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This Spicy Watermelon Margarita Mocktail is everything you want from a summer refresher! It’s naturally sweet without any syrups, a little spicy, and full of authentic margarita flavors without the booze.
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It’s summer and it’s been HOT! While drinking plain water is great, it’s fun to have an elevated, adult drink that won’t leave you dehydrated with a hangover. That’s where this drink comes in!
Not only is it gorgeous–it’s so flavorful and customizable so you can make it how you like it. More spice, less spice, chef's choice!
I'm loving this recipe because...
My absolute favorite thing about this recipe is that it’s sweet without adding sugar. Although it does have a little touch of honey to balance out some of the spice.
A lot of mocktails are glorified sugar bombs, I like my summer drinks to be healthy and hydrating. This mocktail 100% fits! Additionally, it’s elevated and feels more adult than just pouring a cup of juice or sparkling water.
Promise–you’re going to love this recipe!
Here's what you'll need to make it
- For your glass - you’re going to use a silicone brush to apply about an inch of honey on one side of your glass. Then dip the side of your glass into Tajin seasoning.
- Watermelon - because it’s delicious and gives your skin a healthy glow! I’m all about a mocktail that’s going to give you beautiful glowing skin!
- Jalapeno slices - for the spice. You can remove the seeds for less spice, or leave them for more spice. That’s up to you.
- Lime - I like to just use half a lime (skin and all)! This gives you an authentic margarita flavor.
- Honey - to balance out some of the spice in the drink. Just use a little.
- Sea salt - this provides some flavor as well as sodium and other trace minerals–making this mocktail not only delicious but also an electrolyte drink.
- Sparkling water or lime seltzer - for topping.
How to make it
Here's a quick video tutorial if you're a more visual learner! Or scroll down to the recipe card for even more in-depth directions and measurements.
- First let’s talk about your glass, which you should prep first. I really like to use a silicone brush to add about an inch of honey to one side and then sprinkle the Tajin right onto the honey over the sink. Then you don’t need a plate or to dirty an extra bowl.
- After you prep your glass, set it aside and grab a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a wide mouth (this is what I used). Add the diced watermelon, jalapeno slices, and lime. Muddle it up really well.
- Then add the sea salt, honey and ice. Shake it violently–take all that perimenopausal anger out on this mocktail! I mean, yeah, that’s how I do it, but you can just give it a good shake.
- Finally strain it into your prepped glass and top with sparkling water or lime seltzer.
Food pairing suggestions
Obviously tacos and always taco salads! Big fan of this Vegetarian Dorito Taco Salad, or this Fajita Salad.
It’s summer and while we’re drinking all the hydrating, refreshing, healthy mocktails, it’s also way too hot to cook or turn the oven on. If you agree with that then I suggest serving this mocktail with this Tarragon Chicken Salad, this Mason Jar Chickpea Salad, or this Grinder Salad.
Swaps you can do
- Honey - if you don’t want to add any extra sugar or sweetness, you can simply leave the honey out and run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass to season it with the Tajin. It’ll still stick just fine!
- Jalapeno - this is a spicy mocktail, but if you want to be sure that it isn’t too spicy, cut the seeds off your jalapeno slices.
- Lime - you could use lemon, but if you have a grapefruit or an orange that would also be a pretty fantastic swap.
- Soda water or lime seltzer - if you’re sensitive to bubbles you can just use regular flat or mineral water.
What's Tajin and where can I get it?
Tajin is a Mexican seasoning blend made from mild chili peppers, dehydrated lime juice, and salt. It adds a tangy, salty, and ever-so-slightly spicy kick to the rim of your margarita.
I think it really elevates this mocktail, but I only like to use it on one side of the drink. Don't always love to crunch salt with every sip, ya know?
More elevated, functional mocktails
This summer we’re supporting our bodies and our hormones without hangovers. Here are a few more of my elevated popular mocktails that’ll get us there!
My favorite is the Cherry Beauty Sleep Mocktail!
Ingredients
FOR YOUR GLASS
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Tajin seasoning
FOR YOUR MARGARITA
- 1 cup watermelon diced + seeds removed
- 4 jalapeno slices remove the seeds for less spice, leave them for more spice
- ½ lime skin and all!
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 pinch sea salt
- ice just a handful
- sparkling water or lime seltzer for topping
Instructions
PREP YOUR GLASS
- First, prep the glass you plan to drink out of by brushing honey along one side then dip that side into the Tajin seasoning. You can use a plate with the seasoning spread onto it or just sprinkle it onto the honey portion of the glass right over the sink.
- Then fill your glass with ice and set it aside.
MAKE YOUR MARGARITA
- Add the watermelon to a cocktail shaker or a mason jar if you don’t have a cocktail shaker.
- Add the jalapeno slices, and halved lime.
- Muddle it really well.
- Next add the honey and sea salt along with a handful of ice.
- Shake it violently, and then strain it into your glass.
- Top with sparkling water or lime seltzer.
Notes
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