From park picnics to backyard barbecues, watermelon is everywhere during the summer months. And we're thankful for it. There's no fruit more representative of the hot months of this season, and with good reason. Just one bite into a slice of perfectly ripe watermelon and you're immediately refreshed on a hot day. It's like magic.

Even when you're sticky from juice running down your arm, you know watermelon's worth it. But if you want to skip the mess, try watermelon recipes. When you make salads, drinks and cocktails out of watermelon, you get all watermelon and no mess. And if you make a drunken watermelon, you've got everything you need for a great summer party.

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  • Thai Basil Watermelon Margaritas

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18696-thai-basil-watermelon-margaritas" target="_blank">Thai Basil Watermelon Margaritas recipe</a> by Bob Vivant via Food52</strong>

  • Watermelon And Goat Cheese Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/292-watermelon-and-goat-cheese-salad-with-a-verbena-infused-vinaigrette" target="_blank">Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad with a Verbena Infused Vinaigrette recipe</a> by loli via Food52</strong>

  • Strawberry And Watermelon Cake

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://trissalicious.com/2010/12/02/sometimes-no-just-means-not-now-strawberry-and-watermelon-cake/" target="_blank">Strawberry and Watermelon Cake recipe</a> by Trissalicious</strong>

  • Watermelon + Basil Mojito

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/06/two-fun-mojito-recipes-.html" target="_blank">Watermelon + Basil Mojito recipe</a> by A Beautiful Mess</strong>

  • Quinoa Salad With Watermelon And Feta

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2012/06/20/quinoa-salad-with-watermelon-and-feta/" target="_blank">Quinoa Salad with Watermelon and Feta recipe</a> by Simply Recipes</strong>

  • Watermelon, Cucumber & Mint Soup

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2011/06/summer-soup-watermelon-cucumber-mint.html" target="_blank">Watermelon, Cucumber & Mint Soup recipe</a> by Verses from my Kitchen</strong>

  • Grilled Watermelon Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2011/07/grilled-watermelon-salad-plus-a-watermelon-margarita.html" target="_blank">Grilled Watermelon Salad recipe</a> by Verses from my Kitchen</strong>

  • Salted Watermelon Granita With Ginger Syrup

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.versesfrommykitchen.com/2012/08/salted-watermelon-granita-with-ginger-syrup.html" target="_blank">Salted Watermelon Granita with Ginger Syrup recipe</a> by Verses from my Kitchen</strong>

  • Fresh Watermelon Jello

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/06/fresh-watermelon-jello-sea-salt.html" target="_blank">Fresh Watermelon Jello recipe</a> by A Beautiful Mess</strong>

  • Jalapeno Watermelon Limeade

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/12883-jalapeno-watermelon-limeade" target="_blank">Jalapeno Watermelon Limeade recipe</a> by WinnieAb via Food52</strong>

  • Tomato And Watermelon Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.steamykitchen.com/16505-tomato-and-watermelon-salad.html" target="_blank">Tomato and Watermelon Salad recipe</a> by Steamy Kitchen</strong>

  • Watermelon Martini

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://passthesushi.com/mixing-martinis-for-the-4th-of-july/" target="_blank">Watermelon Martini recipe</a> by Pass the Sushi</strong>

  • Watermelon Shake

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/14635-watermelon-shake" target="_blank">Watermelon Shake recipe</a> by Plateful via Food52</strong>

  • Strawberry & Watermelon Spring Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2011/05/craving-strawberry-watermelon-spring-salad/" target="_blank">Strawberry & Watermelon Spring Salad recipe</a> by Foodiecrush</strong>

  • Watermelon Spritzers With Lemon And Honey

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2012/05/watermelon-spritzers-with-lemon-and-honey/" target="_blank">Watermelon Spritzers with Lemon and Honey recipe</a> by Bev Cooks</strong>

  • Watermelon & Parsley Pops

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/watermelon--parsley-pops_n_1571137.html" target="_blank">Watermelon & Parsley Pops recipe</a></strong>

  • Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/watermelon-fire-and-ice-salsa/" target="_blank">Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa recipe</a> by Gimme Some Oven</strong>

  • Watermelon Agua Fresca

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/04/agua-fresca-two-ways/" target="_blank">Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe</a> by How Sweet It Is</strong>

  • Grilled Watermelon With Yogurt

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-watermelon-with-y_n_1058477.html" target="_blank">Grilled Watermelon with Yogurt recipe</a></strong>

  • Watermelon With Lavender Honey And Sea Salt

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/5814-watermelon-with-lavender-honey-and-sea-salt" target="_blank">Watermelon with Lavender Honey and Sea Salt recipe</a> by Nicole Frazen via Food52</strong>

  • Watermelon Basil “Bramble” Cocktail

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2012/08/gin-cocktail-watermelon.html" target="_blank">Watermelon Basil “Bramble” Cocktail recipe</a> by A Spicy Perspective</strong>

  • Minted Watermelon Popsicles

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/minted-watermelon-popsicl_n_1058561.html" target="_blank">Minted Watermelon Popsicles recipe</a></strong>

  • Watermelon With Za'atar

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/13441-watermelon-with-za-atar" target="_blank">Watermelon with Za'atar recipe</a> by Justforlicks via Food52</strong>

  • Grilled Watermelon With Yogurt

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/grilled-watermelon-with-y_n_1058477.html" target="_hplink">Grilled Watermelon with Yogurt recipe</a></strong> Inspired by the classic watermelon salad, this version takes it to the next level by grilling the watermelon. It's topped with a tangy yogurt sauce instead of feta. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with black pepper and mint.

  • Watermelon-Yogurt Ice

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/watermelon-yogurt-ice_n_1049320.html" target="_hplink">Watermelon-Yogurt Ice recipe</a></strong>

  • Watermelon Gin Fizz

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/watermelon-gin-fizz_n_1061578.html" target="_hplink">Watermelon Gin Fizz recipe</a></strong>

  • Watermelon And Fennel Salad

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://jenncuisine.com/2011/06/watermelon-and-fennel-salad/" target="_hplink">Watermelon and Fennel Salad recipe from Jenn Cuisine</a></strong>

  • Fruit-Basil Salsa

    <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/17/coffee-spice-chicken-and-_n_1432937.html" target="_hplink">Fruit-Basil Salsa recipe</a></strong>