We took the kidlets to the coast a few weeks ago and on the (long) drive back I noticed that the side of the road was peppered with farm stands overflowing with watermelons. I've been craving watermelon agua fresca ever since. Being that we're heading into the weekend, I decided to make a dressed up cocktail version...but you could certainly leave out the vodka and use still water if you want a more traditional version.
Watermelon Ginger Cooler
First you need to whip up some Ginger Simple Syrup
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of sugar
1" knot of ginger, peeled and cut into 4-6 pieces
Place all of the ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn down and simmer/stir until all of the sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 2 more minutes and then remove from heat. Strain the ginger out, and set aside to cool. You have made more than you need for one drink. Set aside the extra for your next cocktail or store it for later use as a refreshing addition to iced tea or lemonade.
Next make the Ginger Sugar to rim the glass
1/4 cup coarse sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger powder
Mix the sugar and ginger powder together and place in a shallow dish for rimming your glass.
To make the Cocktail combine these ingredients in a tall glass or cocktail shaker:
4 oz. watermelon juice (I just pureed 1 cup of watermelon and strained the pulp out)
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp ginger simple syrup
1 oz. Tito's Handmade Vodka
4 ice cubes
Shake the ingredients to mix them thoroughly.
Take a small slice of lemon and run it around the rim of your glass and then turn the glass upside down in the ginger sugar to coat the rim. Place 3 ice cubes in your glass and add your watermelon mix. Fill the rest of your glass with club soda. Garnish with a few thin slices of ginger, cubed watermelon and a sprig of mint.
Breathe deep and welcome your weekend with arms wide open...rain or shine.