Sip Like a Star: Ina Garten’s Watermelon Cosmopolitans Recipe

Summer’s sizzling heat meets a refreshing watermelon cosmopolitans recipe that sparkles with vibrant flavor and sophisticated charm.

Ina Garten crafts this cocktail with her elegant touch, blending tart and sweet notes into a delightful libation.

The ruby-red drink catches the light, promising a cool escape from sweltering temperatures.

Cocktail enthusiasts will adore the seamless combination of fresh watermelon juice and classic cosmopolitan ingredients.

Crisp vodka mingles with zesty lime, creating a beverage that dances between fruity and tangy.

Each sip promises a moment of pure, refreshing bliss.

Get ready to shake up your summer entertaining with this show-stopping cocktail that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes into Ina Garten’s Watermelon Cosmopolitans

• Watermelon: Provides sweet, refreshing core flavor with vibrant summer essence, select ripe, deep red watermelon for maximum juiciness.
• Vodka: Delivers smooth, clean alcoholic foundation, choose premium brand for superior cocktail quality.
• Cointreau: Adds sophisticated citrus complexity and balanced sweetness, ensures professional mixology touch.
• Lime Juice: Brings bright, tangy counterpoint to sweet ingredients, use fresh-squeezed for authentic zesty profile.

• Mint Sprig: Creates elegant visual presentation and provides subtle herbal aromatics, select bright green, crisp leaves.
• Ice: Ensures proper chilling and dilution, use filtered water for crystal-clear cubes.

• Martini Glasses: Provides classic cocktail vessel, chilling beforehand enhances overall drinking experience.
• Cocktail Shaker: Enables thorough mixing and perfect temperature blending, stainless steel recommended for professional results.
• Food Mill: Helps extract pure watermelon juice without seeds and pulp, large disk attachment ensures smooth extraction.

Shaker Tools You’ll Need for This Summer Sip

• Cocktail Shaker: Essential for mixing and chilling the drink thoroughly.
• Martini Glasses: Crucial for serving, chilled in the freezer to keep cocktail cold.
• Food Mill: Key tool for extracting pure watermelon juice without seeds or pulp.
• Pitcher: Perfect for combining and blending all liquid ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing watermelon and chopping mint garnish.
• Sharp Knife: Used for dicing watermelon and trimming mint sprigs.
• Measuring Cup: Helps ensure accurate liquid measurements for balanced cocktail.

Mixing Up Cosmopolitans Ina Garten Style

• Frozen Glasses Prep

Stash martini glasses in the freezer to create a frosty, delightful drinking experience that keeps your cocktail super cool.

• Juicy Watermelon Transformation

Crush fresh watermelon through a food mill, extracting pure, vibrant juice while removing unwanted seeds and pulp.

• Cocktail Symphony

Blend watermelon nectar with smooth vodka, zesty Cointreau, and tangy lime juice in a large mixing pitcher, creating a harmonious summer drink.

• Shake and Chill

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour in the magical liquid mixture, and vigorously shake for half a minute to create a perfectly chilled beverage.

• Elegant Finish

Top each glass with a fresh mint sprig, transforming your drink into a stunning, Instagram-worthy cocktail ready to impress your guests.

Flavor Tweaks to Make Watermelon More Vibrant

• Experiment with different melon varieties like honeydew or cantaloupe for unique taste profiles that add exciting twists to the classic cosmopolitan.
• Control the drink's sweetness by adding simple syrup or reducing the amount of Cointreau based on personal preference and flavor balance.
• Replace vodka and Cointreau with sparkling water or ginger ale for a refreshing non-alcoholic alternative that everyone can enjoy.
• Rim glasses with sugar or salt, or add fun watermelon wedge garnishes to make the cocktail more visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
• Batch the watermelon juice and cocktail mixture in advance, storing in the refrigerator for quick entertaining or spontaneous summer gatherings.

Serving These Cosmos Cold and Chic

• Pair with Refreshing Bites: Serve alongside light summer appetizers like caprese skewers, shrimp ceviche, or goat cheese crostini to complement the cocktail's fruity profile.
• Watermelon Wheel Garnish: Create an elegant presentation by cutting thin watermelon wedges and balancing them on the glass rim for a visually stunning and edible decoration.
• Summer Party Platter: Arrange these cosmopolitans on a rustic wooden tray with fresh mint leaves, lime slices, and extra watermelon cubes for a gorgeous cocktail station that encourages guest interaction.
• Sunset Sipping Moment: Design a relaxed outdoor setting with comfortable lounge chairs, soft lighting, and background music to enhance the cocktail's tropical and sophisticated vibe.

Chilling and Storing Leftover Cocktail Mix

• Maximize Enjoyment: Chill martini glasses ahead of time to keep your cocktail frosty and refreshing throughout sipping.
• Store Smartly: Keep watermelon juice in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days before mixing the cocktail.
• Batch Preparation: Mix the entire cocktail base in advance and refrigerate for easy entertaining, adding ice just before serving to maintain crisp flavors.
• Quick Cleanup: Rinse cocktail shaker and tools immediately after use to prevent sticky residue and ensure easy washing.

Luxurious Watermelon Cosmopolitans Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

This refreshing Watermelon Cosmopolitan cocktail celebrates summer’s sweetest moments with a sophisticated twist. Crisp vodka, fresh watermelon juice, and lime create a delightful blend that will cool and delight you on warm evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (600g) watermelon, red, diced
• 6 oz (180 ml) vodka, Grey Goose
• 3 oz (90 ml) Cointreau or triple sec
• 2 oz (60 ml) lime juice, freshly squeezed (about 2 limes)
• 4 mint sprigs, large

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Instructions

1. Chill Glasses: Refrigerate martini glasses for at least 30 minutes to create a frosty exterior that enhances the drinking experience.
2. Juice Preparation: Use a food mill with a large disk to extract pure watermelon juice, carefully removing seeds and fibrous pulp.
3. Cocktail Mixing: Combine watermelon juice, vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice in a large pitcher, stirring to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
4. Shaking Process: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, pour the watermelon mixture, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to chill and integrate the ingredients thoroughly.
5. Serving Technique: Retrieve chilled glasses from the freezer and strain the cocktail evenly, creating a perfectly portioned and refreshing drink.
6. Garnish and Presentation: Crown each martini with a fresh mint sprig, adding an aromatic and visually appealing finishing touch before serving immediately.

Notes

• Chill Glasses Strategically: Refrigerate martini glasses for 30 minutes to create an ultra-frosty surface that keeps cocktails perfectly chilled from first sip to last.
• Select Premium Watermelon: Choose ripe, deep red watermelon with minimal seeds for the most vibrant and natural juice extraction, ensuring maximum flavor intensity.
• Shake with Purpose: Vigorously shake cocktail mixture for exactly 30 seconds to properly integrate ingredients, create optimal temperature, and develop a silky smooth texture.
• Garnish Purposefully: Use fresh mint sprigs not just for decoration, but to add an aromatic layer that complements the watermelon’s sweet profile and elevates the overall drinking experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg