Watermelon cocktails toast summertime refreshment one shake at a time

Summer and watermelon are perfect pairs, and these watermelon cocktails are the best way to toast National Watermelon Day on August 3. Although some people might light to soak that favorite fruit with a liquid or add some fruit to a blender, these beverages shake up the watermelon flavor in various ways. Time to fill up the glass.

After pouring through all types of facts from the Watermelon Board, that summertime favorite could be a fruit, vegetable or just a zero-waste food that is always in season. While many people have various recipes for salads, sides and desserts, it isn’t too far of a stretch to have a few watermelon cocktails in the mix, too.

When thinking about a watermelon cocktail, it can be more than just watermelon and a liquor. Adding in some other flavors shows its versatility. For example, this D’USSE Watermelon Cooler is perfect on a sunny summer day.

D’USSE Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Parts D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
• 3 Parts Fresh Watermelon Juice
• 1/2 Lime
• 3/4 Part Simple Syrup
• 3 Basil Leaves

Method

• Muddle basil and simple syrup in a shaker. Add all other ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled highball glass.

Sometimes summer time is about putting a little extra fun in the frose. While sake slushies might be taking over the frose is still a popular choice. In this cocktail recipe, there is double watermelon flavor from both the CÎROC Summer Watermelon vodka and the watermelon itself.

Plus, the mint is key to this cocktail’s flavor. That touch of brightness helps to balance all the sweetness. Your next backyard gathering will need to have this cocktail.

CÎROC Watermelon Frose

Ingredients

• 2oz CÎROC Summer Watermelon
• 3 cups ice cubes
• 1⁄2 bottle pink moscato
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 ½ cup watermelon flesh, seeds removed
• Mint garnish

Preparation

• Puree Watermelon Flesh & freeze into cubes.
• Blend frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, vodka & pink Moscato.
• Serve in empty watermelon & garnish with mint
• Prep: 10 min Extra time: 4 hr freezing

While fruit is the star of many cocktails, it isn’t the only way to bring the watermelon flavor. In this cocktail, the liquor is infused with the HI-CHEW Watermelon candy. Instead of using a vodka or other clear spirit, the bourbon in a classic mint julep gets a sweet twist.

And, if bourbon isn’t your favorite spirit, this idea can be used with other cocktails. Infusing the liquor with the HI-CHEW works with all types of options.

Watermelon Julep

Ingredients

• 2 oz HI-CHEW Watermelon infused bourbon**
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves

Method

• In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the sugar and mint to release the oils in the mint leaves. Pour in the bourbon, shake with ice, and strain over pebble ice in a julep cup. Garnish with a large bouquet of fresh mint and serve with a metal julep straw. **INFUSIONS: The infusion ratio is one piece of candy per ounce of liquor. Cut the candy into pieces and soak until dissolved.

Lastly, since watermelon is used in a variety of cuisines, National Watermelon Day can be the perfect time to explore some other families. In this cocktail, Lobos 1707 offers a spin on an agua fresca.

https://twitter.com/Lobos1707/status/1422228194086854660

Spiked Agua Fresca

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Lobos 1707, Tequila Joven
• 1 oz fresh watermelon Juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz agave nectar
• Glass: Rocks
• Garnish: Cucumber floating inside the glass/sprig of basil

Directions:

• Add all ingredients into a shaker, add ice and shake until chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish.

Are you ready to shake up some watermelon cocktails for National Watermelon Day? What is your favorite way to enjoy watermelon?