When summer heat rises, nothing refreshes like a Watermelon Cucumber Cooler Cocktail.
This vibrant drink combines sweet watermelon with crisp cucumber for a perfect warm-weather beverage.
The Watermelon Cucumber Cooler Cocktail requires just a few simple ingredients: fresh watermelon, cucumber, lime juice, mint, and your choice of vodka or gin.
The natural sweetness of watermelon means you won’t need to add sugar, making this a healthier cocktail option.
This drink works well for backyard barbecues or pool parties.
Its bright red color and fresh garnishes make it as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to sip.
The mocktail version, made without alcohol, pleases guests of all ages.
Watermelon Cucumber Cooler Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Knife and cutting board
- Highball glasses
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh watermelon chunks seeds removed
- 1/2 cucumber peeled and sliced (plus extra slices for garnish)
- 4 oz vodka or gin for a more herbal flavor
- 1 oz lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Mint leaves 8-10 leaves, plus extra for garnish
- Ice cubes
- Club soda or sparkling water
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon salt for rim
- The quality of the watermelon makes a big difference.
Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon puree: Add watermelon chunks to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp.
- Muddle the cucumber: In a cocktail shaker, add cucumber slices and mint leaves.
- Muddle gently to release flavors without making it bitter.
- Mix the cocktail: Add 3 oz of watermelon puree, vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
- Serve: Fill highball glasses with ice.
- Strain the mixture into glasses, filling about 3/4 full.
- Finish: Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with cucumber slices and mint leaves.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
Image | Title | Buy |
---|---|---|
![]() | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
![]() | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
The Watermelon Cucumber Cooler cocktail offers a refreshing taste profile that balances sweetness with crisp vegetal notes.
The watermelon provides a natural sweetness that forms the backbone of this drink.
Cucumber adds a cool, garden-fresh quality that keeps the cocktail from becoming too sweet.
Its subtle earthy notes complement the watermelon perfectly.
Flavor Profile:
- Primary: Sweet watermelon
- Secondary: Fresh cucumber
- Finish: Light citrus notes
The drink presents a beautiful light pink color with green specks from the muddled cucumber.
This visual appeal adds to the overall drinking experience.
When you chill the cocktail properly, it delivers a cooling sensation that makes it ideal for hot summer days.
The temperature enhances both the watermelon and cucumber flavors.
The mouthfeel is light and smooth, with a slight texture from the fresh fruit puree.
It’s not thick or syrupy, but has more body than a typical spritzer.
Mint as a garnish introduces an aromatic element that enhances the overall freshness.
The herb’s scent complements the cucumber notes particularly well.
Substitutes
Don’t have all the ingredients for a Watermelon Cucumber Cooler? You can make simple swaps while keeping the refreshing taste.
Fruit Alternatives:
- Replace watermelon with strawberries or peaches.
- Swap cucumber for celery or jicama.
Liquor Options:
- Use white rum or tequila instead of vodka.
- For a non-alcoholic version, skip the vodka and add extra soda water.
Sweetener Changes:
- Use honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup instead of simple syrup.
- Adjust the amount based on your sweetness preference.
Herb Variations:
- Try basil or rosemary instead of mint.
- Use lemon or grapefruit in place of lime.
For a party, make a big batch in a pitcher. Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need.
These substitutions help you use what you have and accommodate dietary needs.