Summer cocktails

It’s been a while since I joined in with the LetsLunch crew - you remember them, a group of social media addicts who have a penchant for cooking. Yup, we’ve been having virtual lunches for years now with the players coming and going. Most of the current folks are far more accomplished in food, writing  and photographythan I am, so I have to give them props for keeping this old hack around.

We have a theme each month and this month’s theme is Al fresco dining. Well, around here, Al fresco means; eaten alive by mosquitos. We had a late spring and a very wet summer so as the temperatures finally begin to climb the mosquitos have become veritable pterodactyls. I did, however decide to come up with an option that can either be consumed quickly enough outdoors that you won’t die from blood loss, or if you consume enough, you won’t care. Yes, it’s a cocktail!



























I saw a recipe in my Facebook feed for a watermelon mojito and knew I had to try this one.  I differed from the recipe considerably though, so I will give you mine here.



























Start with a fresh ripe watermelon - preferably seedless but you can remove the seeds.  Cut into small cubes, about a cup and a half for each serving
Place it into a metal cocktail shaker with about 10 leaves of fresh mint per serving. (I got these from my garden)



























Muddle the mint and watermelon together until the mint is thoroughly crushed and the watermelon is mostly liquid.

Strain the mixture into an 8 ounce cocktail glass, add crushed ice and pour a jigger of white rum over. garnish with a watermelon slice and a paper umbrella if you have one. I always have them on hand, just for fun. You can pick up a package at the dollar store. Crazy straws are also a fun addition, but only when the kids are not around!

This is a great pre-dinner summer cocktail, it’s cool, minty, and sweet at the same time and wonderfully summery. The recipe I saw added sugar but honestly, I didn’t feel that this needed and sugar at all.  The sweetness of the watermelon was enough and sugar would only dilute the wonderful addition of mint.



























Cheers!