Watermelon Cocktail!

The other day I came home from work and before I had time to change out of work clothes and sit for a few minutes, J-lo was making cocktails! Very enjoyable. See below for his comments and recipe. The good fun: he used watermelon from the farmer's market. So a little tropical fun with local produce!

Watermelon Daiquiri

From J-lo:

This is roughly what I put in, but I messed around with it a few times.

4 cups of watermelon - cubed and frozen
1/2 cup rum
1/4 cup orange liqueur
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
simple syrup
ice

Add watermelon and liquids to a blender. Mix until smooth. Add ice to bring volume back up to top of blender. Mix again. Taste and adjust until you get the ingredients right.

I had no orange liqueur, so I tried orange vodka. That really didn't bring enough sweetness, so I used more simple syrup than you might normally need. Another option would be to try orange juice.

The other idea I would try is to use watermelon flavored rum, which could enhance the flavor and sweetness.

Agua Fesca!

Watermelon Agua Fresca

What a beautiful summer drink. Very refreshing and very easy to blend together. All you need is a blender or food processor. Perfect fresh from the pitcher. Delightful with a splash or rum or any other favorite liquor.

3 lb watermelon (weight includes rind)
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup of simple syrup (based on preference and ripeness of the fruit)

Cut the rind from the water and remove any black seeds. Cut fruit into cubes and add to a blender or food processor. Mix until well blended. Stir in a pinch of salt and any syrup you like. Chill in the refrigerator and serve over ice.

Now, let's talk options...

1-2 limes, 1 to add juice to the watermelon and a second to garnish.

1 tsp Orange extract for a light floral note

Small handful of mint leaves, crushed or muddled in the bottom of the glass. Or add the mint to the simple syrup while that is boiling to extract the minty flavor. Remember; to make simple syrup, you add equal amounts of white sugar and water, boil until the sugar is dissolved.

What would you add?

Recipe from Local Flavors by Deborah Madison