It’s The Official, Unofficial Start of Summer!
Time to make every spare minute feel like vacation! Let’s get to the fun stuff summer is made of. Two of my favorites are starring in this one. It’s a party in a bowl! This is a fun to make and serve take on the Watermelon Margarita!
Almost nothing is more iconic in summer than a gorgeous watermelon. They are beautiful, cooling and filled with sweet deliciousness! And, might I say, just begging to be accompanied by a bit of Tequila and Lime! Why not empty one out and make a party bowl. Here’s how I did it!
The Scoop 🍉
Choose a watermelon that’s about 10 pounds. If it won’t sit flat on on side, make a small slice in the rind to level. Cut the melon near the top so that there is plenty of room to fill the rind with slushy watermelon, tequila, lime and triple sec. Save the top of the watermelon and cut shapes out to float on top of the bowl.
Using a melon baller or large scoop (I used an ice cream scoop) make a many round melon balls as you can. Lay them out on a baking tray covered in parchment paper. Freeze about one hour. When frozen you can put them all together in a freezer bag until ready to use.
Remove the rest of the fruit and juice. Process on blender or food processor until all blended and slushy. If you have a large cube ice tray, fill with some of the watermelon juice and slush for another use. For decoration, trace a star or any other shape onto the rind you’ve cut off. These will float on the margarita bowl.
The Fill-Up 🍉
Fill the watermelon shell with the frozen melon balls. Then, pour 4 cups fresh pureed watermelon. Add one cup fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, 1 1/2 cup tequila and 1/2 cup triple sec or Grand Marnier. You can use it just processed or you can take the time to strain only the juice and discard the “pulp” I used all the slush in my version. Taste and adjust with either more simple syrup or lime.
Serve in your favorite margarita glasses, rimmed with salt and lime. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and or a lime wheel. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 10 lb ripe seedless watermelon
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1/2 cup triple sec or Grand Marnier
- 1/2 cup simple syrup*
- 4 cups pureed watermelon
- salt
- extra limes for garnish
For simple syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Choose a watermelon that’s about 10 pounds. If it won’t sit flat on on side, make a small slice in the rind to level. Cut the melon near the top so that there is plenty of room to fill with the margarita mixture. Save the top of the watermelon and cut shapes out to float on top of the bowl or to make wedges of watermelon for garnish later.
- Using a melon baller or large scoop make a many round melon balls as you can. Lay them out on a baking tray covered in parchment paper. Freeze about one hour. When frozen you can put them all together in a freezer bag until ready to use.
- Remove the rest of the fruit and juice. Process on blender or food processor until all blended and slushy. For decoration, trace a star or any other shape onto the rind you've cut off. These will float on the margarita bowl.
For the Margaritas
- Fill the watermelon shell with the frozen melon balls. Then, pour 4 cups fresh pureed watermelon. Add one cup fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, 1 1/2 cup tequila and 1/2 cup triple sec or Grand Marnier. You can use it just processed or you can take the time to strain only the juice and discard the "pulp".
For the Salt Rim
- zest one lime and mix with 1/2 cup salt. Mix well, then put on a small plate. Rim glasses with lime juice, then roll rim in zesty salt.
- Serve in your favorite margarita glasses, rimmed with salt and lime. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and or a lime wheel. Enjoy!
- *simple syrup: in a small saucepan combine sugar and water on medium heat. Bring to simmer then cool completely. Keep refrigerated
This is the first holiday weekend of the summer, but the significance of the day is never to be forgotten. With all my heart and sole, I thank the unbelievably brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us. But today especially, for the ones who did not return.
