An entire watermelon filled with vodka? Yes, please!

For your next summer barbecue, turn a watermelon into an adults-only dessert by filling it with vodka. Or chop up the fruit, and turn it into one of these refreshing watermelon cocktails.

Surprise your guests with ice-cold wedges of vodka-infused watermelon, the perfect boozy dessert for a hot summer day. Use leftover wedges to make a watermelon martini or a vodka-watermelon sparkler.

Start by cutting a hole from a medium-size, seedless watermelon. You can use an apple corer or a knife. I used a cupcake corer.

Make sure you core all the way into the red flesh of the watermelon.

Insert a funnel into the hole, pressing it all the way into the red flesh as well.

Measure out 1-1/2 cups of vodka.

Pour the vodka into the funnel. You might have to pour a little at a time, waiting as it absorbs. Let the watermelon sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight) so the vodka can distribute itself throughout the fruit. You can reinsert the plug you cut out or use a wine cork if you need to transport the watermelon.

To serve, slice the watermelon into small wedges.

You can arrange the wedges simply on a tray, or serve them in martini glasses to dress them up.

1. Vodka-infused whole watermelon recipe

Serves 24

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-size, seedless watermelon
• 1-1/2 cups vodka

Instructions:

1. Use an apple corer or small knife to cut a 1-inch hole into the watermelon, cutting all the way into the red flesh.
2. Insert a funnel into the hole, making sure it goes all the way into the red flesh as well.
3. Pour 1-1/2 cups of vodka into the funnel. You might have to pour a little at a time, waiting as it is absorbed.
4. Let the watermelon sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours so the vodka can distribute itself throughout the fruit.
5. Slice the watermelon into small wedges to serve.

If you’re feeling extra fancy, then turn your boozy watermelon into cocktails instead.

2. Watermelon-pineapple martini recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 wedges vodka-infused watermelon, chilled
• 2 ounces pineapple juice, chilled
• Simple syrup to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the watermelon away from the rind, and chop it into 1/2-inch chunks.
2. Mix the watermelon and remaining ingredients in a glass. Can also be served over ice.

3. Vodka-watermelon sparkler recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 wedges vodka-infused watermelon, chilled
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 3 fresh mint leaves, additional leaves for garnish, if desired
• 6 ounces club soda, chilled
• Simple syrup to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut the watermelon away from the rind, and chop it into 1/2-inch chunks.
2. Mix the watermelon and remaining ingredients in a glass. Can also be served over ice.
3. Garnish with additional mint leaves.

Craving more boozy watermelon fun? Make this watermelon keg.

More creative watermelon recipes

Fruit-filled watermelon shark bowl
Edible watermelon bowls with sorbet
Watermelon grill with fruit kebabs