Nothing quite says summer like the plethora of fresh fruit juices! During the east coast heat waves, I can be found on rooftops drinking fruity cocktails / mocktails, and this Watermelon Rose Cooler is one of my favorite watermelon drinks! This watermelon cooler is spruced up with a bit of rosewater for a sweet, floral scent and lime juice for just a bit of tang to balance. It takes 5 minutes to make a large batch with fresh watermelon! And for cocktail and wine cooler options? As always, I gotchu! You can add vodka or a sweet white wine to this drink. Just don’t forget my invite in the mail!
Ingredients - Notes and Substitutions
With just four simple ingredients, this cooler is super easy to make at home on a hot summer day!
Watermelon Juice - About half of a small watermelon cubed will make 3-4 cups of watermelon juice after the pulp is strained. Alternatively, you can purchase readymade watermelon juice like WTRMLN WTR from most grocery stores. It should be at the minimum 80% pure fruit juice, with no additives besides simple ingredients like water and lime. Rosewater - Make sure the rosewater is edible, and not meant for skincare. Lemon / lime juice - Either will work, you just need a fresh squeeze for a bit of tang. Water - To dilute the watermelon juice a bit. Omit if you’re using pre-bottled watermelon juice that’s already diluted. Alternatively, use simple syrup if you’d like a sweeter cooler.
For garnish, I recommend dried rose petals, a watermelon wedge to munch on, and fresh sprigs of mint! Additionally, this is a great drink to add supplements like liquid probiotics!
How to make a Watermelon Cooler
Let’s make this cooler together! If you’re starting with fresh watermelon, you’ll want about half of a small watermelon. Cut it into quarters, and remove the fleshy interior (mesocarp) from the rind of the watermelon. Remove any black seeds that you can, but white seeds are fine. Transfer the watermelon to a blender and puree until it’s completely smooth. Then, strain the juice into a pitcher and discard of the extra pulp. Then, add the water, rosewater, and lime juice into the pitcher and give it a stir! That’s it, you’re ready to serve up this cooler!
Serving Instructions
To serve large groups of people, omit the water and add the Watermelon Rose Cooler to a dispenser with ice, mint sprigs, and dried rose petals. Keep a tray of watermelon wedges to the side for guests to munch on. Since watermelons are so high in water content, the pulp may separate and sit on the bottom. If you’re making this recipe ahead or for large groups, be sure to stir every now and it’ll come back together.
Cocktail and Wine Cooler Options
For a watermelon cooler cocktail option, add a ½ cup of vodka to a pitcher. Please drink safely! For a watermelon wine cooler, add a cup of a sweet white wine like riesling into the pitcher.
More Summer Drinks to try
Recipe
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