Recipes

Grilled Watermelon Margarita

This unique cocktail blends high heat with cool melon for the ultimate summer drink.

By Jenn Le
Jun 20, 2022
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watermelon margarita
45 Minutes
8 Servings
Medium

Margaritas are already an ideal drink for the summer—bright, citrusy, and refreshing. This vivid pink version courtesy of Jenn Le of La Condesa in Austin, TX starts with grilling the watermelon in our Grill Frying Pan, which caramelizes the fruit and concentrates the watermelon flavor. Then the fruit is blended with aged tequila and served with a spicy Tajín rim instead of the traditional salt.

This cocktail also features a triple dose of citrus—lime, grapefruit, and orange liqueur. Jalisco 1562 orange liqueur can be found in some liquor stores, but if you’re having trouble sourcing it, you can substitute Patron Citronge or any other orange liqueur.

Grilled Watermelon Margarita

This unique cocktail blends high heat with cool melon for the ultimate summer drink.

Jenn Le

45 Minutes
8 Servings
Medium
Ingredients
  • 2 ½ pound piece seedless watermelon (or 1 pound peeled and cubed)
  • 11 limes
  • 1 medium red grapefruit
  • 16 ounces tequila reposado
  • 4 ounces orange liqueur such as Jalisco 1562 Orange Liqueur or Patron Citronge
  • Tajín Clásico or other chili lime seasoning, for garnish
Instructions
    1.

    If desired, use a melon baller to scoop out 8-24 balls from the watermelon and chill, for garnish (this step is totally optional). Using a Chef Knife, slice remaining watermelon into 1”-thick slices. Remove peel and cut into 1” chunks.

    2.

    Heat a Grill Frying Pan on a grill over medium-high until hot, 3–5 minutes. Add watermelon and char lightly, turning occasionally, until caramelized, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let watermelon cool to room temperature, blend in a blender until smooth. Chill until ready to use.

    3.

    Cut 1 lime into 8 wedges. Cut the remaining limes and grapefruit in half and juice, keeping the juices separate. Chill until ready to use.

    4.

    Pour 1 oz. lime juice into an Appetizer Plate. Place 2 Tbsp. Tajín in another small Appetizer Plate. Dip the rim of a Coupe Glass into the lime juice, rotating so ¼” of the outer rim is coated in lime juice. Then dip into the Tajín to coat the outer rim.

    5.

    Combine 2 oz. tequila reposado, 1 oz. watermelon juice, 1 oz. lime juice, ½ oz. grapefruit juice, and ½ oz. orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to combine.

    6.

    Pour in the cocktail and garnish with lime wedge. Drop a watermelon ball into the coupe, or place 2-3 on a cocktail pick and place on the rim, if using.

    7.

    Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a total of 8 cocktails.