Picture this: you’re sitting poolside on a blazing summer afternoon, and nothing sounds better than a refreshing cocktail that captures the essence of summer in a glass. That’s precisely what you’ll get with this Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita copycat recipe. With just three simple ingredients and endless versatility, this drink transforms any ordinary day into a tropical escape. Whether you prefer frozen for that slushy texture or on the rocks for a more traditional approach, this watermelon margarita delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and refreshing flavors that made the original popular. Try this easy copycat recipe today.
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Best Watermelon Margarita Recipe
The secret to this exceptional watermelon margarita lies in the quality of the ingredients and their perfect proportions. Jose Cuervo Especial Silver provides a smooth tequila base without overwhelming bitterness, while the homemade sour mix adds an authentic tartness that balances the natural sweetness of Monin’s watermelon syrup. Unlike artificial watermelon flavors, Monin’s classic version delivers a pure, natural watermelon taste that doesn’t compete with tequila.
Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Cocktail:
- Jose Cuervo Especial Silver Tequila (2 oz) – Provides smooth, herbal flavor without harsh bite
- Sour Mix (2 oz) – Adds essential tartness to balance the sweetness
- Monin Classic Watermelon Syrup (1 oz) – Delivers authentic watermelon flavor and natural sweetness
- Ice – For texture and proper dilution
- Coarse salt – Creates the signature salted rim
- Fresh watermelon slice – Optional garnish for visual appeal
For Homemade Sour Mix (recommended):
- Simple syrup (2 parts) – Provides sweetness and body
- Fresh lemon juice (2 parts) – Adds bright acidity
- Fresh lime juice (1 part) – Contributes citrus complexity
What’s in This Watermelon Margarita Recipe Anyway?
With only three ingredients in this cocktail, now is not the time to save a few bucks with cheaper substitutions. For the best results, follow the recipe as written.
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
Lots of folks have strong opinions when it comes to tequila. Many love the spirit’s flavor but dislike waking up with an aching head the following day. But when consumed responsibly, high-quality tequila is less likely to leave you regretting last night.
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver is just about the perfect tequila for a Watermelon Margarita with its soft herbal flavor, lack of bitterness, and affordable price point.
Sour Mix
Skip the sour mix in the plastic bottle and take things to the next level by opting for something more natural. Your best bet is to spend a few extra minutes to make the mix yourself.
It’s easy. Combine two parts simple syrup with two parts fresh lemon juice and one part fresh lime juice. Stir to combine and store in the fridge for up to a week.
If you don’t have time to make sour mix, try a premium brand like Hella Cocktail Co. or Mary’s Mixers.
Monin Classic Watermelon Syrup
This is the secret ingredient that sets the cocktail apart. After all, who doesn’t love watermelon? Monin brings you a pure, all-natural watermelon flavor with Monin Classic Watermelon Syrup.
Just make sure you’re buying the classic version because Monin also sells standard and concentrated versions.
If you can’t find Classic Watermelon Syrup, you can use the standard version, but be aware it contains some artificial flavoring.
Unfortunately, you should avoid the sugar-free concentrate because its lack of sweetener will not help balance the acidity of the sour mix.
What Am I Going to Do with All that Watermelon Syrup?
Make more Olive Garden Watermelon Margaritas, of course. Or, you could try one of these other non-alcoholic drinks:
- Watermelon Lemonade In a pitcher, mix five cups of cold water, 2 cups of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, with a 3/4 cup of sugar, and two ounces of Monin Classic Watermelon Syrup. Serve ice and with a watermelon slice as a garnish.
- Watermelon Soda Pour an ounce of Classic Watermelon Syrup into a highball glass and top with 7 ounces of seltzer.
- Watermelon Shrub Pour an ounce of Classic Watermelon Syrup and half an ounce of apple cider vinegar into a glass. Stir to combine. Top with seltzer. Serve with a watermelon slice as a garnish.
Tips for Making an Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita
- Prepare a Watermelon Margarita Mix. If you plan to make multiple Margaritas, premixing the sour mix and the classic watermelon syrup will cut down on the time it takes to make each cocktail.
- Make it a Frozen Watermelon Margarita party. Combine 8 ounces of sour mix in a blender, 4 ounces of Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, 3 ounces of Classical Watermelon Syrup, and 2 cups of ice. Blend until slush and serve immediately in margarita glasses garnished with watermelon slices.
Check out more of our fabulous cocktails on YouTube!
How to Make Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita
- Put enough salt on a plate to be about ¼-inch deep.
- Rub a watermelon slice on the rim of a margarita glass or dip the glass in water.
- Dip the wet rim of the margarita glass in the salt.
- Place the sour mix in a blender (for frozen) or glass (for on the rocks).
- Add watermelon syrup.
- Add tequila.
- If frozen, add ice into the blender and puree.
- If on the rocks, stir to combine.
- If on the rocks, fill the salt-rimmed margarita glass with ice.
- Pour the drink into the salt-rimmed margarita glass.
- Garnish with a small slice of watermelon if desired.
Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes!
- Asiago Tortelloni
- Fried Mozzarella
- Gnocchi Soup
- Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo
- Olive Garden Lasagna
- Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
- Steak Alfredo
- Watermelon Sangria
- Rum Punch
More Margarita Recipes
Check out more of my summer cocktail recipes and the best Olive Garden recipes here on CopyKat!
Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- salt
- watermelon slices
- 2 ounces sour mix
- 3/4 ounce Monin Watermelon Syrup
- 1 ounce Jose Cuervo Especial Silver Tequila
- ice
Instructions
- To create a salt rim, pour salt onto a plate until it reaches a depth of 1/4 inch. Rub a watermelon slice on the rim of a margarita glass or dip the glass in water. Dip the wet rim of the margarita glass in the salt.
- Prepare the margarita either as a frozen cocktail or on the rocks. For a frozen margarita, place the sour mix, watermelon syrup, tequila, and 1 cup of ice into a blender and puree. For a margarita on the rocks, fill the salt-rimmed margarita glass with ice. In a separate glass, stir together the sour mix, watermelon syrup, and tequila.
- Pour the mixture into the salt-rimmed margarita glass and garnish with a watermelon slice.
Served this for Labor Day, everyone loved them!
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver is კალონკის ხელოსანი just about the perfect tequila for a Watermelon Margarita with its soft herbal flavor, lack of bitterness, and affordable price point.