Watermelon Mojitos! If summer had an official drink, this would be it: Sweet watermelon muddled with fresh mint leaves, lime juice and rum! It’s the perfect cocktail for poolside gatherings or summer parties — make a couple for an at-home “happy hour” or mix up a pitcher for a crowd!
Ask {on social media} and you shall receive. That’s how the saying goes, right?
A few weeks ago {on National Mojito Day, to be exact.} I outed myself on Instagram as a horrible mixologist. It’s puzzling to me that I have no problem putting together a recipe or identifying harmonious flavor profiles, and yet, when it comes to mixing a cocktail, I fall incredibly flat. {Which is 95% of the reason why I stick to wine and straight bourbon when I’m left to my own devices.}
I have some sort of bartender’s block when faced with the myriad of potential cocktail combinations. And it’s about time that changes!
So, like I said, I put out an SOS on Instagram, and lo and behold, a follower reached out to tell me that her husband would be happy to help me out with my issues with cocktail development. {Super essential life skill, by the way.}
As if the kind gesture wasn’t cool enough, it gets even better: It turns out her husband isn’t just an average Joe with a knack for knocking ’em back; cocktail culture is in his blood.
His grandfather was responsible for creating the famed drinks at Mai Kai, a South Florida landmark since 1956. {It’s such a fun spot to visit! Check out this article about “the Godfather of Polynesian grog”, as one article calls him.} Clearly, I couldn’t turn down the offer of assistance.
Since I knew I’d be posting something around the time of “National Watermelon Day”, I asked if he could help me come up with something light and summery featuring the season’s most iconic fruit. And just like that, he sent over an off-the-cuff, summer-fied version of one of my favorite cocktails {when it’s done right}: The Watermelon Mojito.
This cocktail is everything you want in a summer beverage. It’s light, refreshing and cooling. Like a blast of A/C for your taste buds. Plus, THAT COLOR. Think they can match a nail polish to a cocktail? Because I’d be down to rock that all summer long.
The ingredients are pretty straightforward: Watermelon, mint, rum and a squeeze of lime, sweetened with a dash {or a glug, depending on how sweet you like your drinks} of light agave nectar or simple syrup and a splash of fizzy club soda.
Though there’s “muddling” involved, don’t let that deter you from giving it a go — you’ll just want to smoosh things together a bit to let the mint release its oil and lend that little bit of refreshing flavor to the mix, nothing too crazy.
The frozen blueberries are completely optional, but I like how they act as “ice cubes” and give a touch of color that reminds me of the dark seeds in a typical watermelon.
I can imagine serving these up poolside, sunnies on and feet kicked up. They’re a delicious little bevvy to serve up at a tropical-themed party or an easy way to brighten up an at-home happy hour.
I’m so glad I confessed to my libation limitations out loud, because otherwise I wouldn’t have whipped up this cocktail with confidence. {Thanks so much for the recipe and inspiration, Jodi and Tony!}
Now get thee a muddler {although you can totally use the end of a wooden spoon}, and up your cocktail game before the summer ends. Cheers!
Make It a Mocktail
Want to try an alcohol-free version of this cocktail? Omit the rum or replace with an ounce of watermelon juice, kombucha or an alcohol-free spirit alternative such as Lyre’s, Seedlip or Ritual.
Watermelon Mojitos
1 comment
Tony Licudine
I love it. Thanks for sharing. This was my own concoction, but I have so much more from the “vault” that I’d like to dive into. Let’s do this again!
Tony Licudine