Watermelon Sangria

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Turn the season's sweetest fruit into a seriously sippable sangria.

Southern Living Watermelon Sangria in glasses to serve garnished with watermelon wedges, mint leaves, and lime wheels
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Yield:
1 large pitcher

Cool, fresh watermelon is summer's quintessential treat. This watermelon sangria highlights it perfectly with hints of tart lime and smooth mint. Plus, it makes a large pitcher, enough to thrill any crowd.

The sangria earns its gorgeous pink color from a combination of fresh watermelon juice, rosé, and rosé Champagne. St. Germain elderflower liquor adds a luscious floral sweetness to the sangria, complementing the fresh, herbaceous flavors of mint and lime.

This watermelon sangria gets a blush-colored upgrade with a mix of both still and sparkling rosé wines. It's the ideal drink to sip by the pool, on the porch, or at the beach. It can be served in highball glasses or, for an extra Southern touch, in mason jars.

Adorn with patterned pink paper straws to match the drink's festive color. Be sure to serve this sangria with a plate of freshly sliced watermelon (and maybe even try your watermelon salted).

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cubed watermelon

  • 1 bottle Rosé

  • 1/2 cup St. Germain (elderflower liquor)

  • Zest of 2 limes

  • 1 bottle Rosé Champagne, chilled

  • Fresh mint, lime wheels, and sliced watermelon for garnish

Directions

  1. Prepare watermelon juice and gather ingredients:

    To make watermelon juice, blend two cups of cubed watermelon in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.

    Gather the rest of your ingredients.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Mix sangria:

    Combine bottle of Rosé, St. Germain, watermelon juice, and zest into a large pitcher, chill until ready to serve.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria mixing together the drink ingredients in a pitcher

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    When ready to serve, add bottle of Champagne to the pitcher and stir.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria stirring in the sparkling wine

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Fill highball glasses with ice.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria filling the glasses with ice

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Pour sangria over the ice.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria pouring the sangria into the glasses

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Garnish with mint, limes, and watermelon slices.

    Southern Living Watermelon Sangria garnished with the watermelon and fresh mint

    Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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