It was created by bartender Brian Van Flandern at PDT in New York City in 2009 as part of his “New Classics” series of cocktails. The drink is made with vodka, freshly muddled watermelon, lime juice, simple syrup and mint leaves.
This concoction creates an unexpectedly refreshing combination of sweet watermelon flavor balanced with tartness from the lime and hint of minty herbs on the finish.
Since its introduction over a decade ago, the Watermelon Smash has been embraced by bartenders around the world who have experimented with different variations to create their own signature recipes for this classic summertime refresher.
Whether you make it yourself or order it at your favorite bar or restaurant, you can be sure that a Watermelon Smash will provide that perfect balance between sweet and tangy flavors for an unforgettable taste experience!
Watermelon Smash
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka of your choice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 to 4 chunks seedless watermelon plus extra for garnish
- ¾ ounces simple syrup or agave nectar -
- 2 to 3 fresh mint leaves optional
Instructions
- Put the vodka, lime juice, watermelon and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake vigorously until well combined.
- Strain into a rocks glass over an ice cube or two and stir gently if needed.
- Garnish with additional watermelon chunks and fresh mint leaves (if using).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Glassware
The typical or usual glassware used for Watermelon Smash is a highball glass. The highball glass is tall and slim with straight sides, which allows the bright colors of the drink to stand out.
It also provides enough space to mix in plenty of ice cubes and other ingredients that make this unique cocktail so refreshing. An alternative option could be a hurricane glass, which is slightly wider than a highball but still retains its classic look while providing an ample volume for making drinks like Watermelon Smash.
Flavors
The flavor profile of a Watermelon Smash is made up of bright and fruity flavors. The main ingredients are vodka, fresh watermelon juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and muddled mint leaves.
The vodka gives the drink its spirit-forward base while the sweetness from the watermelon juices balances out with the tartness of fresh lime juice. To bring in some herbal notes to this delicious concoction, freshly muddled mint adds an aromatic finish that will tantalize your taste buds.
When you take a sip of this cocktail, you’ll get hints of sweet from the fruit and syrup followed by smooth tones from the vodka combined with refreshingly tart citrus flavors finishing off with a hint of herbs for added complexity. Together these unique flavors create an unforgettable combination sure to tantalize your taste buds!
3 tips for Making Your Watermelon smash
- Choose a high-quality vodka for the best flavor profile.
- Make sure to muddle, or mash, the watermelon chunks before adding them to the shaker – this will help release their juices and flavors into your drink.
- If using fresh mint leaves, add them in at the end so you don’t bruise them while shaking everything together.
