Sweet watermelon, zesty lime, a splash of vodka (optional), and fizzy seltzer — Watermelon Lime Spritzer gives you a fresh, photogenic spring cocktail that screams warm-weather porch vibes. I make this one when I want something light, festive, and totally vegan — no fuss, all fun.
Hey friend — if you want a crisp, fruity drink that looks like a cocktail bar sent it and tastes like summer in a glass, you’ll love this. I’ll walk you through the full recipe (scaled for 6 servings), the gear you actually need, calorie details, and a bunch of tips so your spritzers come out perfect every time. FYI, this one doubles as a mocktail in a heartbeat — just skip the vodka.
Why this Watermelon Lime Spritzer works
I pick this drink when I need something bright and not-too-heavy. Watermelon brings natural sweetness, lime adds clean acidity, and seltzer keeps things light and bubbly. Vodka? Totally optional — it gives the spritzer a boozy edge but never overwhelms the fruit.
Ever wondered why fresh fruit cocktails taste better than juice-only versions? Freshly blended watermelon preserves subtle aromatics that bottled juices lose. That freshness gives the Watermelon Lime Spritzer a lively, vibrant flavor that holds up even when you pre-batch it for a small party.
Quick Recipe Info
- Recipe name: Watermelon Lime Spritzer (Vegan)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Total time: ~15 minutes (mostly hands-off)
- Calories per serving: ~111 kcal (see full nutrition below)
- Course: Drinks / Cocktail / Mocktail
- Cuisine: American / Spring cocktails
Ingredients (for 6 servings)
- 6 heaping cups chopped watermelon (seedless works best)
- 3 limes (juiced — plus slices for garnish)
- 6 oz vodka (optional; 1 oz per glass)
- 20 oz plain seltzer (approx. 2.5 cups)
- Ice as needed
- Lime slices to garnish
Bold note: This recipe stays 100% vegan — no animal products anywhere. Use plant-based vodka (all vodka is typically vegan) and you’re set.
Equipment you’ll actually use
- High-speed blender (or any powerful blender)
- Nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer (for clear juice)
- Large bowl (to catch juice)
- Citrus juicer (or fork + hand squeeze)
- Measuring cup and jigger (for vodka)
- 6 serving glasses and a stirrer
Pro tip: A nut milk bag gives you silky, pulp-free juice. If you like texture, skip the bag and keep some pulp — both ways taste great.
Full recipe — step-by-step for Watermelon Lime Spritzer
1. Blend the watermelon
Add 6 heaping cups of chopped watermelon to the blender and blend on high until smooth. Work in batches if your blender is small. I always taste a spoonful to make sure the melon tastes juicy and sweet.
2. Strain (for best clarity)
Place a nut milk bag over a large bowl and pour the blended watermelon into the bag. Gently squeeze the liquid out and discard the remaining pulp. You’ll end up with bright, clear watermelon juice — so pretty.
3. Juice the limes
Juice 3 limes and keep the juice ready. Save a few lime slices for garnish.
4. Build each spritzer
In each glass add: 1 oz vodka, 1/4 cup watermelon juice, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Stir to combine. If you skip alcohol, simply increase watermelon juice a bit and you’ve got a refreshing mocktail.
5. Top, ice, and enjoy
Add ice cubes and top with plain seltzer (roughly 3–4 oz per glass depending on desired fizz). Garnish with a lime slice and serve immediately.
Variations & substitutions
- Virgin version: Omit vodka, add extra watermelon juice, or replace vodka with a splash of ginger beer for spice.
- Citrus twist: Add a tablespoon of orange juice for extra dimension.
- Herbal note: Muddle mint or basil at the bottom of the glass before adding liquids for a fresh herbal lift.
- Lower-sugar: Use less watermelon juice and extra seltzer if you want a drier cocktail.
Nutrition (per serving — approximate)
- Calories: 111 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 21 mg
- Potassium: 170 mg
- Vitamin A: 865 IU
- Vitamin C: 12.5 mg
- Calcium: 15 mg
- Iron: 0.4 mg
Note: The calorie estimate includes 1 oz vodka per serving. Skip the vodka and reduce calories to roughly ~80 kcal per glass (mostly from natural fruit sugar). I round numbers to keep things simple.
