Watermelon Mojito

The most delicious, refreshing, and light cocktail that screams summer! This Watermelon Mojito is refined sugar-free, made with fresh mint and juicy watermelon, and is the perfect cocktail (or ‘mocktail’) to enjoy on a hot day. It’s easy to make with just 5-ingredients, no simple syrup, and no added sugar. The watermelon adds plenty of sweetness to the drink without the need for sugar, but if you prefer you can add a touch of sweetness with honey or agave.

A Better-for-You Cocktail!

This week on the blog we’re sharing four fruity, lightened-up, Better-for-You Cocktail recipes. Cocktails that are made with MUCH less sugar, are refreshing, easy-to-make, and are perfect for sipping on when the sun is shining and the temps are rising!

We’re kicking off the week with this Watermelon Mojito. A sparkling adult-beverage that combines lime juice, fresh mint, juicy watermelon, sparkling water, and white rum. It’s made with just 5-simple ingredients and no added sugar.

Looking for a non-alcoholic option? No problem. If you’d like to make this mojito a ‘mocktail’, simply omit the rum and add an extra splash of sparkling water, or even kombucha could work.

Watermelon Mojito Ingredients

Made with just a few simple ingredients!

• Large watermelon cubes – seedless watermelon works best. For an easy option, use pre-cubed watermelon from the grocery store. 
• Lime juice – a traditional ingredient in mojitos and there’s just something about the combination of lime and watermelon. We suggest freshly squeezed lime juice.
• Honey or agave nectar – an optional ingredient that you can add for a touch of sweetness. If you snagged a watermelon that’s the perfect ripeness, you won’t need to add any sweetener.
• Fresh mint leaves – what makes a mojito a mojito.
• White rum – substitute sparkling water or kombucha for a ‘mocktail’ version.
• Sparkling water – plain or lime flavor.
• Ice

How to make Watermelon Mojito

This recipe comes together fast with just a few simple steps.

First, you’ll blend the watermelon cubes in a blender to create a juice consistency. Now, if the watermelon appears to be pulpy or you prefer removing all particles from the watermelon, feel free to pour the juice through a mesh strainer and into a mason jar or large glass.

Next, add the lime juice and optional sweetener to the watermelon juice give it a stir. Note: because watermelon varies in sweetness, I recommend tasting the juice first before adding any sweeteners. There’s a good chance it will be sweet enough!

Now divide the mint leaves among 2-3 tall glasses. With the end of a wooden spoon (or a muddle) muddle the mint. Ultimately you want to smash the mint leaves until all leaves are darker in color and appear a little wilted. Feel free to add a small squeeze of lime juice during this step as it helps the leaves to break down a little better.

It’s time to make the drink! Fill each glass 3/4 full with ice. Divide the watermelon-lime juice among the 2-3 glasses. Add 1.5 oz. of white rum to each glass. For a ‘mocktail’, use sparkling water or kombucha in place of the rum. Top each glass off with a splash of sparkling water (lime flavor works great!). Stir and enjoy!

Can the watermelon juice be made ahead of time?

I recommend no more than 48 hours in advance. The juice really separates as it sets in the fridge so you’ll want to give it a good stir or shake before making the drinks.

Can I make it with store-bought, pre-made watermelon juice?

You sure could! You’ll need about 1 cup. You could also use GTS Watermelon Wonder Kombucha. I haven’t tried that yet but I think it would be really quite delicious!

Other refreshing cocktail recipes you’ll love

• Real Food Margaritas 
• Cucumber Basil Moscow Mule
• Strawberry Kombucha Mojito 
• Low-Sugar Paloma
• Frozen Pineapple Margaritas
• Raspberry-Peach Rosé Sangria

Hungry for More? Subscribe to get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Let's Get Cookin'

Watermelon Mojito

The most delicious, refreshing and light cocktail that screams summer! This Watermelon Mojito is refined sugar-free, made with fresh mint and juicy watermelon and is the perfect cocktail (or ‘mocktail’) to enjoy on a hot day.

• Author: Stacie Hassing
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 10 min
• Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
• Category: Drink

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 large seedless watermelon cubes or ¾ lb. – 1 lb. (about  1 – 1 ½ cups juice) 
• 2 oz. lime juice or juice of 1 lime (~¼ cup)
• 1 tsp. honey or agave nectar (optional – taste the watermelon juice before adding)
• 15–20 mint leaves (~ ⅓ cup)
• 3–4 ½ oz white rum* (substitute sparkling water or kombucha for a mocktail version)
• sparkling water (regular or lime flavor)
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a blender, add the watermelon cubes. Blend until smooth, achieving a juice consistency.
2. If watermelon juice appears pulpy, pour through a mesh strainer into a mason jar or large glass. This step is optional.
3. To the mason jar or glass with the watermelon juice, add the lime juice and optional sweetener. Stir to combine.
4. Divide the mint leaves among 2-3 tall glass. With the end of a wooden spoon or a muddle, muddle the mint. Essentially you want to smash the mint leaves until all leaves are darker in color and slightly wilted. Feel free to add a small squeeze of lime juice during this step to help the leaves breakdown easier.
5. Fill each glass 3/4 full with ice. Divide the watermelon lime juice among the 2-3 glasses. Add 1.5 oz. of white rum to each glass. For a mocktail, use sparkling water in place of the rum. Top each glass off with a splash of sparkling water (lime flavor works great!).
6. Stir and enjoy!

Notes

To make ahead: Feel free to make the watermelon juice up to 48 hours in advance. Juice will separate so you’ll want to give it a quick stir before making the drinks.

*To make as a mocktail: Omit the rum and replace with sparkling water or kombucha, if desired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/3 of recipe
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g

Pin now, make later!

All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!