Ginger Watermelon Martini

The Ginger Watermelon Martini captures the essence of a sun-soaked summer day, blending the delicate sweetness of watermelon with tangy fresh ginger and a splash of tart lemon. Vodka provides the perfect neutral base, allowing these flavors to take center stage while adding just the right amount of kick.

Back to Those Memories

For me, watermelon brings back vivid memories of hot summer Saturdays. Grandpa would load us kids into the back of his old pickup, and we’d head to the corner market. Local farmers delivered watermelons by the truckload, packed under heaps of chipped ice and straw to keep them cool in the blazing heat.

On the lot, Grandpa became a watermelon connoisseur, thumping each one with his thumb to listen for the hollow sound of ripeness. When he found a promising candidate, he’d call over the vendor to cut a small plug for tasting—a tradition long gone in today’s “you cut it, you buy it” world.

The Best Watermelon for Your Martini

While seedless watermelons are convenient, they don’t quite match the sweetness of their seeded counterparts. For this martini, try to find a Sultan watermelon, one of the sweetest varieties, boasting an impressive 12.3 on the Brix scale. If Sultan isn’t available, don’t worry—all watermelons clock in at a respectable 8–10% sugar by liquid volume.

Juicing is simple. Cut the fruit away from the rind, mash it thoroughly, and strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove seeds and pulp. The result? A fresh, naturally sweet juice that makes this martini an instant summer classic.

Raise a glass to sun-drenched memories and the timeless joy of watermelon. Cheers!