Watermelon Vodka Slush
A frozen watermelon vodka slush with frozen watermelon, vodka, lime and a touch of mint — sized for every Margaritaville machine.
Jump to recipe ↓Watermelon and vodka is the simplest summer slush there is, and freezing the melon makes it thick without watering it down.
Mint makes it taste even colder.
Watermelon Vodka Slush recipe
Ingredients (3 drinks)
- 4½ oz vodka
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz simple syrup (paid link)
- 2½ cups frozen seedless watermelon cubes
- 6 leaves fresh mint
Plus: a full ice reservoir. Garnish: Watermelon wedge, mint sprig. Glass: Mason jar or highball.
Instructions
- Fill the ice reservoir.
- Add all ingredients to the jar.
- Run the cycle and Blend Only to smooth.
- Garnish with a watermelon wedge.
How much to make in your machine
Every Margaritaville frozen concoction maker is designed around a particular volume of liquid — the shaver portions ice for it. The table scales this recipe to the margarita liquid volume printed in each model’s manual (Key West DM1000 / DM1946 3 × 12 oz drinks: 9.75 fl oz; Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM2000 3 × 12 oz drinks: 13 fl oz; Tahiti DM3000 per 24 oz jar: 8.67 fl oz; Bali DM3500 half chamber: 11 fl oz; Bali DM3500 full chamber: 22 fl oz). Amounts are rounded to the nearest ¼ or ⅓ oz.
| Ingredient | Key West DM1000 / DM19463 × 12 oz drinks | Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM20003 × 12 oz drinks | Tahiti DM3000per 24 oz jar | Bali DM3500half chamber | Bali DM3500full chamber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vodka | 5¼ oz | 7 oz | 4⅔ oz | 5¾ oz | 11⅔ oz |
| fresh lime juice | 2⅓ oz | 3 oz | 2 oz | 2⅔ oz | 5¼ oz |
| simple syrup | 2⅓ oz | 3 oz | 2 oz | 2⅔ oz | 5¼ oz |
| frozen seedless watermelon cubes | 2¾ cups | 3¾ cups | 2½ cups | 3¼ cups | 6½ cups |
| fresh mint | 7 leaves | 9 leaves | 6 leaves | 8 leaves | 15½ leaves |
Scaling is our calculation, not a manufacturer recipe. Fruit- and ice-cream-heavy drinks vary more; adjust with the Shave Only / Blend Only controls. The Key West DM1900 isn’t listed because we haven’t verified its manual yet.
Machine notes for this drink
- This recipe includes fruit. On the Fiji, Tahiti and Bali, choose the Daiquiris (or Smoothies) program so the cycle blends longer; on the Bahamas and Key West, hold Blend Only for a few extra seconds after the automatic cycle if you see chunks. Fruit adds volume, so keep an eye on the jar’s maximum line.
- This batch uses about 8.5 fl oz of liquid for 3 drinks. If your drink comes out watery, the manuals’ first fix is to follow the recipe volumes or manually shave more ice; if it’s too stiff, add liquid and Blend Only.
Why this recipe works
Vodka lets the watermelon flavor lead; lime keeps it from tasting flat.
About vodka slushes
Vodka is the easiest spirit to freeze-blend because it adds alcohol without flavor. That makes the fruit and citrus the stars — use the best juice you can. Keep vodka near a third of the liquid for a slush that holds its shape.
Tips for the best texture
- Freeze watermelon cubes overnight.
- Pinch of salt in the jar.
- Serve in mason jars at barbecues.
- Hollowed watermelon makes a fun serving bowl.
- Never put anything but ice in the ice reservoir, and don’t fill the jar past its maximum line — both are warnings in every manual.
- Too thin? Hold the toggle in Shave Only for a few seconds, then Blend Only to mix it in. Too thick? Add an ounce of liquid and Blend Only.
Serving & make-ahead
Garnish with watermelon wedge, mint sprig and serve in a mason jar or highball. Vodka slushes are a natural for pitchers and parties: mix the juice base in advance and keep the vodka in the freezer so it goes in ice-cold. Mason jars and highball glasses suit the casual style, and a citrus wheel on the rim is all the garnish you need.
Variations
- Watermelon-lime: Use lime vodka.
- Watermelon-basil: Swap mint for basil.
- Spicy: Add jalapeño.
Mocktail swap
Skip vodka; add 4 oz limeade.
Shop the ingredients
- Monin Pure Cane Syrup (simple syrup), 750 ml (paid link)
We link to mixers, syrups and juices only — alcohol isn’t sold through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Fresh melon?
Shave more ice.
Seeds?
Remove black seeds.
Strength?
1½ oz per drink.
How much ice should I put in the machine?
Fill the ice reservoir with ice cubes — the machine shaves the amount it needs for the cycle (dial models size it to the 1, 2 or 3-drink setting). The manuals recommend ice that has been out of the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Will this work in a regular blender?
Yes — add about 1½–2 cups of ice per 12 oz drink and blend until smooth. The texture will be coarser than shaved ice.
Please drink responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Never drink and drive.
