Food and Recipes Drinks Cocktails Watermelon 75 4.7 (3) 3 Reviews A watermelon spin on the classic French 75 embraces summer's sweetest fruit. By Elizabeth Nelson Elizabeth Nelson Elizabeth Nelson is a professional recipe developer, writer, and recipe editor with over 10 years of experience. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on July 18, 2024 Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Servings: 1 Jump to recipe Just as refreshing as the original French 75, a Watermelon 75 is a perfect summery spin on one of our favorite Champagne-based cocktails. It's lightly sweet, and the bubbles make it festive and fun. Use a mild gin that isn't too juniper forward to avoid overwhelming the flavor of the watermelon juice. Ingredients in a Watermelon 75 Watermelon adds sweetness and fruit flavor to the gin and Champagne cocktail. Here's the full ingredient list; precise measurements are further below: Watermelon: Making your own watermelon juice is easy, even if you don't have a juicer. Just blend the watermelon in a blender or food processor until smooth, and then strain through a fine mesh strainer. Some grocery stores will also carry fresh watermelon juice, but look for a juice that hasn't been sweetened. Ice: For the cocktail shaker. Gin: Use your favorite! We recommend choosing a gin without a lot of juniper flavor, like Bombay Sapphire or Hendricks, so it won't overwhelm the watermelon flavor, but any gin you prefer will work. Fresh lemon juice: Adds a little tart flavor to balance out the sweetness of the watermelon and simple syrup. Simple syrup: This is easy to make yourself, but most grocery stores will carry an option with the cocktail mixers if you’re in a rush. Champagne or other sparkling wine: Traditionally, a French 75 is made with Champagne. (Truthfully, any dry sparkling wine should work.) Cava can be a budget-friendly option that is made with the same method used for Champagne. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox How To Make a Watermelon 75 This cocktail is easy to make in a few simple steps: Step 1: Prepare the watermelon juice (and simple syrup, if you're making it yourself). The juice will be best on the day it's made, but you can make it 24 hours in advance. The recipe below makes more than you will need for a single cocktail, but any leftover can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sparkling water and a little lime juice for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink.Step 2: Combine the watermelon juice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold.Step 3: Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute or coupe. Top with Champagne and enjoy immediately. More Watermelon Cocktails Can't get enough watermelon drinks? Try a few of our other favorites before summer watermelon is gone for the season. Watermelon Sangria Watermelon Daiquiri Watermelon Margaritas Watermelon Frosé Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 2 cups cubed watermelon Ice 3 Tbsp. (1 1/2 oz.) gin 1 Tbsp. (1/2 oz.) fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. (1/2 oz.) simple syrup 1/4 cup (2 oz.) Champagne or other dry sparkling wine Fresh watermelon slice, for garnish Directions Make watermelon juice: To make watermelon juice, place cubed watermelon in a blender. Blend until smooth, about 10-15 seconds. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Strain through a fine mesh strainer, discarding solids. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add ingredients to shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) watermelon juice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Fill glass with juice: Strain into a chilled Champagne flute or coupe. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add Champagne: Top with Champagne and serve immediately. Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Rate It Print