Still Hungry, Try It Next recipe :-
Non-Alcoholic Vegan Garden Sour Cocktail — Spring Cocktail
Make-ahead & batching tips (party mode)
- Batch the juice: You can blend and strain the watermelon up to 24 hours before serving. Store the juice in the fridge in a sealed pitcher. Add lime juice and vodka just before serving to keep the flavor fresh.
- Keep fizz fresh: Don’t add seltzer until the last minute. Otherwise the drink will go flat faster than you can say “cheers.”
- Pre-measure: For a party of 12, double the recipe and keep watermelon juice chilled; guests can add seltzer to their taste.
Rhetorical Q: Want to impress guests without standing over the bar? Prep the juice early and enjoy the party.
Serving & pairing suggestions
- Pair with light vegan finger foods, like bruschetta, cucumber canapés, or spring rolls.
- Serve with a small bowl of salted roasted nuts or chips for that crunchy contrast.
- This spritzer works beautifully alongside a fresh green salad or light tacos at a spring brunch.
IMO, this drink pairs best with simple, bright flavors — think citrus, herbs, and light textures.
Common Mistake (because life happens)
- Too tart? Add a touch more watermelon juice or a tiny drizzle of agave.
- Too sweet? Add extra lime juice or more seltzer.
- Flat seltzer? Buy fresh bottles or keep cans chilled in ice until service.
- Pulp too much? Re-strain through the nut milk bag or a fine sieve.
Presentation tips (make it photogenic)
- Use clear glasses for a pretty pink-to-clear gradient.
- Add a thin lime wheel on the rim and a small watermelon wedge.
- Serve on a tray with a sprig of mint for a classy look.
- For extra flair, rim glasses with lime and sugar — just press lime and dip into sugar.
Tiny sarcasm (because why not): If your drink doesn’t look insta-worthy, blame the lighting, not your skills.
Sustainability & vegan notes
This recipe remains 100% vegan and uses whole fruit. You can reduce waste by using watermelon pulp in smoothies, popsicles, or freeze it into cubes for future blends. Use recyclable bottles for seltzer and compost the discarded pulp.
You may also like Next recipe
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My Final thoughts — why I keep this in rotation
I make this Watermelon Lime Spritzer when I want a fresh, hydrating drink that’s party-ready but doesn’t weigh me down. It blends the best parts of a cocktail and a mocktail — and the recipe admits zero compromises: it stays light, vegan, and delicious. It also scales easily, so you can whip up 6 servings for a small gathering or halve it for two people.
One last question: Ready to try this at your next brunch? I bet it will disappear fast — and you’ll probably get asked for the recipe.
Watermelon Lime Spritzer (Vegan) — Spring Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Blend the watermelon
- Add 6 heaping cups of chopped watermelon to the blender and blend on high until smooth. Work in batches if your blender is small. I always taste a spoonful to make sure the melon tastes juicy and sweet.
- Strain (for best clarity)
- Place a nut milk bag over a large bowl and pour the blended watermelon into the bag. Gently squeeze the liquid out and discard the remaining pulp. You’ll end up with bright, clear watermelon juice — so pretty.
- Juice the limes
- Juice 3 limes and keep the juice ready. Save a few lime slices for garnish.
- Build each spritzer
- In each glass add: 1 oz vodka, 1/4 cup watermelon juice, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Stir to combine. If you skip alcohol, simply increase watermelon juice a bit and you’ve got a refreshing mocktail.
- Top, ice, and enjoy
- Add ice cubes and top with plain seltzer (roughly 3–4 oz per glass depending on desired fizz). Garnish with a lime slice and serve immediately.
Notes
Common Mistake (because life happens)
- Too tart? Add a touch more watermelon juice or a tiny drizzle of agave.
- Too sweet? Add extra lime juice or more seltzer.
- Flat seltzer? Buy fresh bottles or keep cans chilled in ice until service.
- Pulp too much? Re-strain through the nut milk bag or a fine sieve.
Hi — I’m Rachel. I’m a wife, a mom, and a home cook who believes that food should bring comfort, joy, and compassion to the table. I live with my family — two hungry little foodies who are my most honest recipe testers — and together we’ve built a kitchen culture that’s all about good food that happens to be 100% vegan. I started this blog because I wanted a place to share the recipes that keep our days moving, the dishes that make weeknights feel a little easier, and the meals that become our little family traditions.