Watermelon Daiquiri

watermelondaiquiriLast weekend we found ourselves sipping on these. It's not like the weather was nice enough in any way, that it would have warranted having such a cool and refreshing cocktail. But the watermelon has been so sweet and I bought so many of those baby seedless ones at the store, I had to do something with them!

I've also always associated the daiquiri as being a frozen drink. However, after a little research, it's really the name for a family of cocktails whose main ingredients include rum, lime and sugar. Maybe I'm just feeling like I'm still on vacation in Florida, close to where the daiquiri became well known.

Story has it the daiquiri was invented by an American mining engineer who was in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. There is an iron mine in Cuba named daiquiri as well as a beach....hmmm, sounds like we have a connection. Miner...working in an iron mine...needs a drink after work...has only these ingredients in the pantry...proclaims it the daiquiri...shares it with all his friends...gains worldwide popularity? Are you feeling the connection?

Anyway, enjoy this drink, it was no nice to sip on!! This could also be made without the alcohol if you choose, making it a great option for any guests who might not be drinking. It would still taste great.

Watermelon Daiquiri

Recipe from: Slightly adapted from Sunset Magazine | Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped Watermelon plus more for garnish
  • 6 Tablespoons Light Rum
  • 1-1/2 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon Lime zest

Directions

  • Puree 2 cups chopped watermelon and strain (I did this in my food processor). Mix watermelon juice with rum, sugar, lime juice and zest in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake and strain into two small tumblers.
  • Garnish with watermelon slices.

Cathy owns a vineyard and winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  She is a food writer for Davis Life Magazine and blogs daily about wine, food and everyday living.  She lives with her husband and two sons.  You can visit her at noblepig.com.