Watermelon to me just oozes summer. It's such a versatile go-to fruit that is easily eaten at home or on a picnic. It's sweet, juicy and can be used in so many ways and forms.
I had company over last week and decided, as it was so hot, that I would highlight watermelon in two different cocktails. After sampling both, my guests could then vote on their favourite drink.
Both drinks were made from the same base - watermelon juice, however the spirit, liquid add-ins and garnishes were different.
Read on for the recipes and to see which drink was the winner!
Drink #1: Watermelon Margarita (serves 1)
Ingredients
2 oz watermelon juice (recipe below)
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
3/4 oz agave syrup (combine 1:1 ration of agave nectar and water, heat until combined into a syrup)
salt & lime wedge, to rim glass
watermelon garnish
Method
Run lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip glass into salt to coat edges.
In a cocktail shaker, combine watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice and agave syrup. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes chilled. Strain into the salted rim glass. Add garnish.
*Use a small cookie cutters to make shapes out of the watermelon rind scraps left over from making the watermelon juice. Remove pith (white) from the rind to make the cutting easier.
*This recipe is easily doubled or made into batches for large groups.
Drink #2: Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients
3 oz watermelon juice (recipe below)
1 oz light rum
1 oz dark rum
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 ratio of sugar & water syrup, heated until all sugar is dissolved, then cooled)
6-8 mint leaves (adjust depending on the leaf size)
2 lime wedges
*splash of club soda (optional)
Method
In a glass add simple syrup, 4-6 mint leaves and 1 lime wedge. Muddle 2-3 times to release the lime and mint oils. Combine watermelon juice, both rums, lime juice into the glass and add ice. Stir to combine. Top with a splash of club soda for fizz and garnish with the remaining mint and lime wedge.
Watermelon Juice (for both drinks)
Ingredients
2 cups watermelon cubes, from 1 small seedless watermelon, skin removed and cut into pieces
1 cup water
Method
In a high powered blender, add 2 cups of watermelon cubes and 1 cup of cold water. Blend until mixture becomes liquified. Strain liquid to remove pulp and any seeds that may still be intact.
Pour into a container and cool. Refrigerate if not using right away. The juice may separate in the fridge, shake again before using to re-combine.
*So, while the competition was a close one, the Watermelon Margarita was the winner!
At the end of a long summer day though, you can't go wrong with either cocktail. I hope you try them both!
Enjoy the weekend,
Krista
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