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Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon sangria is a blush-pink summer pitcher drink made with fresh watermelon juice and chilled rosé (or white) wine. Blend-and-strain watermelon creates a lightly silky base, then soak in fruit and serve with sparkling water for a refreshing fizz.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Watermelon base
  • 2 cup fresh watermelon cubed and seeded (set aside for blending)
Pitcher sangria
  • 2 cup fresh watermelon cubed and seeded (added whole after juicing)
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry rosé or white wine
  • 0.5 cup watermelon vodka or plain vodka
  • 0.25 cup triple sec
  • 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
  • 1 lime thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 cup sparkling water or club soda for topping right before serving
  • 4 fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 fine mesh sieve
  • 1 pitcher

Method
 

Make the watermelon juice
  1. Blend 2 cups of fresh watermelon cubes until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to get 1 cup of fresh watermelon juice.
  2. Set the strained watermelon juice aside in the blender or pitcher until ready to mix.
Mix and chill the sangria
  1. Combine the watermelon juice, dry rosé or white wine, watermelon vodka or plain vodka, triple sec, and honey or simple syrup in a large pitcher and stir to combine.
  2. Add the remaining fresh watermelon cubes, thinly sliced lime, and thinly sliced lemon to the pitcher.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow flavors to meld.
Serve
  1. Right before serving, top the pitcher with sparkling water or club soda and stir gently.
  2. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Notes

For the brightest flavor, chill the pitcher until very cold and keep the sparkling water separate until serving so it stays fizzy. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days (keep garnish separate if possible); freezing is not recommended for fruit-in-wine drinks. For a lower-sugar version, use simple syrup-free honey or reduce to 1 tablespoon total and adjust to taste.