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    Home » Drinks » Batch Cocktails

    Updated: Jun 27, 2022 · Published: Jun 20, 2022 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Watermelon Gin Punch

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Glasses of watermelon punch with fresh watermelon slices.
    Watermelon gin punch in glass with fresh mint.
    Gin punch with fresh mint and ice.
    watermelon gin cocktail in glass with ice and fresh mint for garnish.

    Sweeten up your summer gatherings with this easy Watermelon Gin Punch! Made with fresh watermelon juice, tangy lemon juice, fragrant mint, and your favorite gin, this punch is ready in less than 20 minutes. No need to play bartender with this batch cocktail. It's the perfect, refreshing summer sipper.

    Watermelon Gin punch in low ball glass with ice and fresh watermelon.

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    Raise your hand if you are tired of drinking wine or beer at a party.🙋‍♀️

    I love a good glass of chilled rosé or chardonnay like anyone else, but fun summer cocktails are a great way to jazz up an evening and this Watermelon Gin Punch is the just what happy hour ordered.

    Your friends and family will be smitten with this punch. It's gorgeous, tasty, and screams all things summer.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this cocktail
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Make Watermelon Juice
    • FAQs
    • Expert tips for the best watermelon punch
    • More Batch Cocktails
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this cocktail

    ✘ It's make-ahead. Anything that can be done ahead of time is a win in my book. Prep this the day before and refrigerate until party time.

    ✘ It's unique. A specialty drink instantly elevates any party. It's a great way to personalize a gathering and encourage your friends to try new cocktails.

    ✘ It's self-serve. Set the filled pitcher out with a bucket of ice and some club soda and let guests serve themselves. You can enjoy your guests instead of playing bartender.

    Ingredients

    Lemons, simple syrup, mint, gin and fresh watermelon to make gin punch.

    Ingredient Notes:

    Watermelon juice is nothing more than fresh chunks of watermelon processed in the blender until completely pureed. Straining the pulp is completely optional but does result in a smoother drink.

    Fresh lemon juice is always best for cocktails. Bottled juice contains preservatives that alter the flavor.

    Fresh mint is a must. Luckily, mint grows prolifically (or invasively, depending on how you see it), so plant it in its own pot if you can or it might take over other plants. Large, just-picked bundles are always available at the store or farmer’s market during summer, too. 

    Simple syrup can be purchased at any grocery store, you will find it by the other cocktail mixers. It's super easy (and less expensive) to make your own simple syrup at home.

    Instructions

    This Watermelon Gin Cocktail is easy to make ahead of time.

    Blender with watermelon cubes, juice and juice being strained.

    Add cubed watermelon to the jar of a blender and process until smooth. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the solids.

    Fresh mint leaves being muddled in pitcher.

    Add fresh mint leaves to a large pitcher and gently muddle the leaves to release the oil.

    Hand pouring liquor and juices into pitcher for gin punch.

    Pour the watermelon juice, lemon juice, gin, and simple syrup over the muddled mint and stir.

    Watermelon punch being poured in glass and topped with club soda.

    Fill a low ball glass with ice and pour in gin punch. Top with club soda, stir and garnish with a mint leaf. Serve immediately.

    How to Make Watermelon Juice

    You don't need a fancy juicer to make delicious juice for your watermelon margaritas! A blender or food processor will work perfectly.

    • Cut watermelon into 2-inch chunks until you have about 6 cups worth.
    • Blend watermelon until smooth for about 30 seconds to a minute.
    • Use a fine-mesh sieve and strain juice, using a spoon or a spatula to press pulp and extract as much juice as possible.
    • Be sure to stir watermelon juice before serving as the juice will separate after sitting.
    • Store leftovers in the fridge.

    Tip: Have leftover watermelon? This Watermelon Feta Salad is one of our all-time FAVORITE summer recipes. A little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and with only 4 ingredients, this side dish always disappears!

    Punch in a low ball glass with fresh mint for garnish.

    FAQs

    Can vodka be used instead of gin in this punch?

    Yes! We love the flavor that gin adds, but if gin isn't your thing, vodka is a great substitution.

    Can I make this a nonalcoholic punch?

    It's easy to make this into a tasty mocktail. Simply replace the liquor with sparkling water or club soda and wait to add until right before serving to preserve the bubbles.

    Do I have to strain the watermelon juice?

    Straining the juice is completely optional but it does give the punch a smoother consistency. Whether you strain it or not, be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

    Expert tips for the best watermelon punch

    ✔️ Muddle gently. When mint is muddled too much, it turns bitter. Use light pressure to release the oils from the fresh mint leaves.

    ✔️ Serve with lots of ice. COLD drinks are the best drinks and this Watermelon Gin Cocktail is no exception.

    ✔️ Use fresh ingredients. Fresh juices make the best cocktails. End of story.

