This Watermelon Mojito Recipe is a refreshing non-alcoholic summer drink made with juicy watermelon, fresh mint, lime, sugar, and Sprite or sparkling water. It is fizzy, fruity, and easy to make in just a few minutes.
To make this Watermelon Mojito Recipe, muddle fresh watermelon with mint, lime, and sugar in a glass. Add ice, then top with chilled Sprite or sparkling water and serve immediately.
This watermelon mojito mocktail is bright, bubbly, and perfect for hot summer days. Sweet watermelon keeps it fruity, fresh mint makes it cooling, and lime adds the tangy mojito flavor. Use Sprite for a sweeter drink or sparkling water for a lighter version. For a fresh summer spread, serve this Watermelon Mojito with Watermelon-Feta Salad. The salty feta, crisp cucumber, and mint pair beautifully with the sweet, fizzy drink.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Mojito
- Ready in about 10 minutes.
- Made with simple summer ingredients.
- Refreshing, fizzy, and naturally fruity.
- Easy to make with Sprite or sparkling water.
- Perfect for parties, barbecues, and warm afternoons.
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced seedless watermelon (450 g), chilled
- 1 lemon, sliced, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
- 10 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 g)
- 1 1/2 cups Sprite or lemon-lime soda (360 ml), chilled
- Ice cubes, as needed
- 1 small pinch salt, optional
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Use ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor. Choose a watermelon that feels heavy for its size, has a creamy yellow field spot, and makes a deep hollow sound when tapped. For more helpful tips, see The Kitchn’s guide to picking a ripe watermelon.
Lime works better than lemon here because it gives the drink a fresher mojito-style flavor.
Use Sprite or another lemon-lime soda for a sweeter drink. For a less sweet version, use sparkling water or club soda and keep the full tablespoon of sugar.
Fresh mint is important. Do not skip it because it gives the drink its classic mojito flavor. For another cool drink with fresh mint and bright citrus, try this Fresh Cucumber Lemonade with Mint. Its crisp cucumber flavor makes it another refreshing choice for hot summer days.
Salt is optional. Add only a very tiny pinch if using sparkling water, as it can bring out the sweetness of the watermelon.
How to Make Watermelon Mojito
- Cut the watermelon into small cubes and remove any visible seeds.
- Divide the watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice, lime slices, and sugar between two tall glasses.
- Use a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to gently press the watermelon and mint together. Press lightly and give the mint only a few gentle twists rather than crushing or shredding it. Over-muddling mint can release bitter flavors into the drink. See Serious Eats’ guide to muddling mint for more helpful tips.
- Fill each glass with ice cubes.
- Pour Sprite or sparkling water over the ice.
- Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
- Garnish with extra watermelon, mint leaves, and a lime slice.
- Serve immediately while the drink is cold and fizzy.
Expert Tips for the Best Watermelon Mojito
- Use chilled watermelon so the drink stays cold longer.
- Remove black seeds before muddling the watermelon.
- Muddle the mint gently to avoid a bitter flavor.
- Use Sprite for a sweeter mocktail.
- Use sparkling water for a lighter drink.
- Add the soda only right before serving.
- Do not prepare the finished drink too early because the bubbles will disappear.
- Freeze watermelon cubes and use them instead of regular ice for extra flavor without watering down the drink. Arrange the cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. See The Kitchn’s melon ice cube guide for the easy method.
Storage and Freezing
This watermelon mojito is best served immediately.
You can prepare the muddled watermelon, mint, lime, and sugar mixture up to 1 day ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator, then add ice and soda just before serving.
Do not freeze the finished drink. You can freeze watermelon cubes for up to 1 month and use them as flavored ice cubes.
Can I Make This Watermelon Mojito in a Pitcher?
Yes. To make a pitcher, muddle the watermelon, mint, lime, and sugar together first, then refrigerate the mixture until ready to serve. Add the Sprite or sparkling water just before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
Variations
Sparkling Water Watermelon Mojito
Use sparkling water instead of Sprite and add the full tablespoon of sugar.
Frozen Watermelon Mojito
Blend frozen watermelon cubes with lime juice, mint, sugar, and a small splash of sparkling water.
Strawberry Watermelon Mojito
Add a few sliced strawberries before muddling.
Berry Watermelon Mojito
Add blueberries or raspberries for extra color and flavor.
Watermelon Rum Mojito
Add 1½ ounces white rum (45 ml) to each glass before adding the soda. For a traditional mint, lime, and rum drink, try The Best Classic Mojito.
Watermelon Mojito Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the watermelon into small cubes and remove any visible black seeds.
- Divide watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice, lime slices, and sugar between two tall glasses.
- Gently muddle the ingredients using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon.
- Fill both glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour chilled Sprite or sparkling water over the ice.
- Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
- Garnish with fresh mint, watermelon cubes, and lime slices.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use Sprite for a sweeter drink.
- For a lighter version, use sparkling water or club soda and add an extra teaspoon of sugar if needed.
- For an alcoholic version, add 1 1/2 ounces white rum (45 ml) to each glass before adding soda.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but lime gives the drink a fresher and more classic mojito flavor.
Yes. Add a little extra sugar because soda water is not sweet.
No. This recipe is a non-alcoholic watermelon mojito mocktail.
Yes. Muddle the watermelon, mint, lime, and sugar in a pitcher. Add ice and soda just before serving.
Yes. Frozen watermelon works especially well for a slushy version.
Add the Sprite or sparkling water at the very end and serve straight away.
Yes. This recipe is a watermelon mojito mocktail, so it is made without rum. It still has the fresh mojito flavor from watermelon, mint, lime, and fizzy soda.
Sprite or lemon-lime soda makes the drink sweeter and more party-friendly. Sparkling water or club soda works better if you want a lighter, less sweet watermelon mojito.
More Summer Drink Recipes You’ll Love
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
