Where to get your watermelon fix in Birmingham + more fun ways to use the fruit at home

Ahhh, the sweet sweet taste of watermelon. The quintessential summer fruit. (Don’t believe me? Google it!) Nothing beats eating a slice of watermelon (with a sprinkle of salt) in the summer sunshine. It’s also one of the most versatile fruits—you can slice it, dice it, throw it in a salad, turn it into juice, put it in a cocktail…the list goes on. Here’s where to get your watermelon fix around town, plus, a few fun ways to use the fruit at home!

Local bars with watermelon cocktails + mocktails:

Would you believe me if I said this watermelon marg tastes as good as it looks? When it comes to using watermelon in cocktails, it’s kind of hard to mess up. The juice is super sweet, and pairs well with soooo many things. Here are a few places to find a watermelon-flavored cocktail in the ‘Ham:

The Louis

• Address: 120 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL
• Hours: Mon-Sat 11AM-8PM | Closed Sunday
• What to order: Their watermelon margarita (pictured above) doesn’t disappoint.
• Contact: Website | Instagram

Cayo Coco

• Address: 2015 1st Ave. N. Unit-A, Birmingham, AL
• Hours: Tues-Sat for dinner 4PM-10PM | Sat for lunch 11AM-2PM
• What to order: Their watermelon daiquiri (frozen or shaken), watermelon mojitos (mocktails made with coconut water or regular), and have a cinnamon basil/watermelon gimlet in the works! *drools*
• Contact: 205.290.5115 | Order Online | Website | Instagram

The Collins Bar

• Address: 2125 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL
• Hours: Tues-Thurs 4PM-12AM | Fri-Sat 4PM-2AM | Sun 6PM-12AM | Closed Monday
• What to order: You really can’t go wrong with a watermelon marg.
• Contact: Website | Instagram

Where to get a watermelon popsicle + juice:

Nothing beats a cold juice or sweet treat in the summer, and there are lots of places with watermelon-flavored goodies on the menu. Here are a few to check out:

Steel City Pops

• Address: They have locations at The Summit and in Homewood—find the addresses + hours here.
• What to order: Of course, their summer flavor is watermelon. Try it before it’s gone!
• Contact: Website | Instagram

Farm Bowl Juice Co.

• Address: 1920 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL
• Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM | Sat + Sun 8AM-7PM
• What to order: Their Refresh juice includes watermelon, mint, cucumber and beet—so good.
• Contact: 205.848.2929 | Order online| Website | Instagram

Clean Juice

• Address: 6215 Tattersall Blvd Suite #101, Hoover, AL
• Hours: Mon-Fri: 7AM-8PM | Sat 8AM-8PM | Sun 9AM-6PM
• What to order: We tried their seasonal juice called “The Hydrating One,” which is mostly organic watermelon juice as well as organic pineapple and mint. YUM.
• Contact: Website | Instagram

Refreshing recipe ideas to use watermelon at home:

Of course, we couldn’t leave you without some unique ways to use watermelon on your own at home! Here are some fun ideas + local places to find the fruit in Birmingham:

Fun ways to use watermelon at home:

• Watermelon frosé—no explanation needed.
• Summer salads will never be the same now that we’ve found this watermelon Caprese recipe.
• Keep it simple with this three-ingredient watermelon granita.
• Feeling bold? Deep-fry your watermelon.
• Toss some watermelon bits into your salsa for a fun summer snack.
• Make your watermelon last by whipping up a sorbet.
• And last but, surely not least—the iconic vodka spiked watermelon.

Where to find watermelons locally:

• Farmers Markets: Here’s an update on local farmer’s markets that are operating right now.
• The Pig: Can’t make it to a farmer’s market? No worries! The Pig has many locations around Birmingham and regularly stocks fresh produce from local farmers.

Know of more places with fun watermelon-flavored concoctions or treats? Share them with us, along with your own watermelon recipes, on social at @BhamNow on Facebook and Instagram, or @Now_Bham on Twitter so we can check them out!