    ✔️ Strain the watermelon juice. It's an extra step and takes a few minutes, but the end result of a smooth cocktail is worth it.

    ✔️ Always give the punch a good stir before serving. Watermelon juice naturally separates as it sits.

    ✔️ Wait to add the club soda until right before serving to keep the bubbles fresh.

    Glasses of watermelon punch with pitcher.

    More Batch Cocktails

    Batch cocktails make entertaining a snap. Try some of our favorites.

    • Lowball glass filled with white wine sangria, ice, lime slices and pineapple chunks.
      Tropical White Wine Sangria
    • glass filled with lemonade and fruit slices.
      Rum Sangria Lemonade
    • Two glasses of peach wine slushies garnished with fresh peach slices.
      Peach Wine Slushies
    • low ball glass fille with drink, mint leaves on silver tray.
      Bootlegger Drink

    Need more ideas? Check out all of our Batch Cocktail recipes.

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    watermelon punch in low ball glass.

    Watermelon Gin Punch

    Garnish With Lemon
    Batch cocktails let you spend time with your friends at a party instead of playing bartender. Sweeten up your summer gatherings with Watermelon Gin Punch.
    4.83 from 34 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Batch Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 drinks
    Calories 203 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Glass Pitcher
    • Blendtec Blender
    • Bar Spoon
    • Wooden Muddler

    Ingredients
      

    Fresh watermelon juice:

    • 8 cups cubed watermelon

    Punch:

    • 4 cups fresh watermelon juice
    • 12 fresh mint leaves
    • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½-¾ cup simple syrup
    • 2 cups gin
    • Club Soda

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    Instructions
     

    To make the watermelon juice:

    • Place watermelon cubes in the jar of blender and process until smooth.
      8 cups cubed watermelon
    • Strain watermelon puree through a fine mesh sieve, pushing pulp against sieve with a spatula or back of a large spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard pulp.
    • Refrigerate if not using immediately. Makes approximately 4 cups of watermelon juice. 

    To make Punch:

    • Add mint to a tall pitcher and muddle to release the oils.
      12 fresh mint leaves
    • Pour in watermelon juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and gin. Stir to mix.
      4 cups fresh watermelon juice, 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½-¾ cup simple syrup, 2 cups gin
    • Fill a glass with ice, add punch, and top with club soda.
      Club Soda
    • Stir to combine and garnish with a mint leaf.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes:
    Watermelon juice is nothing more than fresh chunks of watermelon processed in the blender until completely pureed. Straining the pulp is completely optional but does result in a smoother drink.
    Fresh lemon juice is always best for cocktails. Bottled juice contains preservatives that alter the flavor.
    Fresh mint is a must. Luckily, mint grows prolifically (or invasively, depending on how you see it), so plant it in its own pot if you can or it might take over other plants. Large, just-picked bundles are always available at the store or farmer’s market during summer, too. 
    Simple syrup can be purchased at any grocery store by the other cocktail mixers. It is super easy (and less expensive) to make your own simple syrup at home.
    This Watermelon Punch will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
    Simple syrup amount will vary. Start with ½ cup of simple syrup and add additional as needed up to 1 cup total. Most in-season watermelons are sweet enough on their own that you don't need a lot of simple syrup. Add additional simple syrup only if you discover your melon is not as sweet as you thought and you need more syrup to round out the flavor of the cocktail.
    Have leftover watermelon juice? Sip it by itself with a squeeze of lime juice for an amazingly refreshing non-alcoholic drink. It's the perfect thirst-quencher after a long, hot summer day!

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ouncesCalories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 54mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 66IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Watermelon Mojito
    Frozen Rosé »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tina Marie says

      May 14, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      What a way to start the summer out! Thanks for sharing this delicious idea!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 18, 2015 at 10:21 am

        Summer can't come soon enough!

        Reply
    2. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

      May 14, 2015 at 6:48 am

      Definitely going on my list! I would love it if you would link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 18, 2015 at 10:21 am

        It's a keeper, Pam! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    3. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

      May 14, 2015 at 1:44 am

      I can definitely see myself making this watermelon gin punch this upcoming summer. It looks so refreshing and delicious!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 18, 2015 at 10:21 am

        Love that I can make it ahead and have it ready to go!

        Reply
    4. Kelly @ TastingPage says

      May 13, 2015 at 9:08 pm

      This is definitely going to sweeten up my summer. Can't wait to try!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 18, 2015 at 10:22 am

        You won't regret it!

        Reply
    5. Carol at Wild Goose Mama says

      May 13, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      This is WILD. Too good and too refreshing and Too easy. I love it!!!! Perfect for summer.
      I almost feel like planning a party just in order to serve this!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 18, 2015 at 10:22 am

        Definitely party worthy! Thanks, Carol!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »
    4.83 from 34 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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