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Home » Drinks » Cocktails » Mocktails

Watermelon Basil Mocktail

Published: May 10, 2023 · Modified: Jun 9, 2023 by Ali

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This watermelon basil mocktail is a refreshing non alcoholic drink that will be a crowd pleaser this summer. Made with basil simple syrup, fresh watermelon juice, lime and a bit of sparkling water for some fizz.

A watermelon basil mocktail garnished with watermelon chunks and basil leaves.

If you are looking for some other mocktails to try this spring & summer season, try this paloma mocktail, this guava mocktail or this strawberry mojito mocktail.

For another basil-flavored non alcoholic drink, try this strawberry basil mocktail.

For other refreshing watermelon flavored drinks, try this watermelon pineapple smoothie or this banana watermelon smoothie.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Step By Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Light & Refreshing — This watermelon fizz mocktail is a refreshing, thirst-quenching drink that you will want to sip all day by the pool. 
  • Homemade Basil Syrup — This recipe is made with basil simple syrup, infused from fresh basil leaves. This adds much more basil flavor to the drink compared to muddling basil leaves.
  • Large Batch — If you have a whole watermelon, this is an easy mocktail to make in a large batch and serve to a group of friends.

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make the watermelon basil mocktail.
  • Watermelon: Use fresh watermelon. The watermelon can be seedless already, or you can just remove the seeds yourself before blending the watermelon. 
  • Basil: Use fresh basil leaves only. This recipe will not work with dried basil. 
  • Sugar: Sugar is used to make the simple syrup which adds both basil flavoring and sweetness to the mocktail. 
  • Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bit of tartness to balance out the sweetness from the watermelon and the basil simple syrup. 
  • Water: Regular, filtered tap water is used to make the basil syrup.
  • Sparkling Water: Sparkling water gives the mocktail a bit of fizz. You can use regular, unflavored sparkling water. Or, if you can find it, try a watermelon flavored sparkling water for an extra watermelon punch.

Equipment

Here is the equipment you will need to make the watermelon basil mocktail:

  • A small saucepan to make the basil syrup in. 
  • A blender to blend the watermelon chunks in. 
  • A strainer to strain out the watermelon pulp and make fresh watermelon juice. 
  • A cocktail shaker to shake the mocktail in.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Heat the basil, sugar and water on a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. It is ok if the syrup has a very gentle simmer, but don’t let it boil.

A process photo illustrating step 1.

Step 2: Once the sugar has completely dissolved, strain out the basil leaves and let the syrup cool to room temperature before using it.

A process photo illustrating step 2.

Step 3: Add the watermelon chunks to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp.

A process photo illustrating step 3.

Step 4: Add the watermelon juice, basil simple syrup and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a serving glass. Top with the sparkling water.

A process photo illustrating step 4.

Expert Tips

  • Gently press the leaves as they cook. Use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to press the leaves as you make the syrup. This encourages the leaves to release their juices.
  • Store leftover basil syrup in the fridge. This recipe will make a bit of extra basil simple syrup. Allow leftover syrup to cool to room temperature, and then store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Adjust the sweetness. Adjust the sweetness of this mocktail to your liking. To make it sweeter, add in a bit of extra basil syrup. To reduce the sweetness, use less basil syrup or add in extra lime juice.

Recipe FAQs

Can I muddle basil leaves instead of making the basil simple syrup?

Yes. If you prefer, you can muddle basil leaves in the bottom of the cocktail shaker instead of using the basil syrup. This will give you a slightly less sweet mocktail (which some people may prefer). However, the basil flavor may not be quite as strong compared to using the basil syrup.

What other recipes can I use leftover basil syrup in?

This basil simple syrup works well to flavor fruity iced tea or lemonade and can be used in other cocktails, such as this lemon basil martini.

A watermelon basil mocktail on a white marble table.
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📖 Recipe

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A watermelon basil mocktail garnished with watermelon chunks and basil leaves.

Watermelon Basil Mocktail


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 mocktail 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This watermelon basil mocktail is a refreshing non alcoholic drink that will be a crowd pleaser this summer. Made with basil simple syrup, fresh watermelon juice, lime and a bit of sparkling water for some fizz.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Basil Simple Syrup:
    • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup water
  • Watermelon Basil Mocktail:
    • 1 cup seedless watermelon chunks
    • 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
    • ½ oz basil simple syrup
    • 2 oz sparkling water

Instructions

Basil Simple Syrup:

  1. Add the basil leaves, sugar and water to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to a gentle simmer, but don’t let the syrup boil. Continue to heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until the sugar has fully dissolved.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the stove and strain out the basil leaves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature. 

Watermelon Basil Mocktail:

  1. Add the watermelon chunks to a blender and blend until smooth. 
  2. Pass the watermelon chunks through a blender to strain out any pulp. You should be left with about ½ cup of watermelon juice.
  3. Add the watermelon juice, lime juice and basil simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 15 seconds, and strain into a glass filled with ice. 
  4. Top with sparkling water and serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you prefer, you can muddle basil leaves in the bottom of the cocktail shaker instead of using the basil simple syrup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Mocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mocktail
  • Calories: 103
  • Sugar: 23g
  • Sodium: 2mg
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27.6g
  • Fiber: 0.7g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anjali

    July 10, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    This was such a tasty summer drink! I actually made it for my kids so they had something to enjoy while the adults were drinking actual cocktails and they loved it!

    Reply
  2. Amy

    July 10, 2023 at 2:07 pm

    I had half a melon left that I wanted to use up for a fun treat. This was such a good option to stumble upon.

    Reply
  3. Dannii

    July 10, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    This was super refreshing. it went down very well at a BBQ.

    Reply
  4. Jacqueline Debono

    July 10, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    We live on watermelon during the summer and this is my new favourite way to enjoy it. I have lots of basil in the garden so I'll be making this fabulous mocktail all summer long!

    Reply

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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