How to Make Vodka Watermelon - Everything You Need to Know Guide!

I wanted to make a vodka watermelon. Some people call it infuse a watermelon. Some people charge a watermelon.

Whatever you it call it, it is the same thing. A 21 years and older watermelon filled with booze with a 50-50 chance of either coming out perfect or not infusing at all.

I’m not trying to scare you out of a spiked vodka watermelon recipe. I’m letting you know up front, if your vodka watermelon didn’t work, keep reading this post to learn how to fix a drunken watermelon that won't absorb vodka on the first go round.

How to Soak a Drunken Watermelon With Vodka 

 Pin this recipe for your next party!

You will need:

Watermelon – Some folks swear you need to use a seedless watermelon. Others say to use a watermelon with seeds because they leave air pockets for the vodka to fill. Let what’s available be your guide.


1 cup to 12 ounces of Vodka – How much you need depends upon the size of your melon and how boozy you want the watermelon to taste. Use your favorite brand.

Sharp knife

Funnel – I am using a canning funnel in this tutorial. It is one of the most useful and versatile tools in my kitchen. One day, I might actually use it when canning food.

Measuring cup – optional but recommended

Watermelon keg tapping kit – optional

Time

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post for your convenience


Make it:

1. Optional: To make your life easier, either put the watermelon in a small bowl, etc. or make a small slice with the knife to make a flat bottom so the watermelon will not roll around like a drunken watermelon if you like.

2.  Use the knife to either cut the top off of the watermelon OR cut a plug from the side of the watermelon. Save this part for a later step.

3. Either pour the vodka into the hole in the watermelon:

• Using the measuring cup and funnel

OR

• By sticking the neck of the open vodka bottle directly into the hole

Warning: I’d error on the side of caution and use less vodka starting with 1 cup of vodka for a small watermelon otherwise you may end up biting into pure vodka.

In other words, pouring this entire bottle of vodka into the small watermelon shown here is waaaay too much vodka!

Don’t do this! It is not as tasty or fun as it sounds. 

4. Put the top or plug back into the watermelon once the watermelon has absorbed the vodka. This could take anywhere from an hour or many more depending upon how density and juiciness of the watermelon.

What to Do When The Watermelon Will not Absorb the Vodka

• Try cutting a second plug hole in the watermelon to release the vacuum the funnel/vodka bottle may have created.

• Your watermelon may already have too much juice which is preventing the new liquid from being absorbed by the watermelon meat. You can try to drain the juice out of the watermelon by tipping it upside down (this never removes enough watermelon juice for me) or using a meat marinade injector.

Some people skip using a knife and use a meat marinade injector to infuse the watermelon with vodka.

• You can try using a watermelon that has seeds so there are air pockets for the vodka to flow into.

• You can try stabbing into chunks and/or scooping watermelon flesh out of watermelon to make room for the vodka through the sliced top or plug hole.

5. Allow the watermelon to sit and infuse anywhere from 24 hours to several days. Periodically rotating the watermelon will encourage the vodka to infuse more than one spot in the watermelon.


If the watermelon isn’t absorbing vodka by Step 5, your watermelon may be too dense with meat and/or filled with juice – this is typical of seedless watermelons. Here’ how to fix it:

Use the easiest way to make a vodka watermelon come out perfectly every time.

•  Slice, cut, make melon balls, etc. the watermelon as you normally do.

• Put the sliced watermelon into a container with a leak proof lid. I use a cake carrier similar to this one.

•  Pour a cup of vodka over the watermelon slices.

•  Snap the lid on the container.

•  Rotate the container every few hours until the watermelon slices absorb the vodka completely.

6. To serve either:

Slice the watermelon and serve as you would a regular watermelon

OR

Insert a tap into the watermelon according to the direction on the Watermelon keg tapping kit.

7. Enjoy responsibly!

Looking for more watermelon drink recipe ideas? Check out the options - and more! - below!

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