This refreshing, naturally sweetened Watermelon Cucumber Mint Cocktail is just as delicious as it is healthy! Make a big batch for a relaxing evening with friends.
I made you a draaaaaaank!
Never have I ever posted a recipe with alcohol on the bloggy poo. It’s not that I don’t drink. It’s that I never make drinks at home. Kind of like how I never make ice cream at home. It’s a treat I like to leave to the experts.
But when you’ve got a bottle of Tito’s laying around, a bunch of mint growing right outside, boxes on boxes of Natural Delights medjool dates (remember my trip last year?!) begging to be made into date syrup, and watermelon in high season, you’ve got no other option! I mean clearly cucumber watermelon ice cream wasn’t happening.
I decided to try my hand at date syrup for a wholesome natural sweetener in this cooling cocktail and WOWZA—it’s my new best friend!
I literally just pitted ten dates, soaked them in hot water for a bit, then drained them and whizzed ’em up in the Nutribullet with a cup and a half of water. The result? A smooth, creamy, nutty, caramelicious natural sweetener just begging to meet a stack of pancakes, sweeten up a smoothie, etcetera etcetera. I’m curious to see how it’ll do as a substitute for maple syrup in baking!
If you’ve never made an adult bevvie in the comfort of your own home, don’t be intimidated. I hadn’t either! It’s so worth the teensy bit of extra effort. With naturally sweet watermelon, refreshing cucumber, tart lime, and cooling mint (excuse my obsessive use of descriptors), this cocktail really has it all.
I wrote this recipe to serve two, but I highly advise you double the recipe. And when I say double it, I obviously mean triple it.
- 2 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- ½ medium cucumber, peeled, de-seeded and sliced
- 10-12 leaves fresh mint
- 2 tbsp date syrup
- 2½ tbsp fresh lime juice
- ⅓ cup vodka
- 10 Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted and soaked
- 1½ cups water
- Place pitted dates in a large bowl. Cover with very hot water and set aside for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop watermelon and cucumber.
- To make date syrup, first drain dates. Place dates and 1½ cups clean water in a blender (I used my Nutribullet). Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass jar or Tupperware and set aside.
- Place watermelon, cucumber, mint, and 2 tbsp date syrup in blender. Blend. Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard pulp.
- Add lime juice and vodka to strained juice mixture, stirring to combine.
- Fill glasses with ice and top with cocktail. Garnish with fresh mint.
This post is written in partnership with Natural Delights Medjool Dates. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Hummusapien possible!
Love the idea of using date syrup in a cocktail- genius! We rarely drink liquor so our house is just stocked with wine from Italy and craft beer right now but this gives me a reason to go pick up some vodka!
Dietitian Jess recently posted…5 Quick and Easy Breakfasts (plus a giveaway!)
I was just curious why you drain the soaking water. Wouldn’t it make a more concentrated flavor if you used it?
My guess is that it would water down the other flavors and throw the balance of flavors off. You can always save the water and put it in something else like a smoothie, rice cooking water, salad dressing, lots of things.
Nailed it!
Just so the drink isn’t watered down!
i hardly make adult beverages at home either…but this one sounds ridiculously good!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Chilled Kiwi Cucumber Soup
These sound so refreshing and delicious! And that date syrup? Be still my heart!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Vegan Zucchini ‘Meatballs’
yassss!! Cannot wait to try this, love that you there in a drink recipe!
Caitlyn @SoDamnGood recently posted…The Perfect Morning Smoothie- Coffee and Chocolate
Wow could this cocktail been any lovelier? Doubt it.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Sore Muscles! Should I Workout?
I never make mixed drinks for myself at home either – just wine! But the flavours in this sound fab! I love love love watermelon and mint together.
Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…5 Reasons You Should Cook With Friends
Oh my goodness, I love this cocktail! The mix of ingredients it’s really fantastic, if it wasn’t because it’s too early I will be in the kitchen right now making it hehe, I guess I will have to wait a little bit! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Vegan Recipes recently posted…Kitchen Equipment
Hi Alexis,
I want this NOW! Looks awesome and all that hearts…beautiful pics and you’re making me very thirsty! Can you share some more cocktail recipes? This is great for a romantic drink.
Thanks so much, lady! Try it its so yummy 🙂 and I would love to put more up on the blog!
Really nice pictures of that watermelon-cucumber cocktail. I love watermelon and I so much love cucumbers. The combination of these two fruits is really perfect for summer since they are those fruits who have high water content. If your thirsty and you want something that has taste apart from water. Better have watermelon and cucumber for drinks.
I haven’t really tried making cocktails before and for that I am so greatful that you shared this recipe. By the way, do you think I can use honey syrup for this?