watermelon basil mojito
Happy Saturday, nerds. Bottoms up?
Melons are slowly filing out of grocery stores, so let’s give them one last hoorah with a Watermelon Basil Mojito. I am growing so eager to start with fall concepts but I won’t let summer totally fall off the cliff just because school restarts (and the insanity at work, sniff) and some of the produce is trickling away in favor of new arrivals. Still got lots of good, hot weather noms to enjoy.
Thursday and Friday this week I was beyond my normal amount of tired. Like, crash by 11 tired, got home and milled like a zombie through my tests and computer work, wanted to eat a whole jar of peanut butter and a box of Golden Grahams. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary earlier in the day, just a usual run + lift, typical breakfast, worked my shift. J had the same zombielike ambience about him, and a few of my coworkers also complained of unusual fatigue. Something in the air? The beginnings of autumn coziness drifting in and mellowing our nervous systems?
No, probably not. Just life, man.
We enjoyed Pineapple Mojitos together earlier in the summer, so let’s bring back our rum, lime, and minty friend with a watermelon and basil accompaniment. Like most of my cocktails, this one is fast and easy, just a little muddling. Enjoy a glass nice and slow, hopefully around good people.
Melon Mania
To start, I make a little juice from fresh watermelon chinks, the basil, and mint. Muddle them together in a shaker and strain into a little bowl or glass. This creates a base gently infused with the herbal essences.
Only thing to do after that is stir or shake in some lime juice, agave, and the rum. I always like to shake, as if serving James Bond.
If you like to rim your glasses like I do, I chose a simply chili sugar for the decoration. Chili and watermelon is an unreal combination. Sounds weird, tastes epic. Trust me, yo.
Throw in a watermelon wedge, some ice, and fill the glass to the brim with your mojito. I finish with a couple sprigs of basil and mint for extra fragrance. A little ginger beer wouldn’t hurt, either, if you’re feeling it.
Here’s hoping for good sleep, swell company, and a happy weekend.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Freshen up with these lively summer drinks:
watermelon basil mojito
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup watermelon chunks
- 4 large basil leaves
- 4 mint leaves
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 2-3 tsp agave, or to taste
- 2 oz rum
chili sugar
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the lip of a cocktail glass. Toss the sugar and chili powder together on a small plate, then dip and swirl the glass into the sugar to coat the rim. Shake off excess.
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the watermelon, basil, and mint leaves until well crushed. Strain the juice onto a small bowl or glass. You should get about 1/4 cup of juice. Discard the solids.
- Pour the watermelon juice into the rimmed cocktail glass. Stir in the lime juice, agave, and rum until combined. Fill the glass with ice.
- Garnish with additional mint and basil leaves, and watermelon wedge, as desired.
