Watermelon Syrup

Watermelon flavor rings loud and clear in this incredibly quick and easy Watermelon Syrup. Ready for pouring in less than 20 minutes, this fruity simple syrup is absolutely amazing for adding sweet, refreshing watermelon flavor to cocktails, beverages, or dessert as a topping!

Did you know I dabbled as a pro mixologist and created menus for bars/restaurants? Thanks to this simple syrup recipe, my watermelon margarita is still one of our local restaurant owner's all-time favorite cocktails alongside the watermelon martini.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe delivers major watermelon vibes for cocktails, desserts, and more in a fraction of the time. Fresh watermelon juice is beyond easy to extract and perfectly refreshing and delicious.

We've been hearing a lot of buzz lately about no-heat simple syrup. This method takes longer than necessary for what we believe is the same result. Simple syrup is best made on the stovetop, and it literally takes 1 minute of prep time and a maximum of 8 minutes over heat.

You'll knock out your watermelon juice prep as the simple syrup cools. The watermelon never comes into contact with heat, preserving its bright, fresh flavor and pure watermelon essence.

Ingredients

• Sugar | Granulated sugar, one of the two ingredients in this recipe, keeps the watermelon flavor profile clean and vibrant. Do not use brown sugar for this recipe! However, if you love the taste of brown sugar in your beverages, I can't say enough about our brown sugar simple syrup. It's the staple for my daily coffee!
• Watermelon | Grab a small seedless watermelon and use ½ for this recipe, cubed.
• Salt | Salt enhances flavor profiles, so for that watermelon flavor to really shine, don't skip this ingredient. The house rule around here is, "Where there's sugar, there should always be salt!"

Delicious Additions

Like it spicy? Add thinly sliced jalapeno to your watermelon syrup. It is so good in our spicy margs!

Fresh basil is also an amazing add-in to a simple syrup like this for an aromatic touch. (Our strawberry basil cocktail is the best place to start if you have never experienced this fresh herb in a beverage.)

If you're looking to craft a refreshing cocktail, mint leaves will do wonders! Mojitos, anyone?

How to Make Watermelon Syrup

Watermelon syrup may seem like you've got quite the task ahead because of all those pesky steps, but rest assured, it is extremely easy to make and well worth all 15 minutes!

This recipe yields 3 cups of watermelon simple syrup. If you aren't making cocktails for a crowd, feel free to cut the recipe in half!

This cocktail pitcher formula will yield 8-10 cocktails total. 

Make the Syrup | Water and sugar come together in a saucepan and are boiled to create a "syrup." However, note that the mix is not meant to be boiled until it reaches the consistency of pancake syrup.

You only need the sugar to dissolve into the water, which should happen almost immediately after the water has reached a full boil. 

Combine Water + Sugar + Salt | Combine water, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat and allow it to boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove it from the heat, set the mixture aside, and begin making your watermelon juice!

Cube Watermelon | Cut the watermelon into cubes so that it fits into your blender and can be easily puréed. The easiest way to do this is to cut the small watermelon in half, lay it flat, flesh-side down, and then cut the half into 1" slices.

After the watermelon has been sliced, cut the rind away, lay the slice down, and cut it into 1" cubes. Repeat until you've got a blender full!

Purée | Next, place the lid on the blender and blend until it has reached a puréed consistency and is completely liquified.

Strain | Remove the pulp so that only smooth-sipping watermelon juice remains! To do this, place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or large measuring pitcher and run the contents of the blender through it. If you'd like, you can use a whisk to hurry along the mixture.

Combine Simple Syrup + Watermelon | Combine all of the simple syrup with 2 cups of strained watermelon juice and stir!

Serve! | And there you have it: homemade watermelon syrup absolutely perfect for whipping up your new favorite watermelon cocktails!

Ways to Use Watermelon Syrup

• Cocktails | Tequila, vodka, or rum are good libations for watermelon. Liqueurs like Grand Marnier, Chambord, Creme de Cassis, or St. Germaine also pair nicely. You can't beat the combo of fresh lime juice and watermelon for fresh citrus, but lemon works well in a pinch. 
• Beverages | Use this watermelon syrup to flavor iced teas or add to sparkling water for a fruity boost. Having a homemade syrup bar that features this watermelon syrup with our strawberry syrup makes a great lineup for summer drinks!
• Sweets Topper | Pour it over vanilla ice cream for major summertime vibes. It can also be used to moisten cake layers! Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.

How to Store It

Store | Watermelon syrup will stay good refrigerated for up to 4-5 days. My favorite way to store it is in a liter-sized glass swing bottle, but a large mason jar or any airtight, spill-proof container will work.

Freeze | If you'd like to enjoy it beyond the recommended 5-day time frame, freeze it! To freeze watermelon syrup, add the watermelon syrup to a freezer-safe, zip-top bag, seal it, and transfer it to the freezer.

Thaw | To thaw, lay it on a rimmed baking sheet or another storage vessel to catch spills (just in case), place it in the refrigerator overnight, and enjoy the next day!