Summer…is full of seasonal yummy fruits and freshness. Since our summers in Seattle are such a delight, I take advantage of every opportunity I can, to find the freshest produce for my drinks and the food I prepare for my family and friends. This cocktail, is as summer as it gets. The fresh Watermelon, the complex simple syrup comprised of fresh seasonal fruits, mint, ginger…..so very elegant, tasty, refreshing and beautiful. I hope you can make some time and grab a hold of summer with this one. Here’s how I made it:
In a cocktail shaker (do you notice a recurring theme here?)
- Add 2-3 ice cubes
- 2 1/2 Shots Vodka
- 8 Shots Fresh “juiced” Watermelon
- 1 Shot Complex Simple Syrup – see recipe below
- Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice – half a lemon
Shake this up and place in your freezer to get Fruzhenglazeny..It will be worth the wait. OH so ThirstQuesty…slushy goodness.
The secret to this delicious, refreshing drink is the fresh Watermelon juice and the complex simple syrup. The prep is a bit more involved…but you can make this syrup a few days ahead and keep it in your fridge. It will develop it’s flavor.
Recipe for Complex Simple Syrup:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Water
- 3-4 large chunks fresh ginger
- 3-4 fresh mint sprigs
- 6-8 fresh cherries – I used Bing and Mt. Rainier (cut in half)
- 1 Wedge of fresh orange
- 1 Wedge of fresh lemon
Simmer this on the stove for a half hour or so. Make sure you let it steep to develop it’s flavor. Once room temp, place in a glass or plastic container in the fridge.
Watermelon – If you have a juicer, this is best. If not…a blender will work. (just run the juice from the blender through a strainer to get rid of some of the pulp) Juice your Watermelon and keep it in the fridge. You will need at least 8 shots of this juice to make a full cocktail shaker.
Serving – The key to this fun drink is the “glass”..in fact, it is not a glass at all…but rather, an “Ice Vessel”. I purchased these cute little ice cups called “Mini Ice Glasses” (source for these will follow…) They are little “molds” shaped like little shot glasses. You can freeze juice and make juice cups..in this case, I froze water. Once the glasses are frozen… let the molds set at room temp to loosen. If you try to run them under warm water…they will crack. Hard to pour a sweet libation into a cracked glass…hmm?
Once your ice shot glasses are loosened…it will be time to pull that fruity concoction from the freezer…Shake it well… Place the ice shot glasses on a metal tray. They melt!!! I keep my metal tray in the freezer to slow down the melty time. This is a fun Party Shot….one you can do with the right timing! Fill each shot glass with the mixture and garnish with a small lemon wedge and mint leaf. If you don’t want to buy and make the ice glasses…this drink is gorgeous as a martini in a very cold glass.
Drink it in ThirstQuest Peeps…DRINK IT IN!!! You will be SO happy you fussed over this one….and so will your guests. Cheers!
For Virgin Version: Eliminate the Vodka
To Make It Special: UM…I think a little ice vessel is pretty special!! Just Sayin’! But…the garnish of lemon and mint is sa-weet We don’t like naked drinks.
