Ripe, peak-season watermelon is one of the best things about summer, and here it takes the leading role in a slushy cocktail. This drink balances and brightens watermelon juice with tart citrus in juice and liqueur form, then uses the freezer to slushify the whole bottle – a perfect fruity brain freeze that isn’t so boozy it’ll knock you out before you get poolside. The cocktail contains enough alcohol and sugar that it shouldn’t freeze hard, but if your freezer runs cold and the drink comes out more solid, give it a minute or two, as well as a good shake, and you’ll have the consistency you’re looking for. You can serve as is in a chilled coupe, or over cracked ice in a rocks glass for texture if you prefer.
Make ahead: Chill the drink in the freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.
Storage: Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Where to buy: Cold-pressed watermelon juice, such as the WTRMLN brand, can be found at well-stocked supermarkets or made in a blender, then strained.
Ingredients
Servings: 6 (makes about 3 cups/720 milliliters)
Directions
Active:
5 mins|
Total: 4 hours , including time to partially freeze
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Step 1
In a wide-mouthed 1-liter jar, combine the lemon and watermelon juices, the simple syrup, gin and limoncello. Seal it and shake to combine. Transfer to the freezer for at least 4 hours.
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Step 2
Before serving, chill however many coupe or martini glasses you need. Remove the jar from the freezer and, if necessary, let the mixture sit at room temperature for a few minutes until shakeable and pourable – it should be the consistency of a thick slush. Serve in the chilled coupe or martini glasses, garnished with lemon, watermelon or mint, if desired.
Substitutions
Citrus-forward gin >> citrus-flavored vodka.
Notes
To make your own watermelon juice, place 1 1/2 cups watermelon chunks in a blender and process until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the solids.
