GARDEN COCKTAILS: A METHOD FOR ENJOYING MORE SUMMER
If you were smart and planted watermelon vines in your garden, your summer is about to become even more exceptional. A farmers’ market is another way to fulfill your summer watermelon dreams, but either way this remarkable summer drink invented by our daughter, Daisy Ryan, will be a great accompaniment to evening garden-gazing. Do not hesitate to substitute vodka or gin.
WATERMELON TOSS
1 ½ oz blanco tequila
2 oz fresh watermelon juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
Pinch cayenne
1 tsp pickling liquid from watermelon pickles
Garnish: watermelon pickle
Put all ingredients (except the watermelon pickle) in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, shake, and pour over ice in a double rocks glass and garnish with the watermelon pickle on a pick. Go outside, sit down and drink it while the sun turns the sky the same color as your drink.
Watermelon Juice
Cut rind off watermelon, including ¼” of the pink flesh, put aside. Juice ½ of the melon at a time in a blender until it turns to juice and strain it. Add simple syrup and salt to taste
Watermelon Pickles
Reserved watermelon rind
3 c champagne vinegar
2 c water
1 c sugar
½ c pink peppercorns
¼ t cayenne pepper
Using a sharp knife, cut the rind into lengthwise strips including ¼” of an inch of the pink flesh. Cut into ½” squares. Heat the vinegar, water, sugar, pink peppercorns and cayenne. When it comes to a boil, pour over the rind, let it cool then refrigerate for 24 hours.