Watermelon Blast Cocktail

I remember every detail of when my dad would get a watermelon. He would go to the big farmers market to get one. He would put it on newspapers. Then he’d insert the knife into it for the long cut down the middle. He said if it started to split as he was cutting he knew it was a good one. After cutting it in half he’d lay plastic wrap on top and put it in the fridge. It would be nice and cold for when family arrived. Those treasured memories arose when I was making the Watermelon Blast Cocktail.

Eating watermelon was so much fun. It was different. We didn’t sit at the table. We were outside sitting wherever we wanted. My dad would cut the melon into wedges. Each of us would have our own spread of newspapers ready. Then we would feast, talk, laugh, spit seeds, and slurp in every bite and drop of that glorious summer fruit.

Watermelon certainly is refreshing. It can cool you down on a hot summer day. So when the Georgia Watermelon Association asked me if I’d want to create a watermelon cocktail, I was all in. The bonus is enjoying the superb melons grown in Georgia.

My first inkling was a cocktail with tequila. Only because it is listed as a pairing in the book I use as a resource when creating recipes. However watermelon margaritas are not exactly new on the horizon. Then I thought about a caipirinha. But cachaça isn’t familiar to most folks. I decided to go with vodka. And guess what? Now they make watermelon flavored vodka. Oh yea! Perfect.

How do you make a Watermelon Blast Cocktail? First thing to do is get the ingredients. There are only three. Simple is best to showcase such a delightful fruit. Go to the liquor store and get a bottle of watermelon vodka. Then head to the store and get a bunch of limes and a watermelon. Not just any melon though, make sure it is one grown in Georgia.

My ingredient shopping took me down memory lane. I went to the same big farmers market where my dad would go. It is the State Farmers Market (Atlanta location) and it has Georgia watermelons galore.

Next up in making the cocktail is prepping. The first thing to do after slicing the melon in half is to make some melon balls. Well, that is, if you want some for garnish or to plop in your drink. Then cut it into small chunks. Here’s a decision time. Do you want your cocktail smooth or chunky? You’ll need to take the seeds out of the chunks if you want the smooth version. You’ll also need a whole lot more chunks.

How to make the smooth version: Fill up your blender with small watermelon chunks (seeds removed). Add some lime juice. Blend. Then strain it and discard the pulp. Shake that lovely juice with watermelon flavored vodka and pour into ice filled glasses. Garnish with melon balls and lime slices if you want.

How to make the chunky version: Place a couple lime wedges in a cocktail shaker. Fill it up with watermelon chunks with seeds. Use a mortar to smash it down. Leave some little chunks! Add watermelon flavored vodka, shake, and pour into glasses. With this version, you get to chew on your cocktail and have the fun of spitting seeds (if you feel so inclined to do some seed spitting). Garnish with lime wedges if you want.

How about creating your own watermelon cocktail? The Georgia Watermelon Association is having a “Georgia’s Best Summertime Drink” recipe contest. The grand prize is an Ovente BLH1000R Professional Blender and there are two first place prizes of a Blackboard Beverage Dispenser Set (one for each category of Family Friendly or 21 and up). You must enter the contest by August 15, 2016. For full contest details and how to enter go here: Georgia’s Best Summertime Drink Recipe Contest.

Good luck if you enter the contest. Winning that blender sure would be nice. Plus you’d get the fun of creating a tasty cocktail for your family and friends. And there’s Georgia watermelon to be enjoyed along the way. Oh, and scroll down past the recipe for a big collage. Pin it to have it handy for later. Cheers!

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Watermelon Blast Cocktail

Watermelon Blast Cocktail is a refreshing summer drink with only 3 ingredients. Make it smooth style for easy sipping or chunky for added fun of chewing.

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Author Renee Dobbs

Ingredients

For smooth style:

• 8 cups watermelon chunks about 1-inch chunks, seeds removed
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 ounces watermelon flavored vodka
• Lime slices and watermelon balls for garnish

For chunky style:

• 3 cups watermelon cubes chilled
• 1 lime cut lengthwise into 8 wedges chilled
• 3 ounces watermelon flavored vodka chilled

Instructions

For smooth style:

1. Place watermelon chunks and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Use a silicone spatula or spoon to press and move pulp around in the sieve to get as much liquid as possible. Discard pulp. You should get about 4 cups liquid.
3. Place 1 1/2 cups watermelon-lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Add vodka. Shake and pour into ice filled glasses.
4. Garnish with lime slices and watermelon balls if desired.
5. Reserve remaining watermelon-lime juice for other purposes. Serve it over ice for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage. You can also freeze it into cubes to use in the cocktail instead of regular ice.

For chunky style:

1. It's important to have all the ingredients for this version chilled because it is not served with ice (unless you use watermelon ice cubes - see above).
2. Place 2 lime wedges and watermelon cubes in a cocktail shaker.
3. Use a mortar to smash watermelon and lime. Do not smash watermelon completely so there will be small chunks of it in the cocktail.
4. Add watermelon vodka. Shake and pour into glasses.
5. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.

Recipe Notes

Watermelon Blast Cocktail is a refreshing summer drink with only 3 ingredients. Make it smooth style for easy sipping or chunky for added fun of chewing.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Georgia Watermelon Association.