Wild about watermelon

Watermelon is most often enjoyed sliced and diced — and that’s a wonderful way to do it — but there are more than a few other ways to savor the sweet summertime snack. Celebrating National Watermelon Day on Aug. 3, these city bars and restaurants are serving soups, salads, cocktails and more — sans seeds.

And if you really want to go all out in your obvious displays of love for summer’s best friend (yes, the watermelon!), cut open the fruit with MoMA Design Store’s super fun Watermelon Knife ($30).

Cocktails to make your mouth 'water'...

Watermelon-Mint Cointreau Rickey

The combination of Cointreau, fresh lime juice and club soda is sweet yet bitter, bringing zest to the refreshing watermelon and mint mixture. After a long day, a fruity and refreshing drink with slight effervescence is more than in order! $12. Watermark Bar & Lounge, 78 South St., 212-742-8200, watermarkny.com

Head Above Watermelon

Watermelon juice and Tequila Blanco were meant to be best friends, but Alagash Hefeweizen is no third wheel in this creative cocktail. With fresh lime juice and simple syrup, this drink is fun, bubbly and decidedly different. $15. THE LCL: Bar & Kitchen, 212 E. 42nd St., 212-405-4399, thelclnyc.com

Watermelon Flip Flop

With the use of all fruity ingredients -- Grey Goose Pear, pear liquor, lemon juice and fresh-squeezed watermelon juice -- this chilled concoction is a sweet summer staple that is sure to impress. $14. Empire Hotel, 44 W. 63rd St., 212-265-7400, empirehotelnyc.com

Summer Spice

Appropriately named, this drink, made with watermelon (summer) and jalapeño (spice) brings kick and sweetness. The vodka, fresh lime juice and agave nectar complete the cocktail -- all you need to do is sit back and relax in the lounge. $16. The Living Room at the W Times Square, 1567 Broadway, 212-930-7444

Full Watermelon

Sharing is caring, and with a whole watermelon filled with your spirit of choice, it's necessary! Enjoying the views of the city while sipping (with four or five friends) sounds like the perfect pour (as long as it's not pouring rain!). $50. Pod 39 Hotel, Salvation Taco, 145 E. 39th St.,212-865-5800, salvationtaco.com

Indulge in these inventive dishes...

Smoked Char Siu Pork Shoulder

Peanuts add crunch to this meaty dish of smoked pork shoulder (roasted in 500 degree heat for 12 minutes), which is marinated and then brushed again with housemade Char Siu sauce. The ripe watermelon, combined with the sauce, is a sweet and satisfying combination. $19. Talde, 369 Seventh Ave., Park Slope, 347-916-0031, taldebrooklyn.com

Tomato, Watermelon Salad

A tower of cut-out watermelon and sliced tomato, topped with crumbled feta, micro basil, mint and arugula, is juicy and refreshing and sure to keep diners hydrated and healthy all summer long. $14. Hotel Chantelle, 92 Ludlow St., 212-254-9100, hotelchantelle.com

Chilled Watermelon Soup

Beating the heat with soup sounds unusual, but a bowl of chilled watermelon pieces, pineapple juice and diced cucumber (not to mention the jumbo crabmeat garnish), is an alternative appetizer to summer salads. $11. Delmonico’s Kitchen, 207 W. 36th St., 212-695-5220, delmonicosrestaurantgroup.com

Grilled Montauk Squid

This dish is marinated with olive oil and fresh herbs — and grilled on an open flame. The Serrano chili-infused compressed watermelon adds a kick, but here’s the real kicker: it’s served cold or hot. We’ll take both, please! $15. Harding’s, 32 E. 21st St., 212-600-2105, hardingsnyc.com 

Tuna Crudo 

Simple preparation is best: sliced tuna is placed over balsamic vinegar and EVOO-marinated watermelon. The jalapeño adds some heat but is mellowed by the (now not so secret ingredient) yuzo — creating a delicious and luxurious dish. $18. Isola Trattoria and Crudo Bar, 9 Crosby St., 212-389-0000, isolasoho.com