Watermelon Spritzy Recipes

OUZO SPRITZ WITH PICKLED WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• For the pickled watermelon rind: Slice off each end of the watermelon and discard. Stand the watermelon up and begin trimming the thin green layer off, leaving the white pith layer on the watermelon. Depending on the size, slice the watermelon in half widthwise so it is easier to work with.
• Trim the white rind off in the same way the green rind was removed. When all the white rind has been removed, trim each piece into a 1-by-6-inch plank. (This measurement doesn't have to be exact, you are just trying to create pieces of relatively the same size and thickness.) Trim any remaining pink parts off. Wedge as many planks as you can into a 32-ounce wide-mouthed glass jar with lid. Discard the rest.
• Combine the cider vinegar, 1 cup water, sugar, salt and aromatics in a saucepot over high heat and bring to a boil. Whisk to dissolve the sugar, then pour over the rinds while hot. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Refrigerate overnight before using. The rinds will keep up to 1 month in the refrigerator.
• For the ouzo spritz: Fill 2 lowball glasses with ice. Place the ouzo, lemon juice, egg whites and pickling liquid in a cocktail shaker without ice. Vigorously shake to froth the egg whites, then strain into the glasses. Top with seltzer and garnish with a spear of pickled watermelon rind and a sprig of mint.

WATERMELON SPRITZY

Steps:

• Put watermelon, lemon-lime soda, and grenadine into a blender.
• Blend for 20 to 30 seconds. Use a strainer to strain into pitcher.
• Divide frozen berries between 4 glasses. Pour juice over berries. Garnish with a straw and a sprig of mint.

CHILE WATERMELON SPRITZER

Steps:

• Puree the watermelon, lime juice, sugar and chile pepper in a blender until very smooth.
• Fill glasses half full with ice, fill halfway with the watermelon juice and add about equal parts (or to taste) of seltzer. Garnish with lime rounds and serve immediately.

WATERMELON VODKA SPRITZER

Steps:

• Muddle watermelon in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, agave nectar, and 1/4 cup ice. Shake for 20 seconds.
• Strain over a collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda.

WATERMELON LIME SPRITZER

Steps:

• Place the watermelon and ice cubes in a blender and blend until liquefied. (Once you add the lemon-lime soda, it will thin out even more, add more ice cubes if you want it slushier.) Slowly add 1/2 of the lemon-lime soda and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, garnish with limes and serve.

WATERMELON MINI-WEDGES

Steps:

• Mix together the sugar, salt and lime zest in a small serving bowl. Put the bowl on a platter, add the watermelon wedges and serve.

WATERMELON SPRITZER

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the watermelon, ice, sugar and lime juice and blend until completely liquid. Pour into a pitcher and top with the seltzer water. Pour into glasses and garnish with mint.

WATERMELON AND MINT SPRITZ FOR KIDS

Steps:

• Add 5 cups of the watermelon cubes (save 1 cup for garnish) to a blender with the lime juice and puree until smooth. Pour into a large measuring cup. Add the Simple Syrup and mint leaves to the blender and puree until the mint leaves turn into green flecks.
• Add ice to 6 glasses and then fill each glass about half full with the watermelon juice. Add a splash of the mint simple syrup to each glass. Top with sparkling water.
• On each skewer, alternate the remaining watermelon cubes and mint leaves. Garnish each drink with a skewer.
• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 1 month.

WATERMELON AND CUCUMBER JUICE WITH A SPRITZ OF LIME

Steps:

• Run the watermelon and cucumber pieces through a juicer following manufacturer's instructions, and place juice into a pitcher. Stir in lime juice, and serve.