Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe – Served out of a watermelon punch bowl and made with ripe watermelon, passion fruit rum, orange-pineapple juice, and lime juice! It’s the perfect party cocktail for summer!

A punch bowl ladle holding a scoop of watermelon rum punch over the watermelon bowl.

Why We Love This Watermelon Rum Punch

There’s just something magical about a big batch of Watermelon Rum Punch. I absolutely love how it instantly turns any gathering into a celebration. The combination of fresh watermelon, tropical passion fruit rum, and citrus juices is like summer in a glass—sweet, tangy, and oh-so-refreshing. Plus, let’s be honest, the watermelon “punch bowl” is a total showstopper. It’s a drink and a centerpiece all in one!

What I really love about this recipe is how perfectly everything comes together. The fresh watermelon puree is naturally sweet and smooth, while the rum and juice bring those bold tropical vibes. A splash of lime juice adds just the right amount of zing, and a little sugar ties it all together without making it overly sweet. It’s so easy to whip up, and it never fails to impress. Whether I’m hosting outdoor parties or just kicking back by the pool, this punch is always a hit!

A top down view of rum punch in a glass with a lime slice next to the watermelon bowl.

Ingredients You Need

  • Watermelon – seedless
  • Passion fruit rum – or passion fruit juice and sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version
  • Orange-pineapple juice – or equal parts orange juice and pineapple juice
  • Lime juice – freshly squeezed
  • Granulated sugar – or honey

How to Make Rum Punch

  1. Set the flat side of a watermelon on a cutting board. Jiggle the melon to see if it will stay level. If not, slice a thin layer of rind off the bottom to make a flat surface. Then cut a large oval opening in the top of the watermelon.
  2. Use a large metal spoon to scoop the flesh out of the watermelon, creating a punch bowl. Set the small chunks in a large bowl to collect the juices.
A watermelon with the top cut off and part of the inside scooped out.
Blender full of chunks of watermelon.
  1. Working in two batches, place half the watermelon flesh into the blender. Add half of the rum, juices and sugar. Blend until smooth. Pour the punch into the watermelon serving bowl and repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Pro Tip: The rum punch will have a frothy texture, similar to classic sherbet punch. If you are anti-froth, you can strain the punch using a fine-mesh strainer and discard solids if you like. I love the frothy consistency, but Lt. Dan hates anything with a foamy texture, so sometimes I strain it… If I’m feeling sweet. *wink*

  1. Chill the punch until ready to serve. (Depending on the size of watermelon you may have extra in the blender pitcher for refilling the punch bowl.) Pour into serving glasses and garnish with lime slices, fresh watermelon slices, or a handful of mint leaves, if desired.

Get the Complete (Printable) Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe Below. Enjoy!

A blender pouring rum punch into the watermelon bowl.
A watermelon bowl filled with rum punch and topped with two lime slices.

Serving Suggestions

Are you planning on serving this rum punch for a summer party? These are some of my favorite summer recipes to serve with it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make this Punch Ahead of Time?

Yes you can. Cover and chill the watermelon until ready to serve. If you decide not to strain the punch, you will need to give it a good stir before serving.

Can I Use Different Rum Flavors?

Absolutely! Bacardi (and other rum brands) come in many flavors that pair well with watermelon. Try using mango, lime, coconut, vanilla, or peach flavored rum in this punch.

A punch ladle holding a serving of rum punch above the watermelon bowl.

Looking for More Cocktails? Be Sure to Try:

Get the Complete (Printable) Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe Below. Enjoy!

5 Ingredient Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe
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5-Ingredient Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Fresh Watermelon Rum Punch Recipe, served out of a watermelon punch bowl! Made with ripe watermelon, passion fruit rum, orange-pineapple juice, and lime juice!
Servings: 20

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Set the flat side of a watermelon on a cutting board. Jiggle the melon to see if it will stay level. If not, slice a thin layer of rind off the bottom to make a flat surface. Then cut a large oval opening in the top of the watermelon.
  • Use a large metal spoon to scoop the flesh out of the watermelon, creating a punch bowl. Set the fruit chunks in a large bowl to collect the juices.
  • Working in two batches, place half the watermelon flesh into the blender. Add half of the rum, juices and sugar. Puree until smooth. Pour the punch into the watermelon bowl and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Chill the punch until ready to serve. (Depending on the size of watermelon you may have extra in the blender pitcher for refilling the punch bowl.) Pour into serving glasses and garnish with lime slices, fresh watermelon slices, or a handful of mint leaves if desired.

Video

Notes

Some seedless watermelons have less baby seeds than others. You can strain the punch if you like, but I prefer the frothy texture of the unstrained punch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 189kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 324mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 1345IU, Vitamin C: 36.5mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.6mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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