Watermelon Mojito Recipe and 3 Mixology Tips

A Watermelon Mojito is a variation on a classic Mojito, a highball cocktail with origins in Cuba. The drink’s core components are light or dark rum, lime juice, and mint, accented by watermelon juice or muddled fresh watermelon. If you’re new to this drink, learn how to make a Mojito the traditional way.

Like a Watermelon Margarita made with tequila, a Watermelon Mojito is one of the easiest cocktail recipes to assemble in a large pitcher for groups.

Rum cocktails are perfect summer drinks, easily diluted or transformed with a splash of fizzy soda water. Here’s what else to know.

1. 1. Choose juice or fresh fruit. Store-bought watermelon juice has a deep, musky flavor and a more concentrated flavor than its fresh counterpart. Depending on your preference, you can gently muddle fresh-cut seedless watermelon or purée the fruit in a food processor first for a slushy consistency. Pass the watermelon purée through a fine-mesh sieve for a more subtle effect.
   
2. 2. Use a light rum. Mojitos can feature anything from light to spiced or dark rum. Use a light rum for watermelon mojitos, which won’t overpower the fruit’s more subtle characteristics and mild sweetness. Learn more about the different types of rum.
3. 3. Add spices. To add dimension and complexity to a basic watermelon mojito, consider a pinch of chili powder or tart sumac—the acidity and heat will accentuate the fruit’s natural sweetness, making the drink taste more intensely of watermelon.