Menu Musings of a Modern American Mom: Watermelon Mojito Coolers (with or without alcohol)

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Watermelon Mojito Coolers (with or without alcohol)

So already down here in the South, the days are sweltering! This afternoon, we whipped up some of these fun Watermelon Mojito Coolers to drink while we were cooking dinner. I think this recipe could aptly be labeled "playing with your food," because that's essentially what we were doing. I was digging around in my big kitchen gadget drawer for something a couple of days ago, and someone asked "what's that thing for?" The "thing" in question was my potato ricer, so I explained the use of it. Then "BAM," this idea hits me that this would be a great tool for extracting the juice from chunks of watermelon for a drink. I had a watermelon mojito not that long ago, down in Miami, and the only thing I didn't like about it was the little chunks of stuff/pulp that I kept sucking up through the straw. The flavor was fun, but I wanted a clearer drink. So that brings us to the potato ricer. Haha.. Who says you have to use it for its "intended" use?!

These could definitely be made without the alcohol for a fun cooler for the kids. Something different. Or maybe you had a summer pool party and came home with half a watermelon left over?! These would be a fun use for that, as well. You make them more sweet or more tart by playing with the proportions. Have fun!

Click for Printable Recipe

Ingredients: (4 drinks)

2 cups pressed/strained watermelon juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
a handful of mint leaves
a generous splash of ginger-ale

or lemon-lime soda, like Sprite

2 shots Parrot Bay coconut rum (optional, per drink)

or your favorite white rum

ice cubes

Step-by-Step:

Prep - Begin by straining your watermelon and limes.

2 cups pressed/strained watermelon juice

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Mix - Now start making your "mix" into a pitcher!

2 cups pressed/strained watermelon juice

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

You can purchase simple syrup already prepared, or make your own. It is essentially just a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water, boiled together until it reduces and becomes thick and syrupy.

1/2 cup simple syrup

Serve -

To each glass, add crushed ice, or ice chunks. Add your mint leaves. A lot of mojito recipes muddle the mint leaves, but I find it can get a little bit bitter. But if you prefer that, go right ahead!

several mint leaves

If adding alcohol, do it now. I am using coconut rum, because I like the "softer" taste of it. If you prefer a regular white rum, or something else... add that and make it your own! The coconut rum is not as strong as the other "straight" rums. So 2 oz of regular white rum may be too much, depending on your taste.

1 - 2 shots Parrot Bay coconut rum (optional, per drink)

Now fill the glass most of the way up with the watermelon "agua fresca"... Probably about 3/4 of the way up the glass.

Top it all off with a big splash of ginger-ale. I like the fizzy'ness and the flavor profile of it. You could also use a splash of regular lemon-lime soda.

And remember to make some non-alcoholic versions for the kiddos... because they are really refreshing on a hot day! Lily's Tinkerbell cup gets the same pretty garnishes as the grownup glasses! Kids love to feel included!

So speaking of garnishes, each glass is served with a "spear" of lime wedge, mint leaf, and a watermelon ball. I also dropped a couple more watermelon balls directly into the drinks.

Written Method:

Strain watermelon juice. To accomplish this, I ran it the watermelon chunks through my potato ricer. It worked like a charm! Next squeeze your limes. I did this over a strainer as well, as I didn't want the pulp in there this time. Mix together the watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. This is the base mix for your drinks.

To each glass, add crushed or cubed ice, add rum, pour in the watermelon mix, and top it all off with a splash of ginger-ale. Give it a stir, then garnish each glass with watermelon balls, a slice of lime, and mint leaves.

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