Tequila-Watermelon Punch

By Rosie Schaap

Updated July 9, 2026

  • Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
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5(386)
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To make watermelon purée, put seedless chunks of watermelon in a blender and pulse, then push the purée through a mesh sieve to make it smoother. (Cutting a whole watermelon might make your kitchen look like a Gallagher set, so it’s O.K. to use precut watermelon from a supermarket.)

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Ingredients

  • 3 parts watermelon purée

  • 1 part silver tequila

  • ½ part fresh lime juice

  • Seltzer

  • Sliced jalapeño

  • Coarse sea salt

  • Ice

  • Agave nectar (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

43 grams carbs; 173 calories; 1 gram fat; 2 grams fiber; 1394 milligrams sodium; 3 grams protein; 35 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large pitcher or bowl, stir together the watermelon purée, tequila and lime juice.

  2. Step 2

    To sweeten, adjust with agave nectar.

  3. Step 3

    To serve, pour into glasses over ice, top each glass with seltzer, a pinch of sea salt and slices of jalapeño.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
386 user ratings
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Comments

Ben P

Almost...try this instead:
Step 1: Fill a blender with watermelon chunks. You can spoon out of half a watermelon directly into the blender rather than worrying about getting neat chunks as its all going to be blended soon
Step 2: Add 3/4 cup silver tequila and 1/4 cup Cointreau or other triple-sec
Step 3: Add juice from 1 lime
Step 4: Turn on blender and blend until watermelon is liquefied
Step 5: Add crushed ice to glasses, and serve with thin slice of lime and a pinch of salt

Arlen in WV

I froze the watermelon chunks to make puree. When you add the tequla and lime juice and agave it's like a frozen watermelon margarita. Delicious.

Kirsten H

Cut the watermelon in half and use an ice cream scoop instead of cutting and cubing. 😁

Melissa S

@Judy S That's super interesting. I didn't know you could be allergic to Tequila. I just am not a fan. The Rum sounds good.

Derek

May want to add agave nectar to the ingredients list.

FrenchTurk

This was OK but not great as written: the seltzer made it watery. When we had seconds without the seltzer, it was much tastier. FYI for people who might be as clueless as me, this is essentially a watermelon marguerita.

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