Watermelon Bacardi Cooler is a refreshing watermelon rum cocktail. Made with fresh watermelon, it’s deliciously vibrant, for the perfect party punch.
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Watermelon Bacardi Cooler – Tipsy summer refreshment in a glass
The heat of the British summer varies from year to year. But when the temperature ramps up, this Watermelon Bacardi Cooler may be just what you need. A simple watermelon rum cocktail, it is heaven in a glass.
Heat or not however, the British love to make the most of the summer months. And being British, we will still insist on shorts and Barbeques, strawberries and ice lollies and cooling cocktails in the garden… rain or shine.
A favourite summer refresher is watermelon. Although not grown in the UK, in summer they are readily available in supermarkets. Their appeal is stark. From the colour and flavour to their sheer ability to quench thirst. This is the fruit that I head for when the weather warms. It simply shouts ‘Summer’… And if you want to get creative, it also works perfectly in a watermelon cucumber feta salad

The inspiration for Watermelon Bacardi Cooler
This Watermelon Bacardi Cooler recipe is inspired by a trip to the States a few years back. Sitting in a small café eating lunch, I ordered a watermelon Margarita on a whim, and was smitten.
Back home, there was a need to recreate the magic. And yes… This cocktail too was intended to be a Margarita. According to my minimal knowledge of cocktails however, a Margarita requires tequila. And I didn’t have any tequila…
Given I still wanted a cocktail with watermelon, I improvised. With Bacardi available, Watermelon rum cocktail it would have to be!

Watermelon Rum Cocktail… and it’s many alternatives!
I confess, the cocktail used for these photos is not my first watermelon cocktail experiment. On returning to the UK, it was enjoyed a few times ahead of the blog shots… Initially with a goodly dose of vodka.
When the vodka ran out, my watermelon rum cocktail was born. Either way, it tastes fab. So, whether you have vodka, white rum or tequila in your cupboard, I suggest you grab a bottle, a watermelon and some lime and whizz up a glass or two whilst the sun is shining.

Is Watermelon Bacardi Cooler easy to make?
As cocktails go, this Watermelon Bacardi punch is really easy to make. Everything simply gets thrown together and whizzed. All you need is a decent liquidiser and some glasses!
It’s that straight forward and the perfect choice to accompany those summer barbeques, garden parties and lazy warm days.
If you have kids who want to join the party, just whip up a non-alcoholic version with a little lemon or limeade in place of the Bacardi… And perhaps throw a couple of strawberries in for good measure.

Made my watermelon rum punch?
I’d love to hear what you think of my Watermelon Bacardi Cooler… So please leave a comment below, star rate the recipe or tag me on social media with your summer pics (links at the top of the page). If you fancy an iced version, we also have a Watermelon Mojito Granita on the blog, which is another perfect summer refreshment.
And don’t forget to subscribe to Gluten Free Alchemist for all our latest recipes and to visit our recipe index for lots of other gluten free inspiration. Enjoy.


Watermelon Bacardi Cooler
Key equipment
- sharp knife
- cocktail glasses
Ingredients
- ½ baby watermelon flesh – deseeded if necessary
- 1 lime juice only
- 2 tsp maple syrup approx – to taste
- 100 ml Bacardi (or Vodka) 2 to 3 shots approx measure – dependent on how strong you want your cocktail
- crushed ice
- extra lime slices/watermelon/mint to decorate
Instructions
- Remove the watermelon flesh from the watermelon.
- Put the watermelon flesh, lime juice, maple syrup, and alcohol into a blender and pulse until smooth.
- Half fill (approx) each cocktail glass with crushed ice and then top with watermelon cocktail.
- Add an extra slice of lime/cubes of watermelon/mint leaves to decorate.
- Sit in the sun and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
© 2019-2023 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist
This looks amazing! Have to make these for my watermelon loving boyfriend this summer.
So refreshing <3 Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday this week
Thank you Zeba. You’re so welcome.
Thanks for sharing, this looks a really lovely drink to have in this weather, we are having at the moment 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Thank you NIc.
It’s gorgeously refreshing and a little bit ‘naughty’ xx
Yep, I could happily sip on one of these!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!! I whizzed up something similar recently with prosecco and it was to die for!!! Thanks again for hooking up with this month's Simple and in Season 🙂
Ooooh Yum! I can imagine how good it would be with prosecco. I'll add that to my plans for the weekend!
This looks like the perfect refreshing drink for the hot weather at the moment! It's such a gorgeous bright colour too.
Thanks Kat. I love the colour too! x
Ooh, I need one of these this evening! Sounds so refreshing and reminds me of my cruise ship days! #freefromfridays
Thanks Emma
Woohoo Kate, that is possibly the best sounding cocktail I've come across yet. I adore watermelons and they really are the best thirst quenchers. It may not have been as hot as you'd have liked on Saturday, but it sure is hot today and I could do with a whole line up of these. What a totally gorgeous colour.
Thanks Choclette. That's high praise. But I have to agree, watermelons are amazingly refreshing and so I thoroughly recommend plenty of these in the heat!
Wow wow wowsers! This sounds A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I want one now (it's after 11am – that's ok, right?) I love that you were totally addicted to watermelon in pregnancy – what a fab thing to be addicted to. I had absolutely no cravings whatsoever in pregnancy (well apart from food in general!) but I had lots of food aversions – couldn't stand the sight of peanut butter for instance! And anything even slightly gone off was bleurgh – even 2 day old bread with absolutely no mould on it. Just yuk. Thankfully I'm ok with the bread now but peanut butter I'm still not keen on 🙁 So pinning this recipe! Eb x
Ha ha! Thanks Eb. It's fine to want one in the morning! I had two for an early lunch….. for photographic purposes of course (the light was better then)!
The watermelon addiction was amazingly healthy but very weird…. I have never met anyone else with that one. x
YES PLEASE!! I would love this drink, it sounds both refreshing and hydrating. Perfect for a summers afternoon in the sun! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thanks Kirsty…. that is the perfect description….. it was both for sure! x
The perfect cocktail for these fab days of heat. I actually cannot believe summer is here finally. I was desperate for some heat and sunshine!
I love your photos and presentation.
Awww thanks Alida! It was so refreshing and very photogenic. Glad I managed to make it in time for the hot weather. I too have been desperate for a good dose of warmth!
sounds lovely – I am unlikely to have one with alcohol but mint and watermelon often have me scratching my head about how to use them up in summer so I will bookmark this to mocktailize when summer rolls around – glad you made the most of the heat in style!
Thanks Johanna. This would be perfect with a dash of lemonade….. No need for alcohol if you don't fancy it!
How delicious does that look, we love watermelon juice and I love a cocktail!
Thanks Vicki. Sounds right up your street then!
This looks so lovely & refreshing! A perfect Summer Cocktail 🙂 I'm looking forward to trying it, Pinned!!
Thanks Angela x
I'll take two please! Haha. This looks aaaa-mazing!
Thanks Tiffany! Why stop at two???!!! x