16 Ways to Celebrate Summer's Favorite Fruit

Drink, eat and craft with watermelon — the season's best party fruit.

By: Kayla Kitts

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I spent my childhood summers poolside at my grandparents' home here in Tennessee, and my grandfather's garden came with wheelbarrows and wheelbarrows of fresh watermelon. I would eat that juicy fruit until I was practically sick. Now, I'll simply take it disguised in a cocktail, please! If you mix fruit with liquor it's healthier, right? (I'll just keep telling myself that.)

Celebrate this colorful and luscious summer fruit with our favorite recipes, DIYs and more.

DRINK IT

Hibiscus, Melon + Mint Agua Fresca

Watermelon Hibiscus Mint Aguas Frescas Combine 5 cups watermelon and simple syrup from 4 hibiscus tea bags, 3 sprigs of mint, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Blend until smooth and strain. Add 6 cups water or sparkling water. Serve chilled.

Watermelon Hibiscus Mint Aguas Frescas Combine 5 cups watermelon and simple syrup from 4 hibiscus tea bags, 3 sprigs of mint, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Blend until smooth and strain. Add 6 cups water or sparkling water. Serve chilled.

Get the Recipe

Mellow Melon Margarita

Melon Margarita Wedding Cocktail

Like its name promises, this fruity, tropical style wedding cocktail will leave you refreshed and feeling mellow. This Melon Margarita is garnished with a lime and piece of watermelon.

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Red, White + Blue Sangria

Add Winer

Pour dry white wine over the fruit. Before serving, refrigerate for a couple of hours, allowing the flavors to blend.

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

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Springtime Melon Spritzer

Sweet Melon Springtime Cocktail

This sweet and refreshing cocktail is sure to be a hit at the next springtime get together.

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

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Watermelon Moscow Mule

Watermelon Mule Cocktail

Enjoy the flavors of summer with this cool and refreshing watermelon mule, a twist on the classic Moscow mule.

Photo by: Kayla Kitts

Kayla Kitts

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TAKE A BITE

Tipsy Watermelon Sorbet

Cool down this summer with watermelon sorbet spiked with lime juice and vodka.

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Feta, Mint + Watermelon Bites

Watermelon Mint Skewers

Simple, fresh watermelon and feta appetizers flavored with red wine vinegar and mint pair perfectly with bubbly champagne. Get the recipe.

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Watermelon Cake

This refreshing no-bake “cake” uses watermelon and other seasonal fruit.

Photo by: Photo by Mick Telkamp

Photo by Mick Telkamp

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Grilled Watermelon + Peach Skewers

Grilled Fruit Skewers

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GET CRAFTY

Watermelon Keg

Make a Watermelon Party Keg 00:36

For the best keg party ever, make this easy watermelon keg and cocktail.

Watermelon Doormat

Fresh Watermelon Doormat 03:23

Create a cute and summery watermelon doormat.

Watermelon Beach Bag

Watermelon Beach Bag 02:39

Make your beach trips delicious with a summer-fresh watermelon beach bag.

Dip-Dyed Watermelon Tee

Dip-Dyed Watermelon T-Shirt 05:29

Learn how to make a cute, colorful watermelon t-shirt.

Fruit Centerpieces

Melon Vessels

Bring a play on fresh food to your tabletop surfaces by outfitting melons and pineapples as floral vessels. Choose flowers that fit the vibe and palette of your party, hollow out the center of the melon or pineapple using a kitchen knife, then place a small cylindrical vase inside. Once the flowers are added, the vase becomes completely hidden.

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

Take Your Outdoor Party to the Next Level

GET INSPIRED

Girl's Bedroom Featuring Watermelon Wall Print and Subtle Neon Accents

A watermelon wall print sets a playful tone in this girl's bedroom and is punctuated by neon accents that both add additional liveliness to the room while remaining subtle.

Photo by: Sean Litchfield Photography

Sean Litchfield Photography

Watermelon-Inspired Kids' Room Decor

A wicker chair painted in punchy hot pink and a mint-green table lamp follow the watermelon theme of the wall print and throw pillow.

Photo by: Sean Litchfield Photography

Sean Litchfield Photography

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16 Ways to Celebrate Summer's Favorite Fruit

Related To:

DRINK IT

Hibiscus, Melon + Mint Agua Fresca

Watermelon Hibiscus Mint Aguas Frescas Combine 5 cups watermelon and simple syrup from 4 hibiscus tea bags, 3 sprigs of mint, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Blend until smooth and strain. Add 6 cups water or sparkling water. Serve chilled.

Mellow Melon Margarita

Melon Margarita Wedding Cocktail

Red, White + Blue Sangria

Add Winer

Springtime Melon Spritzer

Sweet Melon Springtime Cocktail

Watermelon Moscow Mule

Watermelon Mule Cocktail

TAKE A BITE

Tipsy Watermelon Sorbet

Tipsy Watermelon Sorbet

Feta, Mint + Watermelon Bites

Watermelon Mint Skewers

Watermelon Cake

Watermelon Cake

Grilled Watermelon + Peach Skewers

Grilled Fruit Skewers

GET CRAFTY

Watermelon Keg

Make a Watermelon Party Keg 00:36

Watermelon Doormat

Fresh Watermelon Doormat 03:23

Watermelon Beach Bag

Watermelon Beach Bag 02:39

Dip-Dyed Watermelon Tee

Dip-Dyed Watermelon T-Shirt 05:29

Fruit Centerpieces

Melon Vessels

GET INSPIRED

Girl's Bedroom Featuring Watermelon Wall Print and Subtle Neon Accents

Watermelon-Inspired Kids' Room Decor