcohol heat, no nutrients, it’s flavor forward not sweet.
Tonic gives bitter quinine edge and fizz, lots of sugar in many brands, refreshing.
Simple syrup is pure sweetener, adds smooth sweetness and body, zero nutrition beyond sugar.
Tajín adds salty chili tang, enhances fruit flavors, tiny sodium and spice, taste booster.
Mint gives cooling aroma and freshness, tiny antioxidants, optional but makes sip feel brighter.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz gin

1 1/2 oz fresh watermelon juice (about 1 cup diced watermelon, blended and strained)

3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime or more if you like it tangy)

1/2 oz simple syrup or more if you want it sweeter

3 to 4 oz chilled tonic water

Ice, lots of it

Tajín seasoning for rimming and a light sprinkle (to taste)

Lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Small watermelon wedge or cube for garnish

Fresh mint sprig, optional

How to Make this

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1. Rim a highball or Collins glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge then dip the rim into Tajín, set glass aside.

2. Make the watermelon juice: blend about 1 cup diced watermelon until smooth then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 1 1/2 oz (use a spoon to press the pulp, you’ll get more juice).

3. In a cocktail shaker add 2 oz gin, the 1 1/2 oz watermelon juice, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup and a good handful of ice.

4. Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, you want it really cold and slightly diluted.

5. Fill your rimmed glass with lots of ice (bonus tip: throw in a frozen watermelon cube or two so it stays cold without watering down the drink).

6. Strain the shaken mix over the ice into the glass, try a fine strain if you like it silky smooth.

7. Top with 3 to 4 oz chilled tonic water poured gently (pour over the back of a spoon if you want to keep more fizz), then give one slow stir to combine.

8. Sprinkle a little extra Tajín on top, garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, a small watermelon wedge or cube and a mint sprig if using, taste and add more simple syrup or lime if you want it sweeter or tangier.

Equipment Needed

1. Highball or Collins glass (rimmed with Tajín)
2. Blender or small food processor (for the watermelon)
3. Fine mesh sieve plus a spoon to press the pulp through
4. Cocktail shaker with strainer (or a shaker and separate strainer)
5. Jigger or measuring spoons (for gin, juices and syrup)
6. Long bar spoon or regular spoon (for that gentle stir and back-of-spoon pour trick)
7. Paring knife and cutting board (lime and watermelon prep)
8. Small shallow dish for Tajín to dip the rim in
9. Ice scoop or tongs and an ice container (you want lots of ice and maybe frozen watermelon cubes)

FAQ

Q: How do I get the watermelon juice smooth and not pulpy? A: Blend the watermelon well then press it through a fine mesh sieve with the back of a spoon, that removes most pulp and seeds.

Q: Can I make this non alcoholic? A: Yes, skip the gin and use a botanical non alcoholic spirit or just more tonic and a splash of club soda for fizz.

Q: How long can I store leftover watermelon juice? A: Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge and use within 24 to 48 hours, it loses flavor fast so best fresh.

Q: What if I dont have Tajín? A: Use lime zest plus a pinch of chili powder and salt, or just plain salt if that is all you got.

Q: My drink tastes flat after adding tonic, what happened? A: Tonic loses fizz if it's warm or old. Make sure tonic is very cold and pour gently over ice, not directly into the shaker.

Q: How do I make simple syrup? A: Heat equal parts sugar and water until sugar dissolves, cool before using. For a quicker fix stir sugar into warm watermelon juice to dissolve a bit of sweetness in.

WATERMELON LIME GIN AND TONIC Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Gin: swap for vodka (neutral, same strength), blanco tequila (more grassy/bright), or a nonalcoholic “gin” like Seedlip or Lyre’s if you want a mocktail.
Fresh watermelon juice: use cucumber juice (light and refreshing), strawberry purée (sweeter, more body), or canned coconut water plus a splash of watermelon syrup for a similar sweetness.
Fresh lime juice: use fresh lemon juice (a bit less sharp), yuzu or calamansi if you want something exotic, or bottled lime juice or cordial in a pinch (taste and adjust).
Tonic water: use club soda plus a small splash of tonic concentrate or bitters for the quinine bite, ginger ale for a sweeter, spicier twist, or diet tonic to cut calories.

Pro Tips

– Make the juice ahead and concentrate flavor: blend on low so you dont get a lot of foam, press the pulp through a fine sieve and chill the juice. If you end up with extra pulp, simmer it with a little sugar to make a quick watermelon syrup or shrub you can use later.

– Taste and tweak before you top with tonic: tonic adds bitterness and fizz, so sample the shaken mix first and then add small pinches of simple syrup or more lime till it sings. Dont dump in more sweetener all at once, add a little, taste, then add more.

– Nail the Tajín rim without it falling off: rub the lime, press the rim gently into the Tajín instead of dragging it, then pop the glass in the freezer for a few minutes so the seasoning sets. Also dust a tiny bit on top for contrast, but dont overdo it or it will fight the watermelon.

– Keep the fizz and avoid watering down: chill your tonic and glass, pour the tonic slowly over the back of a spoon to preserve bubbles, and use frozen watermelon cubes if you want cold without fast dilution. If you like a silky drink, double strain the cocktail so theres no bits in the glass.

WATERMELON LIME GIN AND TONIC Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I paired gin and tonic with Tajin-dusted watermelon to create a Cucumber Watermelon Cocktail that begs a closer look.

Servings

servings

Calories

237

kcal

Equipment: 1. Highball or Collins glass (rimmed with Tajín)
2. Blender or small food processor (for the watermelon)
3. Fine mesh sieve plus a spoon to press the pulp through
4. Cocktail shaker with strainer (or a shaker and separate strainer)
5. Jigger or measuring spoons (for gin, juices and syrup)
6. Long bar spoon or regular spoon (for that gentle stir and back-of-spoon pour trick)
7. Paring knife and cutting board (lime and watermelon prep)
8. Small shallow dish for Tajín to dip the rim in
9. Ice scoop or tongs and an ice container (you want lots of ice and maybe frozen watermelon cubes)

Ingredients

2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz fresh watermelon juice (about 1 cup diced watermelon, blended and strained)
3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime or more if you like it tangy)
1/2 oz simple syrup or more if you want it sweeter
3 to 4 oz chilled tonic water
Ice, lots of it
Tajín seasoning for rimming and a light sprinkle (to taste)
Lime wheel or wedge for garnish
Small watermelon wedge or cube for garnish
Fresh mint sprig, optional

Directions

Rim a highball or Collins glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge then dip the rim into Tajín, set glass aside.
Make the watermelon juice: blend about 1 cup diced watermelon until smooth then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 1 1/2 oz (use a spoon to press the pulp, you'll get more juice).
In a cocktail shaker add 2 oz gin, the 1 1/2 oz watermelon juice, 3/4 oz fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup and a good handful of ice.
Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, you want it really cold and slightly diluted.
Fill your rimmed glass with lots of ice (bonus tip: throw in a frozen watermelon cube or two so it stays cold without watering down the drink).
Strain the shaken mix over the ice into the glass, try a fine strain if you like it silky smooth.
Top with 3 to 4 oz chilled tonic water poured gently (pour over the back of a spoon if you want to keep more fizz), then give one slow stir to combine.
Sprinkle a little extra Tajín on top, garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, a small watermelon wedge or cube and a mint sprig if using, taste and add more simple syrup or lime if you want it sweeter or tangier.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.