Watermelon Vodka

Learn how to make watermelon vodka
MAIKA 777 / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Infuse: 120 hrs
Total: 120 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 25 servings
Yield: 750 milliliters

Watermelon and vodka make a perfect pair for summer parties. It's super easy to make your own watermelon vodka at home. All you need is your favorite bottle of vodka, a fresh watermelon, and a week for the infusion. This is a great way to use up leftover watermelon after a summer picnic.

The vodka doesn't have to be the best or the most expensive in your liquor cabinet. Instead, feel free to choose one of the budget-friendly vodkas that have a smooth, clean taste. With the addition of the watermelon, you won't notice the difference or break the bank while experimenting.

Once your watermelon infusion is done, you can use the vodka in a variety of cocktails. For instance, use it to ramp up the flavor of any watermelon cocktail or to give your favorite vodka martinis a melon twist. It can even be used in simple drinks: top a shot of watermelon vodka with ginger ale or lemonade, or both for a refreshing afternoon beverage.

Ingredients

  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle vodka

  • 1 small watermelon, cubed

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a clean, quart-sized infusion jar with a tight seal, place the cubed watermelon.

  3. Pour the vodka over the fruit and shake a few times.

  4. Seal the lid and store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 days. Shake it once or twice a day. Beginning on the third day, test the flavor of the infusion daily.

  5. Once the watermelon flavor is to your taste, strain the watermelon from the vodka. You may need to strain twice or use a cheesecloth to remove all of the fruit and seeds.

  6. Wash the jar and return the flavored vodka to it. Store as you would any other vodka.

  7. Mix the watermelon vodka into cocktails and enjoy.

Tips

  • It's best to cut the rind off the melon to maximize space and flavor. If you end up having less watermelon than you'd like, leave the infusion for a few extra days to strengthen the flavor. 
  • A quart-sized jar will hold almost 950 milliliters. That leaves plenty of room for the fruit and an entire bottle of vodka.
  • While there are many fancy infusion jars available, an old-fashioned Mason jar is often the best choice. They're cheap, have a wide mouth that's easy to work with, and useful for other projects.
  • If you save the original vodka bottle, reuse it for your finished infusion. Clean it out, remove the label, and even create your own custom label.

Recipe Variations

  • Make a melon vodka medley by adding other types of melon to the infusion. Canteloupe, honeydew, or any melon can be added to create your own custom blend. The infusion time should not be any different than with watermelon alone.
  • If you like, add other fruits like mango or berries to the infusion. Herbs like basil and lemongrass are nice flavor pairing options as well. When doing these flavor experiments, begin with a smaller batch and taste it regularly after about 3 days. Once you perfect your custom vodka, then it's time to go big and make a full bottle.
  • Don't be afraid to branch out! This recipe is just as good with white rum or silver tequila. Darker spirits like whiskey will cover up the fruit flavor, but any light liquor is a good option.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
70 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 25
Amount per serving
Calories 70
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 2mg 11%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 23mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)