Tomorrow is one of those foodie holidays: National Watermelon Day. It is, quite honestly, a fruit that does not make a regular appearance in cocktails. This underrated cocktail ingredient does have a place, however, and when mixed in creative ways can beat almost any cranberry or orange juice drink. Because we do not use watermelon much, the drinks we make with it have a somewhat exotic feel, but it is one that we recognize and love because of all of those chunks of watermelon we've enjoyed for countless summers.
Watermelon juice is not as easy to come by as other juices. You can find it in specialty markets and some of the more intuitive grocers, but the best way to obtain watermelon juice is to employ that electric juicer that is collecting dust in the pantry and stopping by the melon stand or farmer's market to choose your own melon. Also, a great amount of juice can be made from any leftover watermelon from the neighborhood cookout or last night's barbecue.
Once you have your juice you will need some drinks to mix it in. Here are three new cocktails from some of the country's best mixologists...
- Peppermelon - From H. Joseph Ehrmann, this drink mixes a boutique American gin with watermelon and a black pepper honey syrup with a peppered watermelon chunk as a garnish
- Melancia Sour - From Kevin Deidrich, this cocktail uses cachaca, watermelon, and a lovely lemongrass simple syrup.
- Gallagher Cocktail - From Jacob Grier, the Gallagher uses a unique Swedish Punsch with the classic Bols Genever and watermelon that is garnished with pickled watermelon.
More Watermelon Cocktails...
Comments
Let us not forget the one that started it all. Cut a hole in the watermelon, insert a bottle of 151 into the hole and let the watermelon absorb the rum for a few hours. At this point is where the variations begin. Add other fruit,some dark or spiced rum. now you can blend it eat it,drink it, freeze it. You can even wear it on your head when your done,( don’t laugh i’ve seen it happen. Perfect for a hot, humid summer party in New england ( my younger years)
Thanks for bringing back the memories of those days. Ours was always vodka or tequila.