Beat the Heat with a Watermelon Daiquiri

I don’t know what the weather is like where you live, but down here in Sarasota summer has arrived in force and we are “enjoying” 90-degree days with 85 percent humidity – pretty much every day. Until October. Our reward will be seven months of gorgeous weather with highs in the 70’s, sunshine, and little to no humidity. Until then, I need some cocktails to cool me off, and this watermelon daiquiri does the job every time!

Regardless of where you live in the U.S., there will be days this summer when you will have to beat the heat and find relief from the swelter of summer. Before we moved to Sarasota, Laurie and I lived in Virginia, right outside of the (literal) swamp known as DC, for 30 years. The summers there were hot and humid. Before that, I lived in Hawaii for two years – hot and humid. Before that, on the outer banks of North Carolina (Emerald Isle) – hot and humid. Before that, Norman, Oklahoma – less humidity, but REALLY hot in the summer. Getting the theme here?! So, I’m constantly on the lookout for new, creative cocktails that are light and refreshing and that provide welcome relief from the heat and humidity, especially during the “dog days” of summer.

The best of these cocktails make use of seasonal fruits and ingredients – think peaches, melons, strawberries, and yes, watermelon! I have always loved daiquiris for their simplicity as well as their refreshing character. A classic daiquiri includes three ingredients – white rum, lime juice, and simple syrup - it doesn't get any easier than that! You might be more familiar with the overly sweet, slushy drink you can get in any bar, but that’s an abomination of the original named after Daiquiri Beach in Cuba so don't fall for that trick!

But I wanted to amp it up a bit and create a more interesting concoction. So, I added watermelon juice to the mix because I think watermelon and rum are a match made in heaven. It also added beautiful color to the drink. After finishing with a wedge of watermelon and lime for garnish, I had a new favorite cocktail to beat the summer heat!

Give this one a try and let me know what you think – and stay cool!

Watermelon Daiquiri (makes 1 cocktail)

This refreshing cocktail is a riff off the classic daiquiri that adds homemade watermelon juice into the mix. You can also make this a pitcher drink if you’d like by multiplying all the ingredients by eight (except the watermelon juice – you should have enough as is) and combining in a pitcher – just chill in the refrigerator and give it a stir before you pour!

Ingredients

2 oz. white rum

2 oz. watermelon juice (see recipe below)

1 oz. lime juice

½ oz. simple syrup (see recipe below)

Watermelon wedge and lime peel for garnish

Directions

Make the watermelon juice and simple syrup.

Combine the rum, 2 oz. watermelon juice, lime juice, and ½ oz. simple syrup into a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the watermelon slice and lime peel.

Watermelon Juice (makes about 2 cups)

Ingredients

2 cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

Place the watermelon in a blender and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and refrigerate until ready to use.

Simple Syrup Recipe (makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Directions

Combine sugar and water into a medium saucepan and heat on medium high heat, stirring continuously until sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool and then refrigerate – it will last for a few weeks. I like to store it in a plastic squeeze bottle which makes it really easy to add when building a cocktail.