Nothing screams summer more than watermelon. This Tajín Watermelon Margarita uses spice from the tajin rim paired with sweet watermelon juice for an irresistible combination. Perfect for all your summertime gatherings, cookouts, and parties.
4th of July is next week. And with holidays and celebrations come barbeques and get togethers. Enter this drink, a Tajín Watermelon Margarita, a spin on the classic with a few summertime flavors. Last year I did a Strawberry Basil Margarita and it did not disappoint. However, this summer I wanted to incorporate watermelon. It’s quintessential summertime flavors.
As a dietitian I’m often recommending not to have sugary beverages. So yes this entry might seem a bit contradictory. There’s no debating, sugary beverages have been shown to increase your risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. If there was one recommendation I make to people, it IS to remove the sugary beverages. However, if you know me well enough you’ll know what I’m about to say. Inclusion vs exclusion is an important concept to embrace. Saying you’ll never have a sugary beverage is not realistic. At the same time, if sugary beverages are your norm, then maybe we need to take a deeper look at the frequency and quantity consumed. This drink is festive, fun, and celebratory, just what food should be.
Ingredients: Tajín Watermelon Margarita
This Tajín Watermelon Margarita is a perfect spin on the original, using fresh fruit and spice to marry together and create a flavor explosion. Doubt that tajin and watermelon go together? This might be your next go-to drink of the summer.
- Watermelon – Perfect summertime drink coming at you! Not to mention watermelon is the epitome of summertime flavors. While one watermelon is a lot for me to eat, sometimes I’ll freeze the extra to be able to make the watermelon juice OR it’s the perfect way to make some watermelon popsicles. Less food waste as possible in this house!
- Lime Juice – Traditional margaritas are tequila, triple sec (or Cointreau) and lime juice. Lemon juice would be too sour (for me) but in a pinch you could use a little if your limes are super dry and not able to give much juice. Microwave for 20 seconds to help draw the juice out.
- Simple Syrup – Purists will say that a margarita doesn’t need sugar if the tequila is high quality. Using just a tad here doesn’t make it overly sweet, however, it does also depend on your watermelon as well. You can always leave it out and add it after if needed. That’s the beauty of a simple syrup, it mixes up quite easily. Didn’t get around to making it, but I’ve always wanted to infuse my simple syrup and make a jalapeño simple syrup. Adding a little more spice, but not too much!
- Tequila – High quality tequila is what you’re looking for here. While I’m not a big tequila drinker, the key really here is using a high quality one to provide the best flavor. Promise, with the mix of the other flavors here this creates a perfect blend. Not traditional, but a great spin on the original.
- Cointreau – is a type of triple sec, again mixed in to a traditional margarita. Cointreau is an orange liquor that helps balance out the tequila (even if it is high quality, it makes it smoother). If you don’t have Cointreau, you could use Grand Marnier in a pinch, but know that is a tad stronger in flavor. Add just a tad less if using Grand Marnier. And in this recipe, I actually left it out altogether and let the watermelon juice shine through. Again, not a traditional margarita, but my spin on a drink concoction.
How To Make a Tajín Watermelon Margarita
- Make Watermelon Juice: This requires some effort, but completely worth it! Place seedless watermelon cubes or chunks in a blender and turn it on. A personal-sized watermelon (4 to 6 pounds) yields about 4 cups of watermelon juice.
- Strain. For best results, strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer. If you skip this step, you will have to stir your drink once in a while as the solids will settle at the bottom of the glass. For a smoother drink, this is a definite must-step!
- Prepare your glasses: Optional step: chill your glasses in the fridge or freezer for ~15 minutes. Place the tajin in a shallow dish or saucer. Wet the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and dip the glass into the tajín, coating the top edge. I tried to be fancy and made a shape.
- Combine Ingredients in a Cocktail Shaker: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and simple syrup (if using)
- Shake, Strain, and Serve: Shake until frothy, and well chilled, at least 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with watermelon wedge, lime slices, or a jalapeno slice!
Other Drink Recipes
Print
Tajín Watermelon Margarita
Nothing screams summer more than watermelon. This Tajín Watermelon Margarita uses spice from the tajín rim paired with sweet watermelon juice for an irresistible combination. Perfect for all your summertime gatherings, cookouts, and parties.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 6 ounces watermelon juice
- 1 1/2 ounce tequila
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup*, optional
- 1 teaspoon Tajín, for the rim
Instructions
- Make Watermelon Juice: This requires some effort, but completely worth it! Place seedless watermelon cubes or chunks in a blender and turn it on. A personal-sized watermelon (4 to 6 pounds) yields about 4 cups of watermelon juice.
- Strain. For best results, strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer. If you skip this step, you will have to stir your drink once in a while as the solids will settle at the bottom of the glass. For a smoother drink, this is a definite must-step!
- Prepare your glasses: Optional step: chill your glasses in the fridge or freezer for ~15 minutes. Place the tajín in a shallow dish or saucer. Wet the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and dip the glass into the tajin, coating the top edge. I tried to be fancy and made a special design.
- Combine Ingredients in a Cocktail Shaker: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, and simple syrup (if using)
- Shake, Strain, and Serve: Shake until frothy, and well chilled, at least 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with watermelon wedge, lime slices, or a jalapeno slice!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drinks
1 thought on “Tajín Watermelon Margarita”
Perfection on a hot summer day!